Cross Linking sites with our two companies

Can this do any harm in search engines?

[lindavh]

I have been reading these boards for a couple of months now and for some reason am hesitant about cross linking the url from my first site with my new (second) site that I am about to publish.

The existing (first) site is the same type and catagory of business as the new (second) site, but we are starting a new company in the same industry with a different product offered and would like an exclusive site for the new product.

I dont' want to do anything to jepordize my ranking in Google (existing first site) and for some reason recall that cross linking sites is not a good idea. Is that true?

Thank you for your suggestions in advance,

Linda

[tigger]

so long as it's not a mirror site I can't see a problem I've two sites linking up and the SE's(Google)have picked up the links fine, just make sure there hosted on different servers

[edited by: tigger at 7:23 am (utc) on July 26, 2002]

[Marcia]

Linda, just be careful about interlinking all the interior pages across with each other. Take a very conservative approach.

Web designers generally put a link back to their site on every page of a site they do, to the homepage of their design site, and link out to sites from their portfolio page. That's normal, but there was even question (OK, paranoia) about that last December. And at one point, I believe I remember interior pages of some sites linking back not showing in the backlinks for one month.

I'm trying to think back, I think I remember that being the month my site dropped from #2 or 3 to around # 17. It went back up again, it wasn't a penalty, but if I'm correct remembering I think the interior links just weren't counted. I could be wrong, it's been a few months.

I don't think I'd go any further than that, but I'm a coward, even more cautious with client sites. I've got a group of sites that should without a doubt be linked to each other because they're all on theme, and I still don't.

[edited by: Marcia at 7:18 am (utc) on July 26, 2002]

[Brett_Tabke]

Is it going to help visitors use your site?

Yes - then don't worry about it - do what you gotta do.
No - then don't do it.

[Lisa]

Brett just nailed it! Links are for people and then everything just flows. If your only reason for the links is PR and Google then don't do it.

[lindavh]

Thank you everyone for the advice!
I just have to say...you are all so generous here...it is such a wonderful environment to be a part of and I truly appreciate you.
That said, I just finished my new single page website...with lot's of text...no pictures yet...the product is in production. Waiting for it to propagate and then yippee a new site to submit and promote.
The new site is definitely related to my first site...same industry...different new product to offer. Both sites relate to each other and it would be in the interest of both the customer and the provider to have links to each other...they are related and only serve to give the consumer another choice of product/service...
So...I will be careful with the internal pages as suggested by Marcia.... and will link only when I think it is beneficial to the end user.
Thanks again,
Linda