Link Exchange anyone? (Full Version)

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michaelea -> Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 13:32:40)

Hi, I've spent - a while - putting up 31/2 websites but have never got involved with any link exchanges.

"I need more Visitors" and have read and heard that - valid - link exchange is one of the better ways to achieve this.

I hesitate to put up the name of my sites due to spam considerations but....

Would anyone be interested in trading links with me for my computer service and support based sites? Or, what is the best way to go about finding people who would be willing to exchange links?

*remvoed per request of poster*

The 1st reference above is the best "Page Rank" on Google - Whatever that means!

This is a blatant request for help with getting visitors to my sites. I will be a bit choosy about who I link with but would kinda like to find someone either in the same boat as me or, someone with a hugely popular site willing to do "pro bono" !!!

thank for your time reading my help request.



Tailslide -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 14:18:52)

Michael - I'm not convinced that backlinks mean a lot any more to Google (I'm willing to be corrected though as I'm no SE expert!).

I notice that you seem to have a blog on your site - I personally think that's an excellent way to attract people into your site. Maybe push that side of things?



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 14:47:01)

quote:

Michael - I'm not convinced that backlinks mean a lot any more to Google (I'm willing to be corrected though as I'm no SE expert!).

- Backlinks are still HUGE. The logic of popular websites are those that are being linked to, still holds true today. The more links you have, the more popular your website is. The more relevant links you have (relevant to the content of your page), the higher you will stand. The major change between now and 5 years ago, is that the algo used to rank a website, takes into account much more than just a single backlink. Google has to deal with link farms, and irrelevant backlinks now - link farms is something that most likely wasn't thought of during the initial design of the algo.

Going to your site, Tailslide, I notice it ranks #2 for "Website Design in Bedford"

The 1st spot is a website that has 150 backlinks, while your site is a little more than half that.

There is a large trend between the number of backlinks, and your search engine rank.



Tailslide -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 15:43:23)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BobbyDouglas

- Backlinks are still HUGE.


As I said - I'm willing to be wrong about this - but I'm not convinced that the majority of backlinks are worth it - unless you can get really quality backlinks.

quote:

ORIGINAL: BobbyDouglas

Going to your site, Tailslide, I notice it ranks #2 for "Website Design in Bedford"

The 1st spot is a website that has 150 backlinks, while your site is a little more than half that.


*Shrug* - number two for that phrase is fine by me - and I'm number one on my other key phrase with as you say not very many links.

I'm still a believer that relevancy of content is more important than backlinks (apart from high quality links - authorative ones from, say, a governing body etc) because of the whole link farm thing.



jurgen -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 17:01:55)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Tailslide

I'm still a believer that relevancy of content is more important than backlinks (apart from high quality links - authorative ones from, say, a governing body etc) because of the whole link farm thing.


I have to agree with Tail. I haven't done anything on linking for ages. Rather putting the attention to the content. And no dropping because of links or missing links.



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 17:08:41)

quote:

and I'm number one on my other key phrase with as you say not very many links.

- What is the other key phrase?

A site with decent content, and tons of backlinks, would rank higher than a site with good content, and few backlinks. Google can't interpret the content of your page, it's just a computer. It relies on real people to determine if your page is worthy (done via backlinks).

You would rank the same with Google, if your content was changed from:

"Little Blue Plane specialises in high quality, affordable Website Design for small and growing businesses in Bedford and the wider Bedfordshire area."

to

"Little Blue Plane specialises in high quality cars, affordable Website Design peas for small and growing businesses in Pizaa, except for Bedford and the wider Bedfordshire area."

Google can't tell what you're doing, so they can't rank your page mainly on content. They rely on the people to do it, and the people show it is good content by linking to the content.

quote:

I'm still a believer that relevancy of content is more important than backlinks

- Examples? I just did a Google search for "cell phones" and found that the top spots are displayed with the number of backlinks in descending order. The 2nd listing in the results have 125,000 backlinks, but the majority of them are not relevant, when compared to the 1st spot that has 82,000



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 17:16:19)

quote:

I have to agree with Tail. I haven't done anything on linking for ages. Rather putting the attention to the content. And no dropping because of links or missing links.

- You have more backlinks than the website below you. If you look at the type of websites that come up, they appear to be large directory type websites. Your website should rank higher, because of your quality content. But if you have a competitor that has decent content, and they have more than the handful of backlinks that you have, they will immediately rank higher than you, and bump you down to #2.

Based on the search results, I don't really see any websites that are direct competitors.

All you need is decent content, with lots of backlinks, and the SE will take you far.



Tailslide -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 17:22:45)

Goodness Bobby - you tire me out just reading all the research you've done this evening!! Far too late to do that!

My second key phrase is "bedfordshire website design" although I still come out first for "website design in Bedfordshire" (apart from the top sponsored ad).

I do well in results because I localise and I have relevant content - not because of links to my site. I've probably got about 4 really authorative links to my site (from web design gallery type sites and from Accessites and GAWDS) but none of the other few have any real authority. I don't think that 4 authorative links would have helped much.




BobbyDouglas -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 17:36:30)

quote:

Goodness Bobby - you tire me out just reading all the research you've done this evening!! Far too late to do that!

- Been on the phone for the past 2 hours, multitasking [8D]

If the #2 spot for "website design in Bedfordshire" added more instances of the word "Bedfordshire" within their content (even if it doesn't make sense in the location it is at), your site will be bumped below it due to their massive list of backlinks.

The keyword "Bedfordshire" is only listed in your competitor's page once. The only reason that company ranks so high in the results, despite having only a SINGLE instance of "Bedfordshire", are the backlinks.

If that #2 spot adds "Bedfordshire" to their title, and another to the page somewhere, I bet they will be #1.



michaelea -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 18:06:09)

Hmmmmm.

Thanks All for all the interesting info. to digest.

I was sure glad I didn't subscribe to link farms as I never lost squat after Google's recent round of alg changes. That's also why I've kinda stayed away from reciprocal links. I did notice that 2 or 3 of my "Google Page" Competitors dropped off the list last month too. Hah!

I'm kinda like Tailslide too - for the local hit success - in as much as "On-Site Computer Services in Oregon" gets me there on Google 1st page but "On-Site Computer Services" or "Computer Services" I'm nowhere to be found!

For what it's worth I find Google's Webmaster Tools to be really good info about the how's where's what's and when's of what searches your site comes up for and also where it's placed for those searches. I've had tons of hits for a Symantec AV Tech Support article I wrote ages ago. I never intended for it to be so widely "long-tailed" searched for but...it worked. So, I featured that article into a full page on my site - rather than my blog - and that worked! I'd never have known if it wasn't for Google's Webmaster tools.

I also use free realtime tracking from re-invigorate.net as well - for many websites.

Thanks for all the info. everyone - Im still unsure!!!



jurgen -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/14/2007 18:12:13)

Guess you have heard 2 different opinions. If you ask 3 more people you will hear 3 more opinions. Stay healthy in the middle.... good content and a few good back links will get you pretty far ahead. And once your competitions gets to close find out what they are doing different.... [8|]



Tailslide -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/15/2007 2:29:24)


quote:

ORIGINAL: jurgen

Guess you have heard 2 different opinions. If you ask 3 more people you will hear 3 more opinions. Stay healthy in the middle.... good content and a few good back links will get you pretty far ahead. And once your competitions gets to close find out what they are doing different.... [8|]


It's the Voice of Reason!! [sm=bowdown.gif]



Nicole -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/15/2007 3:35:36)

I discovered last night that I'm ranking #1 for all useful phrases to do with Kempsey and Nambucca and the business I'm in (left out because Outfront used to beat me when I mention the phrase together), it may not be a huge area, about 50,000 people, but I haven't changed a thing on my site for ages and now I'm number 1. No backlinks except from sites I've done, Outfront and one or two other forums.



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/15/2007 15:17:13)

Mojo, Brian? I'm interested to hear what you guys have to say about the value of backlinks...

The only competitor I see listed for Ke_mp_sey (and the w_e_b d_esign phrase), is symdesign dot com.

Their site has fewer backlinks, and no content.

Although you may have only a couple backlinks, the competitor below you, has none. Google reads the content for the site, and notices that the word "k_em_psey" is mentioned twice, both are links to the .org site of that location. It isn't the backlinks that got you to #1, it is your lack of decent competition online.

Decent content, and lots of backlinks, will get more websites, higher rankings.

quote:

Outfront used to beat me when I mention the phrase together

The reason why Outfront would beat you, is because Google see's the Outfront page with the specific key phrase (most likely 2-3 times in the page), and then looks at the fact the page probably has tons of backlinks.

I bet if we mentioned the specific key phrases in here, you would be bumped back down in the SE results due to the massive amount of backlinks that would be associated with this page.



Mojo -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/19/2007 13:31:40)

Backlinks are still the most important aspect to ranking well in the search engines. There are many examples showing this to be the case. Probably the biggest clue is Google's war on text link ads. They have been aggressive in spreading their message that if you buy links - they will catch you and punish your site. There is a good reason as to why Google has waged this fairly successful campaign... . Everyone would do well to remember that Google is a for profit company and is not in the business of making the Internet a welcoming place for small/medium sized businesses.

The more people that believe Google's FUD program the better - and not for the reasons you may think.



michaelea -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/19/2007 15:22:01)

Sorry to be - ignorant - but what does FUD stand for?

Thanks.



michaelea -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/19/2007 15:23:31)

quote:

Google is a for profit company and is not in the business of making the Internet a welcoming place for small/medium sized businesses.


I would certainly agree with that. Never have I seen it so succinctly stated. Thanks!



Mojo -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/20/2007 10:33:35)

FUD = Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear%2C_uncertainty_and_doubt



DebSpecs -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/23/2007 15:46:47)

I'll exchange links with you. I like your site. We're not directly related to your product, but not in competition either. Hell, i'm not going to look to much into it. I'm in if you're interested. :) DebSpecs.com



michaelea -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/23/2007 23:34:40)

That's great DebSpecs... I'm in too. Computer glasses, Computer services - what's the difference to Google?

Paraphrasing BobbyDouglas above:

quote:

"Little Blue Plane specialises in high quality, affordable Website Design for small and growing businesses in Bedford and the wider Bedfordshire area."

to

"Little Blue Plane specialises in high quality cars, affordable Website Design peas for small and growing businesses in Pizaa, except for Bedford and the wider Bedfordshire area."


I'm hoping that Google sees the word "computer" and figures that we both have a legitimate back-link interest! - And it should, and we do....

Thanks.



Mojo -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/27/2007 11:02:52)

A simple link is not nearly as effective as a content hosted link. What I mean is this - write up an article about your product or service and have your linking partner host that article on their site. They can either make a new page or blend it in with content on an existing page. Within this article that is focused on the subject of your site you will add a link or two back to your site. Your linking partner will need to link to the content hosted page. It works even better if the links are not reciprocal.

This is a much more powerful solution that simply dropping a link to your site. The site hosting the link also gets the added benefit of having additional content.



michaelea -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/27/2007 23:05:25)

What a grand idea and oh, the simplicity and obviousness of it. How on earth could I have missed that before...!

I guess I've become so disillusioned from putting so many hours and days and months into my site(s) and not receiving any really significant gains in "visitors". Admittedly, I never have put any effort at all into backlinks of any kind and am only now starting - to be forced - to realize that this is a good way to get increased rankings in search engines.

I was beginning to think my sites had nothing to offer the "rest of the internet world"!

Mant thanks to everyone who contributed and, continues to contribute advice, direction, experience and pearls of wisdom to this post.



michaelea -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (11/29/2007 2:49:17)

Here's a link that y'all might get something from...

http://www.jimboykin.com/site-backlinks/

It generated a fair bit of discussion and has some food for thought as well.

I hope you find it interesting as I did...



rdouglass -> RE: Link Exchange anyone? (12/12/2007 8:51:54)

quote:

Probably the biggest clue is Google's war on text link ads. They have been aggressive in spreading their message that if you buy links - they will catch you and punish your site.


Mojo,

Any chance you could elaborate on this a little or provide a link or two of info? I for one am not at all sure of what this means.



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