How important are links to developing a quality website? Do they still play any kind of important role in search engine optimization? There are many today that could argue that linking to other website is old news. But I would like to make a case for the importance of links to your website.
There was a day, not too long ago, when you could get all the important links you needed by just buying them from a service. You could add a couple of relevant links from sites that had a good PageRank, and you were in business. It did not take Google long to start "discrediting" this type of link. To make matters worse, you had plenty of scam artists out there offering to sell you instant SEO link success for $99. So, people began moving away from trying to trade links.
There is still a place, though, for good links (in and out) for your website. The secret is keeping them relevant. As far as outgoing links go, make sure you are adding links that make sense for your site, and have a PageRank of 3 or better. Add a couple, and you are good to go. One good rule of thumb is, add outbound links to sites that you read, and you use to learn.
In terms of incoming links, you can also get into trouble from doing too much "one for one" linking. It is far better to get your links from quality material, that people bookmark or comment on. If you do add inbound "link trades," you again need to make sure the links are relevant. Don't add links from a hardware store to a cupcake website. Simple enough.
Be careful with links that are placed in comments also. The world only needs so many links to free credit reports, quick loans, and herbal remedies.
That's our take,
Johnny Smoes
SEO Experts Australia
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Exactly. I have some of my websites that I keep as “index/do follow”, but I am still amazed at how many people try to link to my IT company website. Fortunately, I don’t just auto approve any comment. Appreciate the article.
ReplyDeleteKeeping links relevant and limited is the key for me - if you only link to things that actually give your users added value content you'll get a much much better response. JP
ReplyDeleteThere’s nothing more annoying than irrelevant website links. They achieve nothing but annoying your visitors. If you need to have ads, I’d choose a relevant click banner over 1000 irrelevant links.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, as long as website links are relevant and in short supply it can be very beneficial!
ReplyDelete"Be careful with links that are placed in comments also"... sorry about this one then, but I think it's relevant. http://www.mastergoogle.com/blog/natural-link-building-links-from-blog-postscomments.php - and indepth look at ways to create natural links to and from your website!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link Sue, good way to get around the website links problem!
ReplyDelete“The secret is keeping them relevant”… that sums it up right there. Keep website links relevant and you’ll be fine
ReplyDeleteJust keep an eye on links in comments and things like that and youll be fine
ReplyDelete...Although that comment appeared straight away so I guess you dont have moderation in place. Best to put that on to stop unwanted links!
ReplyDeleteSo Chad, does that mean I can say anything in these comments? Haha! No seriosuly, good article about links, I agree!
ReplyDeleteHow important are links? Less important than a balanced diet, that's how!
ReplyDeleteWeb links are very important. There's a good 'how to' guide here: http://www.build-your-website.co.uk/website-links.htm
ReplyDeleteYour concepts were easy to understand that I wondered why I never looked at it prior to.
ReplyDeleteGlad to find out that there's a blogger out there that certainly understands what he's discussing.
Excellent work.