Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi,

I know this is probably a very simple problem, but I don`t understand links,2-way links, 3-way links, backlinks, etc.  Which hold the most weight?  Are the directories where I have listed my site considered backlinks?  How important is it to exchange links with other sites with similiar content?  Is there anyone else out there that prefers not to have a page with links? I`ve received many offers to swap links.  (I think I`ve over-used the ? symbol).   

Thanks!?

I should also explain better where my confusion comes from.  When I search to see how many backlinks I have they show up different numbers in Google (31), Yahoo (623),  Altvisa (635) and MSN (0).  Some of the backlinks are products or sections from my own site.  Thanks.

Google does not show all the back links on Google. You will have different # on different search engines. 

Reciprical links are not highly valued. One-way in-bound link is the best, three way is good. Directories are good.. stay away from "link farms".

There still is a potential benefit of link exchanges... getting traffic from the site wih which you exchange links. So, exchanging with a hight traffic site that is compatable and relevant to your site can still be ok.

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

Thanks Roland.  So, is a link in a directory or a post on a forum or blog that allows me to post my Web address, considered a one-way inbound link?  Is that the same as a backlink? Thanks.

 

Yes... and a tip:

If allowed, use a keyword/phrase instead of your domain name as the text link.

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

Thanks Roland, I have never heard that before.  Like this?  Women`s lingerie.  I`ve got some work to do and some SuN listings to change.   I knew this forum was a good place to ask the question.

V.

Yes.. like that.....

Change your signature on SUN to include a link.

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

Another great thing about SuN.  I started out asking one question and not only did I get the answer I needed, I got a great tip from a very helpful member, that I didn`t even ask for! 

It`s very important to exchange links with sites that are topically relevant to your own. It helps define your niche and will carry more weight in increasing your relevance around that topic - find niche directories perhaps, or areas where topics that relate to your store are discussed - blogs that talk about your type of products, industry groups (clothing, etc.), that type of thing. Directories can be valuable, but will only take you so far.

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chuck fuller

Links on blogrolls, especially among a network of blogs relevant to your topic, are very good to have - though you`ll need to reciprocate a bit not only with links, but with good content to maintain your presence within the blogosphere of choice.  Basically, start a blog, keep it up to date with good content, and find out who else is of like mind, is discussing topics you`re interested in, or supplements your information with some of their own.

By the way, it might be difficult to maintain a tastefully and fun "business" theme with the keywords and key phrases you`re likely to deal with, without showing up in search engines surround by undesirables - all the more important for you to create and promote a series of articles and discussion around your product, its benefits and target client usage and lifestyle, using words and phrases you think would be valuable and leveraged by your customers and business partners (vs. those that might pop up in related spam). Control your own media and search engine listings!