When I have a thought that I feel may help directory owners, I always post it here before it slips my mind. So, here goes nothing . . . . Before I begin, I want to clarify that I do not mean to single-out Aviva or Bigweblinks. I am using their interrelationship as an example simply because I suspect that all directory owners are very familiar with each of these directories. Currently, Jeff is bidding $1,388 for the #10 spot on the Bigweblinks home page. If this were a one-way, PR7 link, I wouldn't think twice about the obvious value from such a highly relevant purchase. HOWEVER, it is not a one-way link. Chris is currently paying for a return link to Bigweblinks on www.avivadirectory.com/Directories/Quality/. Here is the $64,000 (well, more like the $1,388) question: Why would Jeff pay $1,388 for what is nothing more than a reciprocal link that Google devalues? Wouldn't it make more sense for Jeff and Chris to figure out a one-way link exchange (no bidding amounts involved, so as to maintain the integrity of the bidding directory)? The link value to each would be much higher, and neither would have to spend any cash or worry about monitoring bid positions--EVER! This is merely one example of a confusing phenomenon that exists between the majority of directories. Hopefully, directory owners can work together to arrange one-way exchanges, which will: a. increase the strength of each directory; b. make each directory more attractive to buyers; c. offer buyers a better value; d. save directory owners' time and money, which they can redirect towards improving and expanding the directories in interesting ways; e. create more separation between the quality and crappy directories; f. perhaps, most importantly, help to ease the notion that the entire directory industry is essentially a giant, interlinking mass with little value. Just my 3¢. Hope it helps.
That is not purchase based on PR, but on targeted traffic that converts. Think again, would you pay $1400 for one way pr7 link based on pr only? Some people prefer to pay what they want instead of making some exchanges and deals that might end up bad. Simply pay and not worry about it. Just my 2 cents, not facts.
One-way links would bring the same traffic, plus higher SERPS. Again, one-way links would bring the same traffic, but higher SERPS.
Jeff won't get a reciprocal link from the homepage of bigweblinks in exchange of a link in a subcategory in aviva. that explain the investment. You raised an interesting point about interlinking between directories (I will submit to your directories, because you submit to mine. many directoies owners focus essentially on other owners to sell their links, ...) but I don't think that you picked up a good example here.
Geez, tough crowd. I specifically mentioned, multiple times, that it is merely a quick example to communicate the general point that directory owners are spending big dollars on recriprocal links that could become one-way links with a little cooperation. I'm sorry that I did not invest more hours in finding a dollar-for-dollar example involving exactly equivalent pages.
Yes, it would, but only for one of them. These are two directories that gets lot of traffic. So it's more beneficial to both of them to get traffic from the other. With a one-way link the traffic will only go one way, plus its targetted traffic so their conversions must be quite good.
I specifically stated "work out an arrangement," meaning that, obviously, the reasoned arrangement would be mutually beneficial to both directory owners. For example, each directory owner would receive a one-way link from a PR6 home page. I will remind you again that my example is only a sample scenario that plays out in probably thousands of different cases. Please don't take it so literally as the "focus" of my thread.
I don't think I follow you here ... My point is that they seem to be more interested in the targetted traffic from these particular directories than just a PR home page link. Sometimes it makes more sense to get the traffic than the link. That's just my opinion, feel free to disagree.
I am fully aware of the point that you are trying to make regarding traffic, but I think that you are missing MY point. If directory owners can agree on MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL, one-way exchanges, the traffic would presumably be comparable, so the traffic argument is effectively mute. PR is important because it comes into play from the perspective of the potential LINK BUYERS who visit the directories. The BUYERS want higher PR and better SERPS. Are potential BUYERS not the most important factor? If directory owners want more business, they can take the time to figure out some mutually beneficial arrangements that will both save them time/money and make their directories more attractive to buyers.
Hehe, looks like it. Depends who your LINK BUYERS are. My uncle sells Swatch watches and he wants to get his site listed in business index sites. What he wants is to sell watch and he needs traffic for that. He has never even heard of PR. After all what is your point here? Call me stupid but I really don't get it. Best I could come up from what you posted is that directory owners shouldn't buy listings from each other but do exchanges instead. Please correct me if I am wrong.