My site doesn't really look "right" with links all over the main page. So is it worth it to have reciprocals to get a link back?
Focus on one way backlinks and use reciprocals only when you stand a good chance of getting highly targeted traffic. Too many reciprocal links and your backlink profile may look like a link scheme...
I'd avoid reciprocals and focus on one-way backlinks as much as possible. Reciprocals have been declining in value according to my tests.
Recip links are NOT bad, if done in moderation. Look at the site you are linking too, and if you feel it's worth linking too based on quality content/traffic, then it's likely a good idea to swap a link. But it's NOT a good idea to simply get linkbacks.
Among the reasons not to focus on reciprocals is maintainence. Believe me there are those who will agree to a reciprocal and then delete the link on their site at some point in the future. If you are going to seek reciprocals you need to devote the time every couple of months to 4 to six months to check on the link to see that it is still active. One reason I don't think reciprocals are worth the time and energy to get them.
I ended up writing code for my sites that checks the reciprocals on a regular basis. I always ask for a one way link, then trade links if the webmaster requests it. Almost two thirds of webmasters give me the one way link.
If the catagory url where your site will show has a high PR it may be worth it, But personally I dont bother with reciprocals
Reciprocal links are not worth it for many reasons. But mainly, because unless you are doing it with a blog with way higher page rank, (which won't happen,) then you aren't really helping your site any. The potential for traffic is almost nill, and the page rank increase will be very minimal. The algorithem for Google is based on the scale of eight. To get from PR1 to PR2 is eight times as hard. and on through PR3-4... I don't know how high your site is, but getting a link from another site equal to yours, will cause very minimal help. And also, you don't get a full page rank link from that site. That sites PR is split up among all the link on that page. So you'd be getting, pretty much no help at all. Sorry that was a little long winded, I hope it helps! Jonathan Muller mastersofseo.com
Currently my site is PR 0, but the link back from one site is a PR 4 where the link will display Been building link backs like crazy
Very true, and broken links sucks! Not all directories require reciprocals. I submitted my blog to over 100 directories that don't require reciprocal. I have a list but haven't checked them a long time ago, so I am not sure if all of them are still alive.