This is basically the same thread as this one so I'm not going to answer in depth expect that I still believe that Content is the single most important part of SEO. That doesn't mean links have no value as that would be just plain stupid. But they aren't AS important as a building block. Content generates Links more often and easily than Links generate Content.
Both content and links (marketting) are equally important. It is utterly pointless for one to exist without the other. They are not Kings and Queens, they're the jokers in the pack - get either wrong and they start laughing at you
That's a bit confusing, obviously content can't grow on a static information site. That point was being made by forum owners.
It may be a bit confusing if you own a completely static site but I am of the mindset that you should never own a completely static site. Every site should allow some sort of feedback or content building by your visitors, whether it is a forum, a blog,a (ugh) guestbook, or something else. Since we are talking about the important factors of SEO, it would be unwise IMHO to not be taking advantage of all these tools that are proven to bring in visitors. It is from that perspective that I made that statement.
Who builds site with just content? I'm sure you are alluding to a forum? How about a service that is in demand? How much content does that take to get the point across? Does it need to change or be in depth? hehe, just retorical questions, this argument can go anyway you want it to. The end goal is the same though.
I think that in certain niche topic areas, content can result in traffic through word of mouth. Critters on this forum with the Draw a Pig site which seems to be extremely successful...that's catering to the "bored college student" type niche - and you know that thousands of links to his site are IMed and emailed to friends across the world every day. My site is also an example of that - I am providing the best platform for information and discussion to peope who play low brass instruments in the world - most of my traffic is due to reputation, word of mouth, and regular daily visitors. Less then 2% of my visitors actually come from SE's (although as my rankings go up, that number is rising) The reason I stick around here is I'm intrigued with the potential...can't wait to get on the first page. Some topic areas are much less "talkable" like Mortages for example. I bet a huge percentage of visitors to mortage sites came there from clever advertisements they found on the internet. There are too many similar sites out there for friend A to call friend B on the phone to say "hey check out this great mortgage site." Just my 2 cents. I dont think it's as cut and dry as "content is king" or "marketing is the only way" because some sites are in the grey area between the two. Adsense ads that match the content on my site are rarely worth more then 10 cents each (average) because advertisers have learned that marketing is less effective on the type of people who hang around my site. Great discussion, and I do think it's different from the other one
Great debate. From my own personal experience, I set out to make the most comprehensive site for Las Vegas real estate bar none. I have pages of every popular community, high and loft project in town and the surrounding cities. As a result, I do get quite a few free links from others linking to my content. However, I also do quite a bit of marketing as well. "if you build it, they will come" only works if they have directions.
Didn't we already go over this in the other thread Noppid? I think you just wanted to bring it up again.
I agree in some cases that you must get the traffic first, before the content bedazzles your visitors, it's all about getting them there first