Figure I'd give alittle advice for those looking to build links for new websites. I've built links for a few dozen sites, many done differently looking for the fastest, most effective way to competitive serps. What I learned was kind of by accident, and partly from experience. Sometimes it's really a crapshoot, but most of the time if I build a bunch of links to a site (whether their targeted or not) before the site is cached in Google, it won't get cached for months (or until you file a reinclusion request). I found it most effective to get just a handful of high PR (preferably relevant) links and wait for the site to get fully cached before you start submitting to directories, using link-vault or co-op, etc. I found new sites get much better serps with fewer, more relevant, backlinks than new sites with many backlinks (mostly untargetted). It was in most cases substantial. Now, all new sites I build or promote, I get links from a few high PR directories and a few paid links and let simmer for at least 60 days. Then, I slowly start adding a few more paid directories and by 90 days the site is ready for mass directory submissions and co-op type systems. Following this regiment my new sites began ranking for competitive terms much faster than those sites I blitzed right from the start. Just wanted to pass that on.
Good advice, I agree, and confirm that it matches the results of my testing. Can I ask though, what you consider "high" PR? Are you talking 4? 8?
No, no, no - not good advice, EXCELLENT ADVICE! We've been practicing this same protocol successfully since "Florida." The only thing I might add to your formula would be to forget so much about PR and focus more on finding "quality endorsements" for your site, that is, acquiring inbounds from other sites that are already recognized by the search engines as authorities for your site's specific industry focus.
I don't actively use co-op, as I don't care for the disappearing links. I wouldn't recommend it for new sites as they'll bemore sensitive to things of that sort. I used the co-op scenario because it's pretty popular around here.
DMOZ is an important link to get really early on, but you have to write a very good submission, and then be prepared to wait a year or two for it to be accepted. Once your site is accepted, you'll see some additional backlinks from ODP directories trickle in, and eventually Google's own directory. I also like these two lists of Strongest Directories (I pick out the free ones): - www.avivadirectory.com/strongest-directories - www.seocompany.ca/directory/top-web-directories.html And here's a list of free directories to that you can (slowly) submit too: - www.addurl.nu - www.the-free-directory.co.uk/directory_list I'm also trying out Link-Vault to see if there's any benefit to gain from that... Cryo.