Hi, When I had my e-commerce site redesigned I chose not to have a links page on it because I was led to believe that reciprocal links have the effect of cancelling one another out. It was suggested that I needed to focus more on gaining high quality, non-reciprocal inbound links from sites with similar and relevant content. However, most of the sites I request links from are asking for a reciprocal link and I can understand why. Should I reconsider adding a links page to my website? Is it worth adding a links page if quality sites will only link to me in exchange for a reciprocal link? Thanks James
Reciprocal Linking is a complete waste of time, you are better off just not exchanging with them. I believe getting more non-reciprocal links is 100% more better. Wait, on the flipside, if you reciprocal exchange 3 way, then its a different story. A -> C C -> B B -> A Try to get a group going
Reciprocal links have no SEO value. This is the official word from google. BUT, reciprocal links add value through cross web traffic when done with quality, same niche sites.
Thanks for the reply, this answers my question for me. Is using an affiliate program a good way of getting quality and non-reciprocal links to my website? Thanks James
Thanks for the reply. I have heard of the A, B, C method before. However, this seems an incredibly difficult strategy to orchestrate. Where does one begin to start doing this sort of linking? I can not imagine that some of the sites I want to link to me (who are not competitors) will want to link to one another (who would be competitors). For example. My site (site A) retails ONLY mens underwear and I was planing on asking lingerie sites (site B, that only sell ladies underwear) to link to me (site A), I would then link to to another lingerie site (site C). However, I can not imagine site C and B wanting to exchange links because they are both lingerie sites and essentially in competition. Any advice? James
I don't think reciprocal links have no value !!! They have worked for me numerous times. Of course one way links are much better but are harder to find. A links page could actually help to get some link exchanges going !!
Get yourself a free blog, add content thats on your niche subject - take your time and don't rush it. Market your blog on free directories/forum posts etc. It should not take much effort to get a pr2. Once you have this you can offer people a free keyword rich artcle on your blog (which has cost you nothing more than a little time and effort) in return you should ask them for a link from their website - BUT make sure you get it from the news page of their website and not the crappy 'resources' section - this will require alot of searching through the sites that can offer you what you want but ultimatley you will have better links, and they get a powerful link back.
I think reciprocal links still have some value if its done at a minimal number and with a relevant site, try 3 way. Though one way links are much better but they are not easy to find.