I have 2-3 sites which I have been running for almost 2 yeras (on an average) now. I have done quite a few things to promote and monetize my sites - for example, link exchange, link sales, paid reviews, and advertising. However, there has not been much benefits for my sites - neither monetary nor otherwise. Can someone please let me know how best one can use (or exploit) link development for a site? Is SEO really important? Is related links really matter to a site's growth???
Hi) SEO is really important so you must use its tools, and related links help a lot in the site promotion so you have to have as many dofollow links as possible.
Forum Profile Link building has done wonders for me. It's gotten me ranked pretty high on some keywords, and while it does take time, and a list of URL's to post to, automated tools can help you. Yes SEO is extremely important, and link building is probably the most important part of it. If you're looking for some forums to post to, check my signature.
Blog Commenting sucks now. Blog Engine or Movable Type blogs might get you backlinks, but seriously, good luck.
I don't think there is any one type of link which is 'the best'. It just comes down to a variety of links, both relevant and irrelevant, follow and nofollow, with consistency. This is what will appear natural to google.