How Not to Request a Reciprocal Link
I find it
amusing that people honestly think that their automated link
requests will provide quality links.
Why? Well,
if they had truely been to any of the sites I market, as
they claim, then they would see that I only accept link requests
through either our ADD URL form or through our automated Resource
Directory.
We chose these
two systems to filter out the thousands of email harvesters
and spammers that don't take the time to visit our sites.
I don't want just spammers wanting
links - I want people who generally think the content of
my site is worthy of a link. This means they care enough
about the quality of their own site to only seek out sites
they deem acceptable.
First, don't link to everyone. Link only
to sites that stay along the same theme as yours; that provide
quality information for your visitors; are not purely affiliate
in nature and do not deal in any underhanded internet spamming
techniques. [ yes we check out the source code and backlinks.
] We take each link request very seriously,
and through some very tough criteria. Not everyone meets
the grade.
But, we still get spammers, who are out
only for the link but not the benefit it will provide customers.
For Example:
Here's the lastet "Link to me or else" letter
I received. What shocked me is that it was from a very high
ranked site - and that one of my clients utilizes as an
affiliate. I previously considered them a quality, profesisonal
company.
I was surprised to find that a respected
company would send such a letter about a link exchange. If
the last line had been omitted, then my reaction would not
have been so intense. [ I have attached it below]
dated: March 16, 2005
------------------------- COMMENTS -------------------------
NAME:
James Berg
EMAIL:
editor@XXXXXX.com
COMMENTS:
We have placed a link to your site with ours. You can find
it here:
http://www.XXXXXX.com/directory/Web-Design/Web-Design-Services/5/page1.html
We expected that in exchange you would place a link back to
our site as you promise with your site.
I waited for two weeks but there's still no reply from you
and no link with your site.
Please, help on it.
Let me know if you are interested in link exchange with us
or not.
If you won't get in touch with me regarding this issue I will
remove your link from our site and will consider your site
as another one scum site.
Thank you.
------------------------------------
A scum site! Now that's a sure way to get
me to link to them, isn't it? It definately got my attention.
The link benefit you receive derives
from the page your link is placed. This particular request
comes from a page with a ranking of Zero. So that link
gives no immediate benefit. But since the overall site is so
well ranked, I believe the ranking will increase dramatically
on the next Google update. However, the PageRank is not a huge
determining factor when I choose to reciprocate. I evaluate
the entire site.
Even if a link from them would have been
be of some help, I do not want my customers visiting a site
that considers me SCUM.
I eMarket over 60 sites.
Many of these sites do not link to anyone. Yet, they
happily are in the top ten for highly competitve keywords.
One has been #1 for 5 years running and has only 16 links
to other sites. The key - marketing. [the #1 site ranking is
for a term that has over 9 Million other competing sites, they
receive over 5,000 visitors / month with a 20% ROI]
The key - the site was marketed well. They
kept true to their theme and have built a reputation at being
the best for their product. Plus provide quality customer service.
Longevity paid off.
If you want to generate a reciprocal link
- for Pete's sake! Take the time to visit
each site personally and ask politely, using their forms when required. Don't
threaten them, or call them names - it only reduces the professionalism
of your site.
If they don't respond or choose to reciprocate
- then let it go. Or better,
if their site will benefit your customers - leave the link
there. Afterall, that is the ultimate goal of your site isn't
it; to provide quality information for your visitors? Also,
consider that your original request was not received due to
a technical problem. If you want a link then simply resubmit.
Technical problems do happen.
Rather than focussing on links - focus
on building content relevent to your customers' needs. If you
do this, you will increase ranking and traffic - with or without
reciprocal links. And increase a positive reputation.
Finally, a high PageRank
does not guarantee a top Search Engine placement. Quality content and effective
Marketing will gain top ranking.
Remember: Reciprocal
links are not a requirement. Don't be demanding.
Don't send First , Second or Final notices; above all don't
threaten or use any type of disparaging language that could
be construed offensive. In fact - Link and Go! Link to Quality
sites, and move on. Quality is Better than Quantity!
SIDE NOTE: I normally handle link requests
once a month. Since our switch to the Link Directory, those
requests are handled every two days. However, I
have a very good reason for this past delay of hand approval
of link requests - Yet, I didn't think I needed to delve
into my personal life to satisfy anyone. Anyone choosing
to use the old form, which is now eliminated, should have
read and understood that response time would take much
longer.
Until Next Time,
Andy Richards
eMarketing Director
Designchef.com
