trade Link Exchange Question

[rk99]

I'm interested in starting a link exchange program for an established site. However, I'm would like to learn more about the most effective way to display the links. Is it typical to just create a "resources" page and post dozens of links? Is this method looked down upon by search engines? Also, is it typical for people to exchange links on a homepage or within the content of the site ... this would appear to be a more valuable link location.

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

 

[HCLPfan]

Whenever i do a link exchange i usually have a "Cool Sites" or "Useful Resources" box where i place 8-12 text links. That is typically the best way because it provides good resources for your visitors, good link exchanges and actual traffic ass opposed to huge random lists of links which aren't looked upon as that great. I'm certainly no expert tho, just how i do things.

 

[rk99]

I definitely agree with that approach. I started doing some research and it appears that quality over quantity is the better approach for link exchanges. Have you had any success with the large link directories, they seem a little spammy to me.

 

[HCLPfan]

No i never use them. I usually just open up 10 slots and exchange them via a forum such as this one.; Over time once the site gets bigger i change those links to paid ad slots.

 

[rk99]

Is there an official rule on when you can convert the links to paid ads? Do you notify the partner sites that you are no longer linking to them, so they know to remove your link as well.

 

[HCLPfan]

Its not exactly an official rule but you should always notify them before you just remove your link as a matter of ethics. I usually notify everyone a week in advance with a sort of mass email saying that I'm going to be switching them to paid links. This gives them a chance to a) delete their links -or- b) respond asking to purchase one of the links if they liked they traffic they got.

 

[ajkendall]

i would say that homepage links are much more successful and will get a better response that those in another folder or file, e.g. /links.htm

however, either method works but i would try and keep it to around 25-30 links per page per category so that the page doesn;t get clogged up, appear as spam to search engines and make people lose interest with the fact there are millions of links on one page