Hello,

I would be grateful for some input on the subject of link sites, similar to MillionDollarHomepage, but using single word text links as opposed to graphics.

The process goes something like this:

1. Find a niche

2. Buy a domain name relating to the niche

3. Add a single page i.e. homepage and possibly an accompanying blog (although the blog is optional)

4. Add links that are vaguely relevant to that niche to the homepage in a randomly layed out manner

5. Make sure you have at least 100 to 500 relevant words on the page

6. Charge money to people for listing under the names (e.g. $20 - $30 or maybe more)

7. Buy a software product that will do all the work for you in making a link page for between $500 - $1000 (this would come in at point number 3 above, as it does the work for you)


What do you think? Is this just a Link Farm?

What are the benefits/consequences of listing on a site like this?

Are those buying a product to do this getting good value or is the concept flawed?

Is the person selling the product the real winner?

Thanks for your expert opinions.

Kind Regards,

Tom

MillionDollarHomepage was a great idea, and one of those internet milestones. It was also however quickly picked up by the engines as a link farm. They were never going to ban MDH (Yahoo doesn't like it much) as it was a cultural icon and covered by every major news website - they did however ignore its outgoing links VERY quickly. Anyone searching for MDH expects it to be number 1 in search results, although it's simply a gimmick which made Alex a lot of money.

Your idea may seem like a get-rich-quick scheme, although it's not any different to the thousand other link farms on the web. Not only will it perform badly in search results due to the nature of it, there's no PR value which can bypass this fact. People buying such a product are hoping that the site either a) bypasses search engine spam filtering (unlikely) or b) gets enough major press coverage to get direct visitors though the site (hmmm).

I would personally aim to create a site which adds real value to the web, then earn income via subscriptions or display. Instead of thinking about what other people have done, think about what you can do (what really interests you?) - maybe "troutfishing.com" or "pre-war-stamps.com" could be bigger then MDH.

:cool:

Rob

I don't or intend on launching such a product. My concern is for those that belive the concept is a good one.

My personal thoughts are in the same vein as what you mention. There's no real value unless your're selling the product or the links.

I noticed that there are such products available and people are buying them in the belief that it's viable long-term. I don't like seeing people duped. A second opinion from yourself and others is useful in eveluating the concept. Afterall, I might be missing something.

Thanks

Hi Tom,

People are only being duped if promises are made about the benefits of using the services. MDH was all about helping a student through uni, it was a gimmick which companies wanted to associate themselves with - not a link building initiative.

I'll leave the alternative view to someone else though, my second personality is on holiday at the moment ;)

:cool:

Rob