Is reciprocal Linking dead? I just read an article at
SitePro News that really rings my bell. It was written by
Mike Banks Valentine. Obviously being a very successful
webmaster, one must pay attention to his words and his most
recent article really mirrors my thoughts. Having just
completed constructing a new website for my personal use, I
have been looking for optimization improvements.

The current rage is "reciprocal linking" so I went about
searching for some reciprocal links. To my dismay I
discovered websites that contained lists of links in
directories that appear nearly useless as far as pointing
potential customers to my site. I completed arrangements for
link swaps with a few, only to go back and find it
impossible to find my link. Caught up in the frenzy, I had
begun to get drawn in to this game. Then I took a step
backward. This craziness can't be adding anything of value
to any of these websites. Should I participate anymore? I
think not. However it was reading Mike's words this morning
that brought home the point that was nagging away at me and
sitting in some little corner of my head. This can't be a
good thing and it can't hold up as a relevant marker for
search engine ranking. What I am seeing is just too
ridiculous. I am an amateur webmaster by world standards
but I don't like to be a "gimmick man." I would really
like my website to stand on it's own two feet and have it judged
by what you are reading. This links thing appeared to be a
farce to me. I'm not into a bunch of "flash" and I
won't rely on gimmicks.

Does that mean my website will never make it? I don't think
so. I will work on the important things and pay attention to
the credible things. Mike's efforts and words will stand the
test of time. I am sure of that. Gimmicks will come and go.
I may not be making the best of what seems like "the magic
bullet' but I will work to improve the aspects that will
stand the test of time.

Does that mean it will take longer to rank well? Maybe, but
once it gets there, it shouldn't quickly go away simply
because some gimmick that I utilized has been banished. It
should stand the test of time!

Will I take more pride in my accomplishment? Definitely
yes. I realize that in this day and age of competition that
"pride" may not be a factor. It is all about money and
"do
it fast". I still believe there is a place for pride. And to
repeat Mike's words "put some content in your website". I
bet it will bring more return viewers to your site. If they
have found something of value, they will return to it.

Let's get it back to Pride and Quality. Let your investment
Stand the test of time!

Tom Henricks website publisher
http://www.lowestcostwebsites.com