How long to build one quality one way link?

[PrettyPaws]

I've been reading some info a link building company sent over a few days ago and something which they said took my interest. They state that on average a quality one way link takes 1 hour to build. By quality they mean from a related, indexed, PR 2+, none directory page.

Now, I know we can split hairs about their definition of "quality" but roughly speaking if you wanted to build 50 "quality" links would you set aside a full working week (and a Saturday morning!) to do it? Keep in mind we're talking proactively approaching sites, not creating content for link bait etc.

 

[wood1e2]

It is almost how long is a piece of string.

Researching your niche, finding good quality (whatever the definition of quality is) websites to link back from...

So you could spend a week and find no-one, you could spend a couple of hours and find 'good quality' websites that agree to have a link from them to you within those couple of hours. If some of those sites take a week to get back to you, then that is obviously a week of time added to your research time.

Plus link building is an on going exercise...well unless you competitors in your niche stop link building... or search engines change their algorithms

Of course search engines are not going to discover those links straight away...so there is time added there as well...

So it could take forever building up authority for your website, or in a uncompetitive niche, just changing your page titles could be all you need, which is unlikely, but not unheard off.

 

[JustOneUK]

I've been reading some info a link building company sent over a few days ago and something which they said took my interest. They state that on average a quality one way link takes 1 hour to build. By quality they mean from a related, indexed, PR 2+, none directory page.

Now, I know we can split hairs about their definition of "quality" but roughly speaking if you wanted to build 50 "quality" links would you set aside a full working week (and a Saturday morning!) to do it? Keep in mind we're talking proactively approaching sites, not creating content for link bait etc.

Depends if you want to pay or not. If your chequebook comes out to play it can be VERY fast, if you are only after FREE links it can take more time

how many do you want?

James.

 

[crossdaz]

Now, I know we can split hairs about their definition of "quality" but roughly speaking if you wanted to build 50 "quality" links would you set aside a full working week (and a Saturday morning!) to do it? Keep in mind we're talking proactively approaching sites, not creating content for link bait etc.

Yeah, it would likely take a week at least . Getting 50 quality links sounds simple until you try and do it?

I'm not suggesting you pay someone to do it for you though - their interpretation of the word 'quality' will not be the same as yours.

 

[PrettyPaws]

Depends if you want to pay or not. If your chequebook comes out to play it can be VERY fast, if you are only after FREE links it can take more time

how many do you want?

James.

I think that's very true and for the price of paying somebody else you could well spend the money buying links (maybe better quality) from others.

They were talking about free links and to be honest you wouldn't count waiting a week for a reply a week to get the link. :| Nor waiting for the search engines to find them! Only the time you are actually doing something!

 

[24x7 Exchange]

you wouldn't count waiting a week for a reply a week to get the link. :| Nor waiting for the search engines to find them! Only the time you are actually doing something!

True. But you can also find yourself checking their site again and again to see if they have finally added the link they agreed to. And then the polite reminder email or phone call to try and hurry them up, not everybody moves as fast as we'd like them to. Somebody else mentioned that it's an ongoing exercise and this is true as you should often revisit to check that they haven't removed your link for whatever reason. And if they have, then here we go all over again....

 

[wood1e2]

It is a never ending task...a friendly authoritive website this week, is at the administrators the next. The last person that's going to find out is you. Unless you are unlucky enough to be a creditor..

Re: I'm not suggesting you pay someone to do it for you though - their interpretation of the word 'quality' will not be the same as yours.

If someone else was doing it for you, refuse to pay if they did not go to the quality sites you would like them to go. If you are paying someone they should at least give you an idea of the sites they will be appraoching.

I am sure 100's on here will testify SEO is simple, you can do it yourself!! which may or may not be true... it is a simple case of how much time you spend or you can aford to spend, rather than running your business.

And that does include, phoning, emailing, writing the websites you want links from, and then researching every week, to find more and more quality sites.

 

[24x7 Exchange]

I am sure 100's on here will testify SEO is simple, you can do it yourself!! which may or may not be true... it is a simple case of how much time you spend or you can aford to spend, rather than running your business

Absolutely, it's not rocket science. If I really wanted to I could easily service my car myself, but a) I haven't got the time or desire, and b) I know that an experienced professional would do a more precise job (cowboys excluded). SEO is pretty much the same

 

[PrettyPaws]

You don't need to convince me, we've done all the SEO ourselves and are very happy with the results - 5000 + free hits so far this month . I'm was just interested to know if people agreed that it does take that long to build just one link. I have my own opinion on it but it's interesting to read other peoples views.

 

[fisicx]

There was a discussion on an SEO themed blog some time back (can't find it now) about the link building ethos. In general it is accepted that the value of a link is inversely proportional to the ease with which the link is obtained.

If one ignores TBPR (since it can be manipulated) and concentrates on the definition of quality, google's latest thinking provides excellent guidance. A inbound link should be an endorsement of the site (google calls it a 'vote') if it is to have any value. You cannot buy these links, you have to earn them. And the way you earn them is by having an informative and interesting website that people will want to visit. If you them market your site it will come to attention of others who may decide to give you a vote via a link on their own website.

This strategy works and works well but it is long term: 6-12 months. As always, content is king and if an emperor will attract those inbound links.

 

[garybooth]

There are lots of link building strategies to pick from, and I personally think approaching webmasters to ask for a link isn't the best - it is very long-winded, and often unsuccessful.

If you are interested in some free info on this subject, can I suggest you do a Google search for 30 Day Challenge, and then take their free lessons - you will learn about Web 2.0 strategies for link building, plus a lot of other good stuff as well.

Cheers, Gary.