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#1 Thou Shalt Always Put Up A Link BEFORE Asking For A Link
Putting up a link to someone before you ask them for a link is proper linking etiquette and is much more effective than the alternative.
#2 Thou Shalt Not Build Link Farms
I'm seeing this commandment being violated more all the time. Some people are in such a rush to get links that they try to link to EVERYBODY. They don't have any type of cohesive theme to their link directories. Think about the types of sites you want to link with and build a useful directory that is complementary to what you are offering.
#3 Thou Shalt Not Hide Thy Link Directory!
This one really makes me want to smite somebody! Some guy will ask you for a link, but when you go to his home page, you look around for 10 minutes and can't find a way to get to his link area from there. If you can't find it in 15 seconds or less, chances are nobody else will and it's of no value to me!
#4 Thou Shalt Have No More Than 50 Links On One page.
Actually, 50 links on one page is really pushing it in my opinion. It's very important that your links are broken up into relevant categories and that each one isn't over 50 links.
#5 Thou Shalt Only Ask For a Link When It Makes Sense For Both Websites!
You need to be building a valuable resource with your link directory. Your goal is to build a resource that will attract the kind of people that would be interested in what you're offering. If you do this right, your business will pick up dramatically because your link directory will always be attracting potential customers.
#6 Thou Shalt Always Tell Others Where Their Link Is
Don't make someone hunt for 10 minutes on your website to verify that you posted their link. Just give them the URL where you've put the link or tell them what category you posted them in. Everybody's time is valuable and nobody wants to hunt for their link for very long.
#7 Thou Shalt NOT SPAM For Link Requests
If you send email to unrelated web sites, then you are spamming in mind and spirit. 'Nuff said.
#8 Thou Shalt Keep Thy Link Requests Short And Sweet!
Don't tell people your whole life story when you ask for a link because they really don't care! Your request should answer the following questions:
Is this site somewhat related to our site and does it fit in our links directory theme?
Has this person already linked to us?
Can I easily find their link area from the home page?
Does this site have a coherent theme or is it just a link farm?
Is the page that our link is on have 50 links or less?
Does at least the home page of the site have Google PageRank? If not, then a judgement call is required. A better question - Does it have a good chance that it will be rated 3 or above in the next year.
So in your link request letter, just tell them where their link is and where in their directory you'd like to be placed. Also, give them the description that you'd like to use for your website's listing too. That's all they need to know.
#9 Thou Shalt Always Keep Thy Word
If you tell someone that you're going to anything, do it - on time! Add, change, redirect, etc. They did give you a link when you asked for it and therefore deserve your respect.
#10 Thou Shalt Not Take Down Your Link Partner's Link
If you give somebody a link, don't delete it when you think nobody's looking! If you must move or delete a link, tell your link partner about it - in advance if possible and practical.
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