Suppliers linking to website - good or bad practice?

[McTaggart]

Hi, was just wondering about suppliers linking to website - copywriters, web developers, etc. - could these be seen as purchased links by Google. Is it best to specify that suppliers shouldn't link through?

[MarieHaynes]

I would call these good links!  Just be careful not to overdo anchor text - i.e. don't ask everyone to link to you using your main keyword.

[irvingw]

definitely good - and legitimate. As Marie stated mix up the anchor texts, also:

a) don't let them link to you sitewide

b) a link from their homepage would be the strongest.

c) make sure the suppliers site is clean and they're not selling links or an overly optimizes spammy or penalized site

d) links should be dofollow and SEO friendly

[EGOL]

I do almost no linkbuilding.  But I do ask suppliers to link to my site.  If you sell brass widgets and have all of the brass widget makers linking to you that is kickass.

[Creode]

I would say it's a good thing. I think it's something that Google could not punish.

Think about how many clothing brands will have a "buy from here" links. It would be ridiculous for them to punish that, it's a clear and distint sign that you sell their product, or you represent their brand.

You might not get too much link juice from them if they have hundreds of suppliers under one page.

[McTaggart]

Thanks Marie, Irving, EGOL, Andy - excellent advice as ever!