Linkbuilding - How many links to directories per month

[Studio33]

This post is deleted!

[Jeepster]

None. You'd do well to read this recent Q&A post.

[BeardoCo]

I disagree I believe there are some authoritative directory links, but they have to be high quality.  Yahoo directory, BOTW, Dmoz (etc).  Make sure that the page your site is going to have a high enough page authority to match the editorial price point though.

[Jeepster]

OK, I admit I was being slightly flippant. But I strongly suggest you read that thread before starting any directory submissions. There aren't that many good web (as opposed to say, local) directories any more. And unless they are niche-specific, they are unlikely to be of the PR 2 variety.

[KarlBantleman]

Don't look at it as how many, look at the quality of the directories. You are far better off getting 5/6 really high quality directories like BOTW and DMOZ than 20/30 average directories.

I'd also suggest looking for industry specific directories as they will be better for you than the general directories. However, if you are choosing the general dirs then make sure your link goes in the most appropriate section.

Use OSE on your competitors that rank well for your target keywords and then see which directories they have submitted to. You still need to look at them to make sure they are quality but it is always a good place to start.

[Highland]

The problem here is that the line between link directory and link farm is sometimes too hard to define. It's also deceptive to call it link building. Can you get a link from a directory easily? Sure. But if you can get one easily, so can everyone else. And if everyone can get a link then how much value will that link really provide?

A better argument against directories would be this whiteboard Friday. If you're building links, you're doing it wrong. Seriously. Links should be coming in naturally or you run the risk of a nasty Penguin spoiling your fun.
http://www.seomoz.org/blog/the-death-of-link-building-and-the-rebirth-of-link-earning-whiteboard-friday

[Studio33]

Thanks I have read the thread - very interesting.

So, I am a bit confused as to which way to turn now.

We are a new site, no backlinks except DMOZ (done today!).  What should we do next, what should we be aiming for...1 link high quality link per day, 20 per day...50?  Our competitors have thousands of external links.

It sounds a bit like google's world has changed recently and less is more nowadays, is that right.  Is it quality over quantity and if so how many quality links should we aim for.

Any advice on how to start this task and where we should end up is welcomed.

Thanks

[Highland]

You need marketing at this point, not link building. What's your business plan? How will people know about your site/product/service? What the link structure of the future will look like (I don't think we're quite there yet) is that you will have links and social activity as your primary external factors. How often are people talking about you? Because, in Internet terms, when people talk about you they link to you so others can get to you too.

If you think "I need X links to compete" then a giant Penguin will come and eat your results.

Less linking, more marketing.

[Saiten]

I would not suggest submitting to any if your site is rather new - it can do more harm than good.