Backlink Query. Unranked pages of High Ranking sites.

[Chstphrjohn]

Hi,

So I was just wondering if someone with more knowledge than myself can answer this question for me.

I have a site - currently sat on page 2 of google. On-site optimisation is done, however I am struggling to get backlinks that are from highranking pages.

I am new to SEO so need a hand.

My understanding of backlinks is that the higher the PR of the site that links to your 'money' site, the better that link is, and that these links are very hard to come by. (something that I am finding).

Many times I have found sites that have a high rank and offer for a free listing, only for me to fill in details and get listed on a sub-page that has no ranking whatsoever.

So my question is, are these kind of links worth the effort? Do they actually have any effect on rankings?

And generally would anyone have any tips on the best sites to get links?

Thanks

[Silkstream]

In the old days it was all about the PR of the linking site. But now I'd say, stop worrying about PR of the sites that you are seeking links from, and concern yourself more with relevance.

If I have the choice to get a link on a PR6 site that is in another industry or a PR2 site that is in the same, then I'd go for the second every day of the week.

[Chstphrjohn]

Thanks for the response.

However I'm not talking about a PR2 site, that would be an incredible link for me right now!

I'm meaning a page that has no rank. What's the value of these?

Thanks

[Travis_Bailey]

I can expand a little bit upon what Silkstream has said.

If there are trade associations relevant to your site, make those a first priority. They tend to be easier if you're in with the crowd. Plus, your competitors are likely to link there. It's a way of getting an indirect link from your competitor. Though you can apply this to other situations. Use your imagination, brochacho.

A lot of webmasters make the mistake of thinking that no one is interested in them. That is untrue. There's an audience for belly button lint.

Find your audience. Learn everything about your audience. Work it.

That approach is far better than worrying about PR. Worrying about the PR of a site gets you into bad territory. That's when you start considering links from easylinkseodirectory4ulol.com. That would be a bad place to be in general, and much more a bad place to start.

Use the following search operator:
related:google.com

Replace google.com with your site, a competitor, or a site that didn't respond to your outreach. Plenty of fish in the sea. Just don't suck at outreach. Be real, be authentic - don't mention a link upfront, at all. 
That shouldn't be your goal anyway.  Your goal should be exposure through good things that you give others.

[Chstphrjohn]

Thanks very much.

Great bit of advice. Much appreciated.

Thanks

[Travis_Bailey]

You're welcome. But there is a lot that was left out. It's just the nature of the beast.

Link building/acquisition/earning is a broad and deep topic. There are millions of ways to go about it. Some tactics will get you in trouble. Some tactics may result in public ridicule. So be careful and read up.

If a link looks shady, it probably is. The best links drive real traffic. Search operators are your friends.