Linking a network of sites.

[Westech]

I've seen two basic methods used to link a publisher's sites together.

One method is the "network page" method, where the publisher has one page that every page of every site links back to. This page then links to the main pages of each site.

The other method is to link to the main page of every site from every page of every site, or from the main page of every site. (By putting links to all sites in the header or footer of each page, for instance.)

I'm wondering which of these methods is more efficient for passing pagerank. method #1 seems to have the benefit of focusing as much PR as possible on one page and then passing out high PR links to the other pages. Method #2 seems like it may avoid the extra dampening factor of linking to the main network links page and then linking again to the pages that need the PR. Does anyone have any comments about the advantages or disadvantages of these two methods?

[MarkB]

I use method 1 - and pass the majority of the PR to new sites (since they usually have no backlinks etc). However, I also link sites with matching themes together... So, method 1 with a sprinkling of method 2. It seems to work OK for me (but then, I have little traffic anyway...!).

[Mike]

I do the same as Mark. Link to most sites from my "hub", then link sites with similar themes.

[incka]

Same as Mark and Mike.

[Westech]

I guess what I'm interested in are the reasons for linking to a hub site instead of directly to your other sites. Is it just to keep from covering your sites with links, or is there a benefit to focusing the PR on one site before sending it out to all the others?

[Chris]

There is no PR benefit, its just less spammy to use a hub.

[freekrai]

Here's another related question, what benefit in the end, does having a network toolbar at the top of your sites actually do?
The links are usually an HTML select so the code doesn't get read by search engines the same. So, aside from giving people a way to move between all of your sites, what's the overall advantage?

[chrispian]

Here's another related question, what benefit in the end, does having a network toolbar at the top of your sites actually do?
The links are usually an HTML select so the code doesn't get read by search engines the same. So, aside from giving people a way to move between all of your sites, what's the overall advantage?

You just said why, giving people an easy way to get between you sites. I've found that on my sites that I have a high number of people who use more than one of my sites. I used to have a network toolbar (took it off to conserve bandwidth) and they missed it quite a bit. I went back to using links on the side bar of my pages to our other sites and they were happy with that. While it may not help you with SE's, if you have traffic you could certainly drive some to your other projects. Especially if your like me and most of them are of the same theme.

[freekrai]

I kinda realized after I posted that I answered my own question.

[incka]

I have on on some of my sites that are related and it really does move traffic between them. I also do links in OBVIOUS places to other similar sites on my sites, so users can visit them. This helps for both SE and user-traffic.

[freekrai]

I've been thinking about it, that was why I asked. But so many of my sites aren't quite related. Some are, but some aren't.

[incka]

Electronics network.
Webmaster network.
Game network.

Are a few suggestions for the ones I see in your sig.

Not all sites will go into a category until you have about 25 sites usually...

[freekrai]

I have close to 50 overall, I only show my most recent in my sigs and on my main website, since my girlfriend runs a few of them herself.

[AfterHim.com]

I've heard of people being banned by linking in a circle...the infamous google email said it was a link farm

[freekrai]

I think it might be different when it's sites you actually own yourself.