If you
have spent any time on the web, you must have come across a website
that uses Zeus to build its link directory. It seems to be everywhere.
Zeus offers a free and paid version, but the majority I have come
across have the free version-you can tell by the banner ads.
Another
way you might have come across a Zeus directory is by getting an email
asking for a link exchange. "Dear Sir/Madam: Wow, what a great site,
lets link...." or "Hi I recently visited your site..."
Saving
time and energy is something everyone looks for when doing any project
either on-line or off. Why take 20 hours when it can done in 2 with
help? For a successful website, one needs to build links and this
takes time. Thus Zeus and other programs have been developed to automate
this process.
Link
building is a critical and necessary website promotional technique
that most webmasters should employee somehow to help improve their
search engine ranking, link popularity, and traffic. If one does not
automate the process the other options are to do it yourself manually
or pay someone to do. [If you need more background information on
link exchanges, see Linking101.]
Each
option has its pros and cons, this article will only focus on Zeus
and the numerous other programs out there that help "automate" the
linking process.
Pros
of Automating the Process of Building Links:
Time
saver. With the Internet growing daily, it is impossible to see,
let alone find every possible link partner website that is out there.
Just setup Zeus and boom, it is out there looking for sites for you.
It helps you get through the clutter to find only those sites which
meet your criteria.
Nicely
organized and quick loading directory. Webmasters can choose the
categories to put in their directory and then the program adds the
site information and urls.
Automatic
emails. When a website is found and decided upon for the directory,
an email (based on an editable template) is sent out to contact the
webmaster. Sending out email plus trying to keep track of all the
website contacted is a very tiring job. (I know from personal experience).
Contacts.
The amount of links and contacts derived from using one of these programs
is incredible. Again it would take a long time to find that many contacts.
The more people you know and can contact the more opportunities and
options there are for growth.
Cons
of Automating the Process of Building Links:
Unfortunately
the cons out weigh the pros. Most experience webmaster do not like
automated link building.
"Automated
link requests go straight in the recycle bin...If a webmaster takes
the time to send me a custom (polite) link request, then I take
the time to review what they are offering. The personal approach
makes me feel valuable and recognized - which then encourages me
to get into contact with the requesting webmaster." -Michael Bloch
[Taming the Beast.net]
The
biggest problem with Zeus and the other automated programs usually
is the email aspect. Most of the email requests I get say the same
thing. The template is editable but most do not seem to try to do
this. Automated emails give the appearance that the sender has never
actually seen your website (and this is true in most cases).
Recently
at Linking101.com, a poll was conducted on automated email link requests.
The question was "Automatic link requests-do you pay any attention
to them?" One hundred and seventy people responded and...
- 100:
said No-I only response to individual requests (59%)
- 49:
said Yes (29%)
- 21:
said Yes-I use them myself (12%)
When
I get a request, I look at the email and quickly see what type of
website it is that is sending the email. If it is on my list of site
topics I link to, I usually check it out. If it is clear that the
topic does not meet my requirements and that the person has not been
to my website, I do like Michael said-into the recycle bin.
It
is annoying to get an automated email saying that they have visited
your site when it is clear they haven't. If I am trading links with
say web design firms, why would a travel website want to exchange
links with me?
Another
issue is the links pages themselves. In Zeus there basically are only
a couple of templates available to work with. If you have the free
version, you have banner ads to deal with also. (I have seen very
few websites in my travels that appear to have actually paid for the
Pro version). Many past users have said that they had to spend quite
a bit of time "tweaking" the directory pages to make them look like
the rest of their website. From some of the other programs, their
links pages aren't any better.
Most
websites though have not spent the time to edit these directory pages,
which to me seems dumb. A good website should have a similar look
and navigation on all pages within it.
Also
a problem is the number of categories. Websites that have used Zeus
seem to go for the maximum number possible. Again quality is more
important than quantity. Narrow down the number of categories. If
you have a huge links section with tons of unrelated categories, that
is really nothing more than a way to manipulate the search engine
rankings by artificially inflating link popularity. Websites are being
banned for this all the time now-why take a chance?
Finally,
I was told that Google has zeroed out the PageRank on all Zeus created
directories. I have not seem anything official from Google but it
makes sense when websites are not careful when using automated link
building products. Now, the value of a link from any Zeus directory
has dropped to simply being a the link (any increase in link popularity
based on PageRank is null).
Conclusion:
I like
when websites use Zeus and put me in their directory. Why? Because
I never asked for it and when I actually respond to an automated email
and say I will NOT link back, my link is still there and usually high
in the listing. Thus I get a free link and traffic and it did not
cost me anything. LOL
In general,
Zeus and the other programs are not to blame totally. The webmasters
of these websites are to blame. Yes Zeus, et.al. are not perfect and
are limited in what they can do but when a webmaster does not take
the time to edit the templates, (or even purchase the ad-free version),
or sends emails to websites he has not personally visited (or reviewed),
or has every conceivable category in his links directory, you end
of up with what we have-a mess and possible spam!
If you
are using any of these automated programs or thinking about using
them..check out the options of each (see our review of some these
program at http://www.linking101.com/review0302.htm),
spend the money for the Pro or ad-free version, and take the time
to learn and customize the program. Automation can be a great help
if used wisely.
Please
do not be like the tons of webmasters already out there just looking
to increase their linkage quickly and effortlessly. Remember the turtle
beat the hare!
-Larry Sullivan
Linking101.com
Larry is the owner and webmaster
behind Linking101, is
a website dedicated to assisting webmasters find information, resources,
and a better understanding on the power link popularity and link exchanges
wield. Linking101.com
has a free opt-in newsletter, product reviews, articles, and its own
unique custom link products to help give you the edge you need.
