Private Link Network for eCommerce

If you are ultra careful about how you configure your own private link network it can work, but it's really not worth the time, effort & expense required to do it (IMO).

You must...

...have "true" SEO hosting that gives each domain name a unique IP address on a unique C Class.
...have custom nameservers and private registration on each domain.
...have high quality content on each website that's not scraped or spun.
...NOT use keyword stuffed anchor text when linking to your money site.
...link to other websites within your market so it looks natural.

The key is to have content that is worth indexing. In fact, you don't even have to "hide" the sites from Google if you have truly worthwhile websites that are loaded with real information that's viable to researchers in that niche.

I have a comprehensive guide to building a private SEO blog network on my site, but I advise my students not to implement it unless they are truly roadblocked and unable to improve their rankings. In today's Google you are better off sticking with 100% natural techniques and avoiding anything artificial. In fact, my websites (and my student's websites) that are doing best are the ones that aren't doing ANY traditional link building at all. Focusing on killer on page content and then building a following that you can direct to that content is the way to go!

**THIS IS LONG**
Well… I haven't personally had any experience with owning private link networks. HOWEVER, whenever I have hired a good SEO person that could get results, it was because they had their own private link networks.

I get what Dave is saying, however, I do find that it all depends on how competitive your niche is. Whether or not you can be in an uncompetitive niche depends on whether or not you are a manufacturer, drop shipper, importer or reseller (or combination).

Making killer content just doesn't work for a LOT of websites and it all depends on what you sell. I have one ecom website where killer content works for both SEO and for the product being sold and another where all the content in the world is just flat out inappropriate for what is sold on that site (even if someone claims well I can show you a way to build content for anything).

Therefore, sometimes you need a little edge.

I am STARTING to test my own private network. If you follow this strategy you cannot use the spammy low quality methods that a lot of IMers use, you have to actually build a legitimate network.

Is it worth it?

Well.. it depends. I've been doing this for a long time. There was a time when I could really get fantastic results with just on site SEO and little offsite. Then the market got more competitive. Then manufacturers started building their own websites (rank high for brand searches), then Zappos and Amazon started carrying everything under the sun. And so on.

I do think that for someone who is in it for the long haul, that controlling the SEO is worth the expense and effort. It doesn't mean you rely on it as a sole strategy, you have to do a little bit of EVERYTHING that is "above board".

Lastly, depending on what you sell, if you can, I would probably do a few promos with blogs before investing in a network. You can pretty much boost your rankings w links from existing high PR blogs, and then if that works for you, then you have some evidence that it will "move the needle" for your own private network.

I love you both ... good to talk to some people who know their shit.

@dave_hermansen I have ticked all those boxes, but have seen people succeed without ticking those boxes ... food for thought

@malia I hear ya ... diversity is key ... the controlling of the SEO is HUGE in my opinion.

It's absolutely worth it, but there will definitely be an investment required to do it right. I agree with most of Dave's points however I would recommend avoiding SEO hosting. Anything "SEO" just stay clear of, it's just as easy to stay clear as it is to use it.

Right now spun, crappy content still works, however I take the extra step to make my network look real, with great, readable and informative content (Kuum-By-Yah, I know). It costs more however if the network was ever flagged or reviewed, chances are it would pass (Actually probably not haha, but you're chances are definitely higher) - because really it isn't spam, it's just a real site.

Right now I run a network with around 125 PR1-6 sites - It costs me over $250/month just for the I.P's, Then there's hosting fees, WHOIS protection, Another $400/week with 2 VA's writing and posting, etc, etc, and you also actually have to buy the PR Domains up front and maintain them.

I believe the key going forward is to just take the extra time and make your network high quality.

I just set up a totally free eCommerce website last weekend on free hosting. So yeah, you can do it with any type of website. In my case, I was just doing it to see if it could be done. I'll never actually use the website because of PCI concerns. Instead, I'll use it to show prospective manufacturers that I am legit and can build a website (and of course I'll show them my other ones, too). I use the fake website as a "sales tool" trying to get minor agreement from suppliers by saying "I'd like to feature your products on my website. What do you think the best product of yours would be to feature on the home page." If they mention a product, I''m in!

I think Dave's point is that you will do quite well if you take all the energy and time that a private link network takes and invest it into your own website, a blog for that website and marketing it through social channels.

I'm not sure what SerpKing's gig is, but yeah, if you have a ton of websites and can somehow tie them all together with a massive private link network, go for it (and keep your fingers crossed in the future). For the average person who is already strapped for time, it simply isn't feasible.