Arms for Oil

[Greenmind]

We've had arms for oil, and cash for peerages, what are your views on discounts for links? Fair play, or as unscrupulous as its siblings?

[jont]

We've had arms for oil, and cash for peerages, what are your views on discounts for links? Fair play, or as unscrupulous as its siblings?

Arms for Links = Auld Lang Syne :rolleyes:

Discounts for links is naff as you still have to go spend your money with the site. If your site is worth linking from they can get their wallet out and pay you for the privilege.

[Greenmind]

I get the impression this has yet to become common practice, as you have misunderstood slightly. I meant perhaps adding a little footnote to your 'Order dispatched' email suggesting that they may like to place a link to your site on theirs for a X% discount on their next purchase, (X being quite healthy).

Obviously better suited to B2B sales, and you could check out their site for rank and relevance before adding your footnote.

[jont]

Oh right, I see.

If I did not have a website I would be miffed at not getting the discount. I can see issues with B2B sales in that the buyer may not have access to the website designer to agree the deal and how are you going to monitor the link stays in place?

[Greenmind]

I can see issues with B2B sales in that the buyer may not have access to the website designer to agree the deal and how are you going to monitor the link stays in place?

A valid point, but I was just looking for opinions regarding the ethics.

For every 50 offers you may only get one taking it up, but it might be worth it.

Is it black hat, or light grey?

[jont]

Probably in the grey morally but from an SEO point of view you should be OK - assuming a link farm does not buy a product from you!

It will boil down to how you present the offer and the wording used to make it attractive and not just the discount offered.