What is more important..

[xstu74]

Everyone has mixed views i see different combos working for one niche but not for another, Short term = links, long term again depends on niches but the obvious combo of links and content..

 

[cc976a]

You don't even necessarily need tons if great content either to run a successful online business. A one pager with a picture, few paragraphs of text and buy now button can work too.

The natural link building that is needed for a good successful site (the ones we all talk about needing for Google) are either bought / bartered - or you're just damn lucky.

You could argue there's a science and method to increase your chances - but the same could be said from racecard punters with their face in a copy of The Racing Post.

People link to content, but its not always about this - too banded about - phrase 'good content' (which doesn't really mean anything) - it's also about recognition. Big sites link to big sites.

You either create something lucky enough to go viral, buy / barter lots of links or keep throwing up to your site what you feel is 'great content' and cry in despair each night when the big G is still not showing you any love after throwing you down the SERPs oubliette

 

[julian]

My op asked a simple question. I like people having input and disagreeing with my points - that's what a forum is for, but to be smug and give smart arse answers as if it's all 'obvious' is unhelpful.

Why do you think I meant "you" as in you specifically? I was talking in general.



I'm personally not here to puff out my chest or try and prove anything, I thought this thread was a general chat about long term ranking, not a "who has the biggest c***" contest.

If you are going to say silly things like



How can you expect not to be corrected? you know that is a silly thing to say.

+ "read" is a very specific, quality content doesn't have to be words.

I wont even bother starting on this part



Because I can tell you only care for your already formed opinion anyway.

 

[Murray]

to be smug and give smart arse answers as if it's all 'obvious' is unhelpful.

What, like this?.

Thanks guys!

So all the ingredients I need to rank number one for car insurance is:

- buy a generic domain
- build the most super fast, uber responsive html5 website money can buy
- add 1000 pages of professionally written content
- marinade in serps
- let the natural links roll in

cooooooooool

wait... I just realised theres about 50 people who started doing this 10 years ago...?

 

[julian]

What a pitiful and childish response, obviously the context I posted that reply is completely different to the way you post yours - like the difference between a wotsit and Tyrell's parsnip crisp.

Anyway, you still haven't enlightened me on what constitutes the type of content I'm missing out on. I'm keen to learn something (and I guess others here must be too):

you said:
How can you expect not to be corrected? you know that is a silly thing to say.

+ "read" is a very specific, quality content doesn't have to be words.

So my content is mainly words, images, bit of social media with the odd video, funnily enough just like lots of sites, so can you explain what the magic content dust is that enables you to disregard building links.

What, like this?.

 

[Blossom]

Actually google is not the only promotional option I have, am already using other options and anyway, how would you possibly know what options I have or do not have??

Most of the successful sites that don't rely on Google:

a) Have a big following built up of visitors/fans who are genuinely interested (e.g. Oh No They Didn't - the biggest LiveJournal community, most of the higher-end parent bloggers etc.) - generally boils down to word of mouth recommendations and bookmarking/social media/events/PR opps/online promotion I guess.

b) Get people returning for one reason or another - because they're addicted to a game, want to buy another of the same product, have a service they regularly log into etc.

c) Use real-world advertising and promotions (generally bigger businesses and local businesses).

Any of all of the above can be used in combination, and everyone can potentially use at least one of them as an option. Then there's all the stuff like buying online/app advertising, promoting in groups, one-on-one relationships. A lot of the same options are open to everybody.

 

[xstu74]

Ohhh Dearrr i haven’t read all the comments, but i think the reason you both disagree is because there is no clear cut answer to the question, multiple methods work or don’t work, whether we are talking links or content.
As mentioned it’s a percentage of luck as well you could rank for months and the suddenly its bye bye there are so many different ranking factors depended on the niche not just content and links.
It’s much harder now keeping a site at the top, big G seems to like to rotate the top spots, give you a taster of what you could have then slam you.

 

[Murray]

What a pitiful and childish response

Again, I swear you are talking about your own second post..

You dislike how you act yourself, yet (seemingly) you're oblivious to the fact you're doing it.

Anyway, you still haven't enlightened me on what constitutes the type of content I'm missing out on. I'm keen to learn something (and I guess others here must be too):

you said:
How can you expect not to be corrected? you know that is a silly thing to say.

+ "read" is a very specific, quality content doesn't have to be words.

So my content is mainly words, images, bit of social media with the odd video, funnily enough just like lots of sites, so can you explain what the magic content dust is that enables you to disregard building links.

Quality content is anything people like, want to use/want to come back to/want to share/find useful etc

As you mentioned yourself, it could be a video, it could be an image, it could be a tool, it could be a game, whatever.

so can you explain what the magic content dust is that enables you to disregard building links.

I never said disregard building links, all though any links you can give yourself wont be worth much.

There is no magic dust is there.. it's researching and coming up with ideas that might work for your site and niche.

If someone creates a website and their only plan to promote it is spamming links then I say good luck to them in the long term, they will need it.

 

[pittbrace]

I think content is more important, google like content than backlinks. As a man, we like high quality content too. No high quality content, no google ranking.

 

[jacal1]

Great thread. I think this one might be easier to answer if one assumes that you will work on both, but merely focus a bit more on one. In other words, while I feel links are more important, I also feel that content is vital. If I focused on links at the complete expense of spending time on content, the links will eventually fade. So my answer is links, with the caveat that content must be a close second.