I have 2 E-commerce sites - Can i cross link?

[Prime85]

Good Morning Everyone,

I have 2 e-commerce websites that are similar and sell the same products.

The content (text/descriptions/titles) is different so the content is not duplicate.

SITE A has a ton of blog posts with highly relevant information and we frequently update the blog with posts about the types of products we carry and how it can help people in their daily lives...

SITE B has no blog posts, but the content on the blog from SITE A is extremely relevant and helpful to anyone using SITE B.

My question is, do you think it is frowned upon if i were to add links on SITE B that point to specific posts on SITE A...

For example, if you are browsing a category page on SITE B, i was thinking of adding links on the bottom that would say

"For More Information, Please Check Out These Posts on our Blog"

• www.sitea.com/blog/relevantinfo1
• www.sitea.com/blog/relevantinfo2
• www.sitea.com/blog/relevantinfo3

I think this would seriously help our browsers and potential customers get all of the information that they need, but what do you think Google would think about this cross-linking and if it violates their guidelines?

Thanks for any opinions and advice.

[AlanMosley]

Yes correct, I was talking from a purely SEO perspective

[Prime85]

Hey Alan,

Thanks for the input

I understand what you are saying but here is why i think it is beneficial:

For argument's sake, let's say both SITE A and SITE B sell Hammers...

Site A sells hammers of all kinds and Site A also has a blog full of useful and frequently updated content about all different types of hammers and how to use them and where to use them and how they can help people in certain situations etc...

Site B sells hammers of all kinds, but does not have all of the blog posts that contain the useful and helpful information that may help a consumer make their decision.  We were thinking taking a category page from SITE B (for example, wooden handled hammers) and adding links to roughly 2-3 blog posts from SITE A that talk about Wooden Handled Hammers, specifically.

Wouldn't you agree that these links would help the user/consumer?  While it may pass link juice, the main goal is to help get the helpful information in front of the consumer.

Thoughts?

[AlanMosley]

no problem at all with google.

The only problem I see, sending link juice to SiteA from SiteB.
To the search engine its like following a sign saying elevator, going into a room and seeing another sign that says elevator and so on, until your in the elevator and no more signs to follow, they think well this must be it. If your page is about dogs, you don't want to link out from your page to another page about dogs.

[Prime85]

Thanks for the feedback guys - appreciate it

[Andy.Drinkwater]

I think that as long as you no-follow the links so that Google doesn't think you are trying to gain benefit in this manner, then it should be fine. The links as you suggest, are towards the bottom of the page, and Google should see this - perhaps mention that the blog posts will open on a new site and keep the anchor text neutral.

"For More Information, Please Check Out These Posts on our Blog (__Opens up new site)"

• www.sitea.com/blog/relevantinfo1
• www.sitea.com/blog/relevantinfo2
• www.sitea.com/blog/relevantinfo3

-Andy

[Prime85]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your input -

The blogs posts originate on SITE A.

However, some visitors find us through SITE B and therefore we want to help those on SITE B get all of the relevant information that we have available (the blogs from SITE A).

So - anyone who comes to SITE B will now be able to find all of our relevant content that is on SITE A and it will help them learn more about our products and make a decision.

Make sense?  Your thoughts on how this would look under the Google microscope?

Thanks

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Think about how this would look to Google if they were to inspect the site under a microscope. Would they question why the blog posts are on site B and not posted on Site A? What is the reason for not posting them on Site A? Are you wanting to cross-link for no other purpose other than for the benefit of the site visitors?

-Andy

[LauraSultan]

It's perfectly normal to link two sites together like this. It can be useful to site visitors, and it's also very common. The problem comes when you have dozens of websites cross-linking together in some sort of link network.

More information

• Google's Matt Cutts Says It Is Okay To Link Your Sites Together But in Moderation