Kind of a crappy question to ask having two signatures on my own at the bottom. But are forum signatures that effective?

Bonus! Based on the responses, we may see a reduction of crappy questions and answers posted here. Getting really fed up seeing nonsense being asked and answered.

The value of forum signatures is two fold. First, forum signatures can provide high quality exposure and generate targeted leads to the business that utilizes that space.
The second benefit of forum signature lies in search engine optimization.

helps building links. i usually don't count the visits coming from signatures but sure it can be seen by searchers.

I think forum signatures are a good way of getting known. Especially if you post on forums that your target market hangs out at.

It should help in link building too, but I'm not too sure how much search engines discount forum post signatures.

i think signatures are helping more if they are in target websites.. If you sell shoes go on shoes forums .. or ask Al Bundy

Originally Posted by Sierra Charlie

Kind of a crappy question to ask having two signatures on my own at the bottom. But are forum signatures that effective?

Depends how you define "effective".

A forum signature is an easy way to get a link. If you're frequenting a forum regularly, it's not going to hurt to get a link every time you post.

That said, the links are of poor quality. The only good side is that you have control over the anchor text.

Forum sigs are link-building 101: the very basics. They should make up the foundation of your link building campaigns, but only that. Don't rely on them for results.

Where they are more effective is in advertising your services. If you're in a forum that is dedicated to a niche of some description, like this one, if your signature offers some value, there's a chance you'll get some traffic from it. And potentially good, targeted traffic too.

Originally Posted by Sierra Charlie

Bonus! Based on the responses, we may see a reduction of crappy questions and answers posted here. Getting really fed up seeing nonsense being asked and answered.

You and me both.

I agree that forum signatures will contribute more if you post in related forums. Moreover if your posts are good quality you have more chances to attract visitors and benefit from signatures.

Yup. Forum signatures are still effective. Actually, the last time I checked my backlinks, most of my backlinks came from forums, both do follow and no follow forums.

Originally Posted by edgray

Depends how you define "effective".

A forum signature is an easy way to get a link. If you're frequenting a forum regularly, it's not going to hurt to get a link every time you post.

That said, the links are of poor quality. The only good side is that you have control over the anchor text.

Thanks Gray. I had no correlating data to make a decision on it. Your answer really helped. Kudos!

Originally Posted by Sierra Charlie

Thanks Gray. I had no correlating data to make a decision on it. Your answer really helped. Kudos!

No problem.

The only data I have is regarding my own experience with forum signatures. The 3,000 links from this forum, for example, seem to only take a new site to a PR of 1.

If you have space in your sig, why don't use it for promoting your site.. however I wouldn't expect a lot link juice from it..

"Where they are more effective is in advertising your services. If you're in a forum that is dedicated to a niche of some description, like this one, if your signature offers some value, there's a chance you'll get some traffic from it. And potentially good, targeted traffic too."

Perfect ... i complety agree

I started today a study about how much Foruns Signs help ... i will share with you when i finish (and when i do this please link to me =D)

But will be in portugueses ... so start learning now ! hahahahah #joke

Vinicius, your English is very good.

the search engines love forums like this with new content all the time

They said that forum signatures are advertising more than seo.

Originally Posted by adi4x

i think signatures are helping more if they are in target websites.. If you sell shoes go on shoes forums .. or ask Al Bundy

Why???

Is it only people at shoe forums who buy shoes???

Originally Posted by mingqi001

They said that forum signatures are advertising more than seo.

ALL links are advertising NOT optimising.

if your site has 1000's of backlinks but very little to no content? think about it

Utilizing your signature links properly will help you generate more backlinks to your website.

Originally Posted by Sierra Charlie

Kind of a crappy question to ask having two signatures on my own at the bottom. But are forum signatures that effective?

Bonus! Based on the responses, we may see a reduction of crappy questions and answers posted here. Getting really fed up seeing nonsense being asked and answered.

Charlie,
I just searched for "Web Design Miami" (your first signature link) and you aren't on the first page of google, so I'd have to say that signature links aren't that effective.