[idevweb]

Hi all.

I'm new here, but I've been a web developer for over 6 years now. I've built many websites for clients, and in 2004 I started building my own sites.

I have worked for over a year building these two websites.

An Online Dating site & an Auction Tools site
[Links removed: those interested can refer to those in the signature -mondine]

I put everything I got into building theses sites. Many hours of honest sweat with the hopes that people will enjoy, use, and benefit from them. Neither are designed for "get rich" schemes. They are legitimate sites.

However, I'm having such a hard time getting them to grow. I do everything I can think of to make them unique and useful, but still... these search engines are not helping at all.

Getting good incoming links is like pulling teeth. Link trading has become so congested, and no one wants to provide one way links anymore because they'd rather cash in somehow.

I'm here in the hopes that some of you experts might have some insight for me. Lend me a hand, and I'd be willing to lend you two. How can I get these sites more traffic? Good and unique content just doesn't seem to cut it anymore. And I spend every dime I have (whats left after bills) to improve or grow. And still... no luck.

I don't want to quit. I'm a hard working honest guy just trying to get by.
Any help, assistance, or insight would be greatly appreciated, and if I can return the favor, let me know.

Thank you for your time.