Bad Redirects

Redirects are used by unscrupulous marketers to conceal the final destination of a URL - you think it is taking you one place, it takes you someplace else.

They are also considered a "black hat" SEO tactic when used in this way. There are still a few less than reputable sources online that will recommend this as a means of building traffic, by registering a bunch of domains, and redirecting them to a single domain.

Forget it. Search engines consider bad redirects to be a sneaky tactic if they are used to try to increase traffic through dishonest means. Besides, in the same amount of time that you could set up all those extra domains, you could get that many legit links from established sites, and for the same cost you could purchase effective advertising, so you gain no advantage by doing so.

The only people anymore who use them are people who are intending to deceive. Don't lump yourself in with THAT crowd.

Redirects can be used when you move part of your site to a new domain, or when you change domains for honest reasons. They can also be used when you remove part of a site, to send people to an error message. Otherwise, leave them alone, they'll hurt your business. They are not a useful marketing tool.

Instead, go for listings in good quality niche directories, high quality link trades (as the opportunity presents itself), article marketing, and use your signature line politely everywhere you go.