Generate Incoming Links To Your Web Site
The more high value backlinks you have coming into your website, the better. Below are several strategies for generating these links.
Reciprocal Link
Exchanges
Exchanging links still works. It's not as effective at it once was but it does still offer some benefit if you use it properly.
Before doing any reciprocal link exchanges here are a
few strategies to keep in mind:
1. Always link to "like"
sites.
For example, a site about pet care should
only link to sites that are pet care or pet related.
2. The site you link to should be Indexed in the search
engines.
If a site is not indexed don't link to it. If the search engines
can't see the site you are linking to, then they won't see your link, so there will be no benefit
to you.
To check if a site is indexed, I use the Google Toolbar as a guide.
Here's what to do:
Install the Google toolbar on your
computer
Once installed, go to your favorite web browser and bring up the site
in question. On your Google toolbar locate the 'pagerank' option. Click on the down arrow directly
next to it and then click on the 'cached snapshot of page. If it displays a page that states this
is Google's cache of http://www.pagename at the top, then you are good to go, if it does not
display this, move on to the next site.
If you really want to link to a particular site, wait until they are
indexed.
3. Link to sites with the highest page rank
possible.
You can link to a low ranking site but it helps to find as many sites
that already rank well.
First make sure the site is a quality site, in other words is it a site that you would buy from, is it a site that is easily navigated, etc. Does it have loads of advertising on it? If so, avoid linking to it.
4. Provide accurate site
information.
When exchanging site information with another site, be sure you
provide them with your URL, site title and site description.
You can send your information in HTML or just plain text. I suggest
sending both formats. Here's an example:
HTML:
Helpful Information for http://www.catgrooming.com"> easy cat
grooming
TEXT:
URL: http://www.easycatgrooming.com
Title: Easy Cat Grooming
Description: Helpful information for grooming your cat the easy
way
5. Place a link on your site
first.
Before making an exchange request, place a
link on your site first, then contact the reciprocal site. This can boost incentive to
reciprocate.
6. Don't put more than 20 links on a
page.
Create an index page for all your link pages
and keep the links to no more than 50 on a page. Too many links can discourage the search
engines.
7. Links page 'link' is on home
page
Make sure the links or resources page on the
site you are exchanging links with has their resources or links page 'link' on their home
page.
The search engines must be able to track to the links page from the
home page or your link won't be seen by the search engines.
If you prefer exchanging links, I suggest using Ken
Evoy's Value Exchange
tool. It's an excellent free tool that
requires a simple signup. Once signed your site will be
submitted to a pool of other users where interested link partners can contact you for
exchanges.
Write and Submit
Articles
Writing articles is very effective! It's one of
the best ways of bringing quality one way links to your website, and it doesn't cost
anything.
Articles allow you to include a 'by line' or 'about author' at
the end of your article which should include you site link.
By submitting your articles to article directories
and other relevant newsletters you are allowing others to use your article on their site, blog or
newsletter. This gives you a one-way link back to your site and the more one-way links coming back to your site the better! Submitting
one article to an article directory such as ezinearticles.com could bring you hundreds of new
inbound links within a couple of days.
Be sure to craft an article resource box that includes your
site URL and is compelling enough to get a link back to your site.
Here's a comprehensive list of article directories of where to submit
your articles.
http://www.homenotion.com/article_marketing.html
Use Profile Pages
Link to your website from social sites like facebook.com, Mybloglog.com, StumbleUpon.com, YouTube.com and Digg.com to name a few. These registration sites allow you to create your own profile page where you can link to your own website.
Visit and participate in forums
Look for forums that pertain to your web site's topic.
When signing up on a forum always include your web
site' addresses in your signature file. That
way each time you make a comment or participate in a discussion, your
web site will be displayed and seen by the search engines.
Each entry you make acts as another link. Participating in forums
also establishes you as
an expert in your field, particularly if you make helpful comments.
Forums are well worth at least one hour of your time each week.
You can start by visiting our homenotion
forum: Introduce yourself, make comments and
submit your articles. No blatant advertising
please.
Comment on Related Blogs
Finding blogs that relate to your site's topic and leave comments on relevant posts.
Most blog posts allow you to add your name and website when making a post.
The key to commenting on blogs is to make your comments useful. Writing 'nice blog' or 'thanks for the great post' will send your comments to the spam bucket.
Here's a post I did on blog comment posting tips to keep your comments out
of SPAM.
Write Product Endorsements
If you purchase a product and find it useful write an
endorsement and send it to the author.
Ask them to publicize your endorsement on their website with your
name along with a live link to your website address. If your endorsement is a
flattering one, most merchants will be more than happy to post it.
Next time we'll discuss getting tons of relevant
traffic to your site.
Your Partner In Success
Elizabeth