Resources

Link building is a highly vital aspect of internet marketing. The web and most, if not all, of web sites around require links to other websites so as to receive traffic, as well as to provide visitors with resources to back up any information which these sites offer. A website with solid original content and strong inbound links will get visitors to view their site organically, or what is sometimes termed as naturally or algorithmically (via search engine ranking positions SERPs).

Nowadays, it has come to be that on-page SEO rudiments play a minimum or a small role in the ranking algorithm of any search engine. In particular, the very hub of the ranking algorithm of a search engine as esteemed as Google has always been, and will continue to be, anchor text and inbound links.

In order to have ideal links on your website, one important measure is that you ensure only one or at most two links for every linking domain. You can derive these links from other websites that opt to link to your website. Although it may be tempting to obtain site wide links, you must refrain from having them because they aren’t your normal linking pattern. Lest you want to be detected by Google and taken out of the search engine results list, you would be wise to stay away from site wide links.

Also, you would want to keep your reciprocal links to less then 5 percent of your overall linkage, since they are easily uncovered and tend to be associated with a neutral or negative assessment. Furthermore, it is also suggested that you use different versions of your keywords in your anchor text, you must also be aware that natural links are more likely to avoid the use of identical anchor text. In addition, you would want to have many different IP’s, and to make use of related links from websites that tackle the topic which you want to get ranked for. An even better idea would be obtain links from websites that have the topic of interest in the title or label of their pages.

There are many strategies that you can employ to ensure optimum link building for your website. One would be to submit to key directories, such as Yahoo, DMOZ and Business.com, which also increases your chances of receiving heavier traffic. Yet another option would be to submit to so-called second tier web directories, of which there are hundreds around. Typically, these directories charge around $10-80 as a one time review fee.

You don’t always have to spend, though. One thing that is so great about the internet is that there are actually hundreds of web directories which don’t charge for submission, but rather gain returns by means of putting up third party advertising. Also, if you are after receiving traffic of a particular niche, you would want to be listed in a topical web directory dedicated to that specific niche subject.

Another strategy would be to find out the top ten websites ranked for your specific topic in your preferred search engine. Contact the webmaster of those websites to see if they are interested in putting up your link. Google has recently frowned upon such practices, so be sure to use a rel='nofollow' in your outbound link/s. Similarly, you may also choose to do some reciprocal linking, wherein you trade links with some of the more prominent websites which are also involved in the same topics that your website deals with. And yet another similar strategy would be to donate to good causes, such as MozDev and Evolt.org.

Doing press releases also helps. Try to craft content so that is newsworthy, such as a line of products or the acquisition of a new company, and not just sending a release for the sake of it. PRweb.com is an excellent choice for a news and press release distribution service.

It would also help if you had functional pages which would invite links. You may achieve this by means of forums, or offering advice or a free tool. Likewise, you can also increase visitor traffic by giving away free stuff, such as free hosting or scripts, in exchange for links. Alternatively, if you have paying clients or colleagues, you may politely ask them to put up links to your website and vice versa.

One other strategy would be to write articles. Yes, you can generate links by inserting a link in your byline and presenting your articles to similar websites, all under the pretext of writing an article. Writing testimonials for other websites, or posting clever input to blogs and forums, also works in pretty much the same way, ensuring that you always include a link to website, of course. It all basically boils down to exposure.

You may also want to feature and interview people whom you think may have a lot of friends who will link on to the interview you will post on your site. Or you may be the one to give the interview, that’s if you think you are capable of generating interest. You may also give out awards or put up contests which you yourself have made up, with these awards and contests being related to the field of interest that your website is about. The important thing here, like for all the rest of the strategies discussed, keeping your link displayed.

Make full use of your friends, those who have websites at least, and tell them to include links to your website in their own sites. And if you are a member of such professional organizations as the AMA, or the MRI, or the BBB, request them to put up a link on their website to yours.

Last but not the least, just be sure that you really do have good, competent content on your website. There can perhaps be nothing more valuable than having quality content, and with this links to your website will all come rolling in naturally. It is important to state that Google does frown upon acquiring links for the sake of SERPs or rankings manipulation. You can get around this by asking the webmaster to insert a rel='nofollow' tag in your outbound link. More importantly, do not worry about search engine rankings, if you go into link building purely with a 'increase traffic' mentality, good rankings will eventually follow.