Thinking of outsourcing your reciprocal linking? Think again. There are more benefits to linking than just getting links. Consider doing at least some work yourself. First let's make a master list, all the usual ways we can think of to get quality, relevant links back to a website. 1. Fill out a form or email a webmaster, asking for a reciprocal link. We'll assume for the purpose of clarity that we mean exchanging links to post to a traditional directory page. 2. Deep linking. You embed your partner's link into relevant text on a page other than your directory page, and your partner does the same with your link. 3. Links from signatures. This can be a signature you place at the end of every email you send out, or in forum posts. 4. Comments left on other websites. This can be a blog or a comment form on any website. These will usually have your website url attached to the comment. 5. Submit your website to niche or general website directories. These can be paid or free; I choose depending on what I need to do to get a link without having to put a link on my website. I prefer free, but it's a personal choice. 6. Write and syndicate articles and include your url link in the resource box. Write exclusive articles for high-traffic sites that rank highly in search engine results. Thinking Outside the Box 7. Mix up the above 5 ways. For example, if you'd like a link from a site with a higher page rank than your own, ask for a link on their directory page in exchange for a link on your homepage as well as in your directory. Save this idea for one or two HIGHLY relevant but non-competitive sites, and only if their search engine results are on, say, page 1 of Google. 8. Write testimonials and reviews. Communicate personally with webmasters. Write up a short review of their website or product rather than sending them a generic request for a link trade. Don't wait for them to ask for a testimonial, send them one anyways. For example, instead of saying "I visited your site and like it a lot, I agree with what you say about (blah blah) and thought we'd make great link partners, would you like to..." try summing up what it is about your business that relates to the other website. Promote your business in a way that's in XYZ's best interests to print as a testimonial- how their product benefits your business. As a webmaster, I'd love to receive an email like that. I'd write right back and ask if I could use it on my website. 9. Write reviews where they're asked for. Search around. Don't look too far ;-) The big names are the places you want to go. Take Amazon.com for example. People click over to Amazon with their credit cards ready. They are discerning shoppers and they are often repeat customers; they read reviews, they follow links to "what else purchasers of [a particular product] bought". So write reviews of products that relate to your website topic. Book reviews are the easiest; follow your nose to the bestsellers or new books in your category at the library. 10. Communicate with whoever you represent as an affiliate. Create a product such as a user manual or report ("10 Tips for Succeeding as an XYZ Affiliate" or "How to Increase Your Productivity Using [XYZ's Product] in your Home Office")and imbed your url link(s) in it. Let the affiliate program manager distribute your report or manual to his affiliates. Or again, write a glowing testimonial to the program, product or owner's customer service, etc. By thinking about how you can offer a benefit to your link partner, you'll not only be building relevancy and credibility in the eyes of the search engines, but you'll be building valuable relationships with your link partners and a reputation as an innovative, creative expert in your field. good luck to you
Very nice read thank you, some reminders of having beneficial link exchange instead of automated ones just to please search engines. You can transform this post as an article like you suggested in point #6 for your own site.
your article looks good but the true place for this article is http://forums.digitalpoint.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13 . link development forums
Very good list i really like the tip for putting a link on the front page and directory great idea thanks.
mantavn, you made some good points, but a couple are at least slightly off. So, basically spam other web sites...This doesn't work any more. If you email other webmasters, you should be very relevant and be intent on building a long term relationship with them. And this should be a very small % of your strategy. Most people (including me) delete these emails. Most blog software installs rel=nofollow on blog comments so these links have very little value as far as search engines are concerned. They can bring traffic and awareness though, which can turn into links. You left out what is currently the most effective way to get links: Create linkbait, and get the word out...you'll get links. One easy way to raise awareness about your new content/linkbait, and this is a great technique that gets COMPLETELY overlooked... If you're using WordPress, link out to other relevant posts from blogs using WordPress! The ping feature will alert other sites that you've linked to them and create a link (albeit nofollow) back to your site on their blog post. This is more valuable for visibility than direct PR transfer. HOWEVER, this IS good for SEO because often the author will visit your blog and if they like your article, they may link to you. I've gained a ton of links this way, not to mention traffic and Social Media votes (Del.icio.us, Digg, StumbleUpon, Netscape, etc) without even asking for them. Some of the other blog authors I've linked to have even become good friends of mine as we got to know each other over time. Think of the whole thing as a conversation between blogs. Linking out is overlooked by many, but an extremely valuable technique. One piece of advice with this...make sure that what you're doing benefits your readers and the blog authors you're linking to - what goes around comes around.
yeah,it is very informative.i am adding few tips more for increasing a backlinks . Press release Rss Blog commenting
I like the plan to write a review, testimonial or tips guide to help affiliates in a program that you promote. I try to let our affiliate partners ad content to Pingo's phone card affiliate program with a text link, when possible.