I made a really nice badge to use as link bait for local businesses. You can view it at the bottom of www.waikoloavacationrentals.com. I was curious if anyone had any input how to give people this badge and to make them feel as though they are getting award rather than them feeling like I am giving it to them to get a link?
Having a badge as a link will not really help you in search engine because you are losing the "keyword value" to be anchored where you are competing. However, if you wish to get a link using your badge, you can try targeting local blogs or vacation blogs. If I am the blog owner, I need to get some benefits or experienced good service in order to promote your badge. You can run a simple contest or giveaways that requires bloggers or website owners to have your badge as a requirement to enter the contest.
The alt img text should let google know what the badge is about. I also have a text link below the badge that goes to my home page. I think local businesses will use it, but I am just trying to figure out how to give it to them and at the same time make sure they put it on their site. The main benefit they will get is by being on that business page of my site.