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| SEO Optimization - Backlinks - SEO tip-a-day series |
Search engine optimization takes a lot of work and persistence. However, the idea is to work smart, and it doesn't hurt if you allocate your time on proven strategies. In this article I will discuss the benefit of back-links and how they can improve your search engine rankings. You earn a back link each time another web site links to your site. Because most often, search engine spiders such as Google and Yahoo find and spider sites by following links, the more back links you have, the better your site will fare in the rankings. This also reflects on your site's popularity, since the more sites feel that including a link to your site would benefit their visitors, the better and more popular your content. Sounds simple right? Well, it is and it isn't. In the next few paragraphs, I will help you understand what quality links are and give you some proven strategies on getting them. Types of back-links: 1 - One way links - where a site links to yours but you do not link back to that site (valuable) 2 - 2 way / reciprocal links - when you exchange links with another site (less valuable) We'll begin from the latter. 2 way links, a.k.a reciprocal links, a.k.a link exchange, is where you show them theirs and they show you yours. This type of linking isn't necessarily a strategy way to get listed higher in the search engines, but if done properly, is a good way to get more targeted exposure, and in turn traffic. Since search engines no longer place much value on reciprocal links, it is important to utilize this marketing tactic to receive more targeted exposure. What I mean by targeted exposure, is having the link to your site visible to the type of visitor you want, the type that will be interested in your content, product or service. The more targeted traffic you get, the better the chances are that you will gain a new repeat visitor/customer, and one that would later recommend your site to others. This is good targeted traffic, the kind you would even pay for. So how do you get reciprocal links? First ensure that your site is attractive to other webmasters. Build a quality site, and offer good quality content that would give other webmasters a reason to link to your site. Think about it. Would you put up a link for all your visitors to see if when followed it is of no value to them? How will this reflect on you and your content? Once your site content is ready, search sites in complementing industries and subjects. Sites that would benefit your visitors but would not directly compete with yours. Create a list of top sites, sites that rank well with search engines. Once you compile your list, see if these sites offer to exchange links. If not, contact the webmasters and request they consider exchanging links with you. Try and sell the benefit of exchanging that link - why it would benefit their site visitors, how a reciprocal link on your site would give them more targeted exposure etc. Do not spam and do not nag. One friendly, professional e-mail and maybe a second one after some time has passed with no response is quite sufficient. If you receive no response, don't fret- you do have a large list of other sites that you prepared - right? It is important to stress that you try and limit your back links to sites with good page rank. If you link or are linked from sites that spam or are otherwise viewed negatively by search engines, your ranking will suffer as well. How to get one way links - As I mentioned before, one way links WILL reflect on your rankings. Here is a list of ways to get them: 1- Directories - Submit your site to as many free, good quality directories as you can. If you offer a blog, submit to blog directories. If you serve a niche market or a geographical area, submit to directories and/or categories that attract your target market. To improve your exposure, prepare and alternate several title tags and your targeted keywords. 2-Article submissions - If you are an expert on a topic and have the time to share it, article marketing is an excellent way to gain valuable one way links and targeted exposure. All article submission sites will allow you to link back to your site in a resource box, and some allow you to include more links in the article body. Highly ranked article submission directories get spidered often, and an added benefit, is that your article - if it is of good quality, will probably be dug and included in many other web sites looking for free content. 3-Signature lines - Another excellent way to get more one way links is to participate in highly ranked, topic related forums, that allow you to include a link back to your site in the signature line. If you utilize this method, make sure you read each forum's policies in regards to signature lines and link inclusion, since well ranked forums are usually highly moderated, and spamming the site will result in the removal of your links, so all that time spent reading and responding will go to waste. Also, remember, that if you participate in a forum in an appropriate manner, contribute your thoughts and knowledge, you will consequently encourage the forum guests to click through to your site, resulting in more targeted traffic for you. 4- Article / Blog comments - One final tip I have is to search for highly rated/recommended blogs and article sites that attract the visitors you seek. Read through and participate in commenting, and you've earned another one way link. Again, provide thoughtful comments and your efforts will be rewarded - higher rankings, more exposure and valuable targeted traffic.
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| Search Engine Optimization (SEO) | |