| Link building is an extremely important part of any | | | | follows: |
| online marketing campaign. Since page rankings with | | | | • Unique Content-Having unique content on |
| the major search engines are influenced by the | | | | your site may draw webmasters who place a link to |
| number, as well as the quality of links that direct | | | | your site on theirs. This is often referred to as a |
| traffic to your website, knowing how to formulate | | | | "natural link." |
| and execute a link building campaign is imperative. | | | | • Reciprocal Links-This is simple, you trade |
| The first step in any link building campaign should be | | | | links with another website. This is usually only |
| to make sure that links exist on sites that you | | | | beneficial if both websites are targeting the same |
| already do business with. It is usually simple to get | | | | market, but are not in competition with one another. |
| links in such places, and they will more than likely | | | | This is commonly referred to as "link trading." |
| remain there for quite an extensive amount of time. | | | | • Writing Articles-Getting articles published |
| When starting out, make sure to have links in the | | | | online that you write is a great way to build links, as |
| following places: | | | | it affords you the opportunity to place a link to your |
| • Vendors and suppliers websites. | | | | site within the text of the article. Hence, the more |
| • Trade associations. | | | | articles you write and get published, the more links |
| • The Chamber of Commerce. | | | | you will be gaining. |
| • Friends' websites. | | | | • Message Boards and Blogs- Adding a link |
| • Customers' websites. | | | | within the signature line of posts that you make to |
| • Trade groups and associations websites. | | | | message boards and blogs is a good way to get free |
| Once your links have been placed with the | | | | advertising and build links. However, be sure to only |
| aforementioned sites, there are numerous other | | | | post on high quality sites, and only on those sites |
| steps that can be taken to efficiently build links. | | | | that pertain to the essence of your own websites' |
| Directories and Verticals | | | | content. |
| If you are serious about your website, you will | | | | Another way to find places for your links is to simply |
| definitely want to have it listed in all of the major | | | | search for them! There are virtually thousands of |
| directories, and if your website is industry specific, | | | | sites that will allow you to place a link for free, or for |
| being listed with an appropriate vertical that services | | | | a very nominal charge. To find these sites, use any |
| your industry will be extremely valuable. Major | | | | major search engine and type in any of the following |
| directories to be listed in include: | | | | search phrases: |
| • Yahoo | | | | • "submit a site" |
| • GoGuides | | | | • "submit your site" |
| • Joeant | | | | • "submit a URL" |
| • DMOZ | | | | • "submit your URL" |
| • Business | | | | • "list a site" |
| Some of these major directories charge a fee, while | | | | • "add a site" |
| some are free of charge, but do take longer to list | | | | • "add your site" |
| your link. If you need to find out if your industry is | | | | • "add a link" |
| serviced by a vertical, a quick search on the Internet | | | | • "add your link" |
| will provide you with the answer. | | | | You will discover many different sites where you can |
| How to Obtain Links | | | | add your link. Do a bit of research, and make sure |
| There are a variety of places, as well as ways in | | | | that you are placing links on quality websites that are |
| which to obtain links. There always seems to be a | | | | offer relevant, authoritative information. |
| difference of opinion among webmasters as to what | | | | Since there are so many different ways to build links, |
| works and what doesn't work when it comes to link | | | | you are sure to find a way that works great for |
| building. You will need to examine your specific needs, | | | | you, and that will raise the ranking of your website. |
| as well as what kind success you hope to have with | | | | Remember that it is the quality of links, and not |
| your website in order to determine what will work | | | | necessarily the quantity of links that is important. |
| for you. Some of the ways to obtain links are as | | | | |