| Well actually, linking isn't fun at all. In fact, it's quite | | | | want to link to you, or they are simply too busy |
| tedious. Seeking, responding to requests and | | | | to respond. In that case, leave it and move on. I |
| adding links takes time and effort. But, if you're | | | | receive dozens of link requests a day. Sometimes |
| not actively building links the RIGHT way you are | | | | it takes me many weeks to get around to |
| going to be left behind. In other words, your site | | | | responding. You'll go mad worrying about links that |
| will be "Lost in Cyberspace". The plain fact is | | | | have not been reciprocated. Your time is better |
| Google, and to a lesser extent, other important | | | | spent. |
| search engines, reward sites with links from | | | | 6) When you receive a link request visit the site |
| relevant and important pages. | | | | and check that it meets with your requirements |
| If you want your site to deliver lots of targeted | | | | as set down on your link pages. Is it a quality site |
| search engine traffic (and who doesn't?) there are | | | | with good content or just a "link farm"? If it |
| two equally important factors: | | | | doesn't meet your requirements don't link to it. |
| 1) lots of keyword-rich, search engine friendly | | | | The webmaster SHOULD have already linked to |
| content | | | | your site but be prepared to overlook that |
| 2) lots of relevant, incoming links from the RIGHT | | | | breech of linking protocol if it's from a good |
| sources | | | | quality, high PR site. |
| For real success you need to cover BOTH of | | | | 7) Beware of webmasters who add your site to |
| these strategies. Don't concentrate on one and | | | | their "directory" which turns out to nothing but a |
| not the other. | | | | link farm i.e. has no useful content, just a bunch of |
| So, how do you go about building your links? It's | | | | links, and asks you to link to an entirely different |
| not rocket science, but as I said, it does take | | | | site, one that HAS good content. These |
| time and effort. From my own experiences, | | | | webmasters are playing you for a sucker. The |
| here's what you should do: | | | | benefit is all theirs. |
| 1) Download and install the Google Toolbar: | | | | 8) As I said in point #1, links from high PR pages |
| This will show you the PageRank of the page you | | | | are worth more than links from low or no PR |
| are viewing. PageRank is a measure, rated from 1 | | | | pages. Seek out high PR linking partners but keep |
| to 10, of the "importance" that Google gives to | | | | in mind it is the PR of the actual page your link is |
| that page. There has been a lot written about | | | | on that matters, NOT the PR of the home page. |
| PageRank. You don't need to become obsessed | | | | In other words if the home page PR is 5, but the |
| with it but it IS an important consideration when | | | | page your link is on is several layers deep in the |
| determining WHO to link to. A link from a PR-5 | | | | directory, it will probably have a PR of 0 and be |
| page is worth FAR more than a PR-0 page. | | | | of little benefit to you. Check the PR of the actual |
| 2) Establish a resource or links directory for your | | | | page your link is on, or is going to be on, before |
| site. This lets potential link partners see that you | | | | agreeing to exchange links. |
| are willing to exchange links. You should make it | | | | Each page on your links directory should be no |
| clear on your links pages what your linking policy is | | | | more than one click away from your home page, |
| i.e. under what conditions you will agree to | | | | and your linking partner's site should be the same. |
| exchange links. | | | | If your link is placed on a page which looks |
| 3) Your aim should be to build a resource | | | | something like this - directory/category |
| directory that is relevent to your business. Don't | | | | subcategory/subcategory with your link - you will |
| try to build a mini Yahoo with umpteen different | | | | derive NO value from that link. |
| categories. Keep your directory focussed on your | | | | 9) Be prepared to negotiate your links. Savvy |
| site theme. When you first start out you will be | | | | webmasters understand the value of links from |
| inclined to link to anybody in exchange for a link | | | | high PR pages. If you add a link to a PR-0 page |
| FROM anybody. This is a mistake. Be patient and | | | | on your site don't expect your link partner to put |
| choose your link partners carefully. | | | | your link on a PR-6 page, and your link partner |
| 4) Before requesting a link from another site, add | | | | shouldn't expect the same from you. Exchange |
| that site to your directory. Contact the | | | | value for like value. |
| webmaster and tell them you added their link | | | | When you first start out your site may not have |
| because you believe their site would be of | | | | any PR due to a lack of incoming links. This |
| interest to your visitors (and so it should). Give | | | | reduces your bargaining power. However, you can |
| the url where your link is located and ask for a | | | | overcome this by getting your site listed in as |
| return link, along with instructions on how you | | | | many large business directories as possible. Some |
| would like your link worded. NEVER demand by | | | | of these you will have to pay, such as Yahoo and |
| saying things like "if you do not link to us we will | | | | Microsoft's Business Directory, but many others |
| remove your link". | | | | are free. You'll find a good list here: |
| 5) If you have not received a reply after 2 - 3 | | | | 10) Be specific about how you want your link |
| weeks send a polite follow up. Again, don't | | | | partner to link to you. It is MOST important that |
| demand. No one is under any obligation to link to | | | | the link to you contain your targeted keywords in |
| you. If you do not receive a reply to your second | | | | the anchor (linked) text. |
| request it means that the webmaster does not | | | | |