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Linking Strategies for Online
Businesses
© 2003 By
Angela Wu
Building the number of relevant, inbound links to your
website is an ongoing task -- but it can have tremendous
payoffs in terms of increased traffic, more credibility, and
thus additional profits.
Here are a few strategies to help improve your link
popularity:
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1. Create a Links Directory.
If you have a content-rich site, a quality,
relevant, and comprehensive links directory is a great way
to encourage repeat visits. It offers a convenient resource
that people can refer to time and time again -- plus they
may tell others about it as well. Don't underestimate the
power of referrals!
You can choose to ask for a reciprocal link
from the sites that are listed in your directory. Hand-pick
these sites and visit them first to determine whether or not
they are suitable for your directory before you send a
personalized reciprocal link request to the appropriate
address.
There are a number of tools that can automate
the creation and maintenance of a links directory. However,
if you allow people to submit their own links, consider
screening each link manually before posting it on your site.
You'll have better control over the quality of the sites
listed, and help to minimize dead links while also providing
your visitors with a valuable resource.
Two tools that can you locate potential link
partners are:
* Web Ferret: http://www.webferret.com/
* Zeus: http://www.cyber-robotics.com/
2. Write and Distribute Articles.
Websites and publishers are always looking for
quality fresh content. Offer reprint permission for your
articles in exchange for credit and a resource box with a
link back to your site. Submit your work to one of the many
"article banks" online, as well as to any
appropriate syndication channels.
If your writing is popular, over time you will build
a large number of links back to your site. Articles also
have the advantage of building not just your traffic, but
also your credibility as an expert in your field.
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3. Update Your Website Content.
If you wish to allow other sites or
publications to
use your content, display your publishing terms above or
below each article. For instance, you might grant reprint
permission if the publisher contacts you first. Or you may
simply allow reprinting without notification, provided that
your business gets credit for the article along with a link.
You can make it easy for others to pick up your
article by offering it, already formatted, by autoresponder.
4. Get Your Product or Website Reviewed.
Some websites accept product or website
suggestions, so get in there and suggest your own! You can
also use site announcement lists, send press releases, or
use forums (if acceptable within the rules of the forum --
ask for moderator approval first).
A great review, particularly on a popular site,
can generate a surge of interest in your business. Some of
these people may even bookmark your site for later reference
or sign up for your newsletter. So not only do you get a
link, but you also get possible future sales!
5. Make It Easy for Others to Link To You.
If you offer a valuable resource, you'll find
that other sites will just naturally link to you -- often
without telling you. You can make it as easy as possible
with a "Link To Us" page that offers the graphics,
text links, and HTML code they can use on their own sites.
If you have terms or conditions for linking to your site,
display those too.
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6. Build A Community.
People like to feel as if they belong
somewhere, and an online community is one way to do just
that. For instance, message boards and discussion lists are
popular -- if you have the time and the willingness to
create, promote and moderate them. Other sites may link to
popular communities, even to specific topics or pages within
the community.
7. Submit Your Site.
Many sites will accept free submissions. Go to
a search engine such as Google ( http://www.google.com/
) and type in:
"search phrase" +"suggest a
site"
Replace "search phrase" with a phrase that's
relevant to your business - for instance, if you sell
exercise tapes, you could try "women's health",
"lose weight", or "health and fitness".
Other phrases you can try in place of
"suggest a site" include "add a site",
"add URL", "suggest a URL", and so on.
If you're not interested in trading links, do this:
"search phrase" +"suggest a
site" -reciprocal
Take a few moments to browse each site to
ensure your site is compatible with theirs. If they sell
their own brand of exercise tapes, for example, they may not
be willing to link to yours. View the other links that have
been accepted to get an idea of who they're willing to link
to. Aim to get linked on popular and useful websites, rather
than simply on "as many sites as possible".
Increasing the number of inbound links to your site doesn't
have to be an arduous task. Even an hour or two a week will
help to continuously build your website's popularity over
time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a
practical guide to marketing a business on a beginner's budget. This
guide offers loads of instantly useable tips and links, in a
down-to-earth style that even marketing "newbies" can
understand! A helpful Online Business Dictionary is included too...
visit: http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.htm
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