A common mistake is to get as many links as possible. Hundreds of links might seem like you’re on to a good thing, but unless they lead to relevant websites they’re about as useful as a scooter is to a goose. Implement the following rules of link building to build the visibility of your website in the world of the web.
As you construct your online empire, you need good quality links to get higher search engine rankings and put your website out there in the public.
A common mistake is to get as many links as possible. It pays to be discerning and know a good link from a bad one, as search engines are smart enough to judge in a split second how genuine links are. Hundreds of links might seem like you’re on to a good thing, but unless they lead to relevant websites they’re about as useful as a scooter is to a goose. Implement the following rules of link building to build the visibility of your website in the world of the web.
Like a new Weight Watchers member embarking on a diet, cut the junk from your website’s pantry. Bad links are those that are ‘dead’, leading to a website that doesn’t exist or has since moved or closed down.
Bad links are also those that lead to irrelevant websites. It doesn’t help the page ranking of your Perth roof tiling business to link to a number of McLeod’s Daughters fan sites. Instead, our tiler could build up a bank of links to tile suppliers and construction companies with a focus on roofing.
Directories are the new digital version of the old local phonebook. A source of listings of trades and services in a particular locale or industry, directories are reputable links if you go with one that has a high ranking. Run a search for ‘directory’ and your area name and contact a handful of the best looking ones with link request.
For our Perth tiler, www.perthperth.com, www.streetsofperth.com.au, www.perthexchange.com and www.truelocal.com.au are good places to list a service such as area-specific roof revamping.
Instead of just having one page titled “Links” where you house your online rolodex, place links throughout the text of your entire website. On our Western Australian tiler’s “Services” page, he could mention the brands of tiles that he uses with links to the manufacturer’s websites. On the “About Us” page, he could link to the institution that he trained at when listing his qualifications. The more links on each page, the higher the ranking, as long as they’re relevant.
For people to follow a link to your page and trust your opinions on a topic you need to come across as a reputable source of information. Forums and online discussions are a great place to communicate with potential customers and make comments about what you know best. You can have a link to your website in the signature that you create for yourself that shows up at the end of each comment like an email signature.
Our tiler – let’s call him Pete – could hunt out some home renovation websites with discussions. If I was wanting my roof tiled, that’s where I would go for real people’s opinions and experiences. http://forum.homeone.com.au would be the perfect place for Pete to show off his knowledge and contribute to conversations by answering the questions people have left about roof tiling. He should also leave a few comments about carpeting based on his own personal experience as a consumer while he’s there, so it doesn’t look like he’s just out for a little shameless self-promotion.
To get links back to your website from desirable (good authority and highly ranked) sites, you need to take action by writing letters of request for link exchange. There is an art to the Link Exchange Letter, as anything that even vaguely smells like spam will be deleted instantly.
You need to make your letter genuine and personal by including:
Hello _________,
My name is ______________.
I have been spending some time on your website, (Site Name), at http://__________.
I am contacting you about my site, (Site Name), http://____________, with regards to your links section at http://____________.
As per the link request instructions on your site, I would like to request a link to our (description of website products/services) in your __________ section at http://______________.
Please let me know if the above provides you with the information you need to review and consider our new section for linking. I can be reached via email at email@address.com, or, if you'd like to talk about this by phone, my direct number is (12) 3456 7891.
I have also subscribed to your e-newsletter and look forward to receiving it.
Kind Regards,
Your Name, for Your Website Name
mailto: email@address.com