Steps to follow while doing link exchange

Link Exchange is the one of the important and popular process to increase the link popularity of the website. Getting good quality of link is very tough. There are many criteria to be understand and followed before agreeing for link exchange with the other website. They are:

• Home page PR (pr should be equal or greater then your website)
• Website should be relevant to your website
• PR of the web page where our link will place should be equal to more than our resource page
• Resource Page should have link from home page.
• Resource page should not more than 2 clicks away from home page
• Resource page contains relevant link related to your website or business.
• Page should not contain more than 30 links.
• Resource page where you link will be place should not contains adult, porker, health related links.
• Resource page should be cached.
• Cached Date of the resource page should be checked. (If page is not recently cached then don’t do linking with the website i.e. if the page is cached 2 to 3 month back from the current month).
• Check the cached text of the resource page to know the content is crawled by search engine spider.
• Check
  

META NAME="ROBOTS" CONTENT="NOINDEX, NOFOLLOW"
META NAME="GOOGLEBOT" CONTENT="NOINDEX, NOFOLLOW
META NAME="ROBOTS" CONTENT="NOFOLLOW"
META NAME="ROBOTS" CONTENT="NOIMAGEINDEX"

Robot.txt :

Disallow: /
Disallow: /private_directory/
Disallow: /private_file.html

To know more about robot txt visit http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=40362&topic=8846 http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=61050&topic=8846

• Check whether the site is running properly or banned by the search engine.
• Check the resource page is it visible in search engine.
• Website should not be a Directory, it should be giving some business or selling products.
  

What is Link Baiting?

Akin to fishing, Link Baiting is the process of baiting online visitors to place links on an element within a website. The bait can be in the form of content or any other exciting feature that can attract web users.

Based on the principle of viral marketing, this link building technique has become exceedingly popular in recent times. Not only can it increase the number of links pointing to a web page, but also ensure they come from relevant, good quality sources.

The best way to go about link baiting is by devising a small publicity campaign around the feature that you want to be linked. You can make use of blogs, forums, online communities, et al, to spread word about the piece. If users find your piece impelling, they will, automatically, link to it. This means, you get effective back links without actually going around requesting for the same!

Listed below are some of the easiest link baiting techniques:

• Provide information that your users may find useful. You can also guide them on how to go about a certain task.
• Spread news about latest developments in your industry. People like to keep themselves updated about the world, and will be drawn to your bait.
• Offer something humorous or controversial. In both cases, you will be able to catch the attention of a visitor. However, when you write something controversial, make sure you have strong justifications for the same.
  

Try these baits and you will be able to attract the 'big fish' – web traffic!

Deep Linking – An Overview

In lay terms, deep links are links that point to a specific page on a website, instead of the site's homepage. Most of the links pointing to a website are directed to the homepage. However, if your site manages to have a sound deep-linking structure, it will have great prospects in search engine indexing.

Although search engines do not give extra importance to deep linked pages, such links always make your link building campaign appear 'natural'. As an optimiser, you should work on all your web pages, instead of focusing just on the homepage. In fact, the homepage should not be bombarded with keyword targeting.

When you allow deep linking on your site, keep the following points in mind:

• Your visitors should know which page they have landed on. Make way for hassle-free internal navigation and help users proceed to other sections of your website.
• Provide relevant links on every page and make sure each of your internal pages link back to the homepage. Use anchor texts smartly to impress search engine crawlers.
• Do not assume the arrival source of your visitors. They might have no idea about your website when they land on an internal page. Therefore, you have to make each of your pages informative and relevant to your business. Provide good info on your main products and services and lure users to 'act'.
  

In my next post, I will discuss some other important aspects of deep linking and how it contributes to the success of your website.

Influential Link Building Factors

This one's straight from the horse's mouth! I recently came across an online report that listed down the most influential factors of a link building campaign, as stated by SEO professionals themselves. Thought of sharing it with my readers. Read through this list and weigh these factors on your own importance scale.

Positive Factors
Anchor text
Age of the link
Type of link (image or text)
Quantity of links
Reciprocal links
Location of link on the web page
Location of link in the source code

Negative Factors
Links in a Robots.txt excluded web pages
Links in penalised pages
Redirected links
JavaScript links
Paid links
Links on NoIndex page

Every webmaster or optimiser has a different take on all these factors. But, by and large, the negative points mentioned here impacts almost every site.

Search engines cannot penalise you if the 'wrong' kind of sites point a link to your web pages. However, you risk being blacklisted if it is the other way round. When you strategise the link building campaign for your business, be very careful of who you link to.

Link Building Dos and Don'ts

Search engine optimisation companies face numerous queries about what is right or wrong for the process of link building. Through this post, I'll try and dispel some common misconceptions about this service. Listed below are the dos and don'ts for webmasters indulging in link building:

Dos

• Vary the anchor text of all your external links. Incorporate your main keywords in accordance with the landing page of the link.
• All that you do for your link building campaign should be well documented for future use. Take time out from your schedule and make sure you have a written record of internal and external links of your site
• Use news agency sites or RSS feeds to get links back to your web pages. Not only do they bring targeted traffic, but also strengthen your optimisation campaign.
• If you can afford it, buy links from popular industry-related websites. This will add on to your popularity and also get you desired traffic.
• Exchange links with sites that are relevant to your business. Do not waste your time in building links with websites that are not related to your industry at large.
  

Don'ts

• Buy links for any other reason but advertising. Most search engines detest web pages that have 'paid for' links pointing at them. You will lose your credibility and rankings by doing so.
• Get into negative techniques like spamming blogs, forums or user groups. Violating cyber laws can get you and your website into trouble.
• Exchange links with link farms or websites offering special reciprocal link schemes. If caught, you can get penalised or blacklisted by search engines.
• Keep these points in mind when you set about establishing the link building programme for your website.

Are Search Engines Scrutinising your Links?

As optimisers, we often tend to underestimate search engines. We believe we can get away with all sorts of smart techniques without getting noticed. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Search engines have, in due course, devised algorithms that can easily track back your links to their source of origination.

Most SEOs practice article and directory submissions so as to get links back from various free and paid directories available online. Articles are ideally meant for web users' interests and benefits. You write on subjects related to your business so as to inform readers about your industry at large.

In the eyes of search engines, such means of link building are unacceptable. They can follow your link's anchor text and easily figure out if they are artificial. For them, links are original only if other websites willingly point towards your pages.

What does an optimiser do then? First of all, make sure that anchor text of all your links are as different as possible. By doing so, you'll be able to create an illusion of these links being original. Secondly, do not go begging for link backs from directories. Make your site so appealing that webmasters are lured to link to it. Let them consider you as a resourceful website that deserves to be linked to.

Try these simple tactics, and you can save your link building campaign from the intense scrutiny that search engines might subject it to.

Stay away from Mass Link Submissions

I guess all of us have come across online ads screaming, 'Get your links submitted to 500 websites in one go!' or, 'We will submit your links into free directories', etc. These services are quick and seemingly profitable – just fill up a form, get your site listed in numerous directories and generate link backs for your web pages.

Luring as they might be, such claims are just that... claims! Do not be fooled by the so-called effectiveness of such optimisation tactics. Search engines have become quite strict nowadays. They do not allow optimisers to manipulate their algorithms as per their whims and fancies.

Services like link building have also come under the scanner. Each and every incoming link of a web page is scrutinised before being taken under consideration for search engine indexing. Sites or free directories 'selling' links to bidders are being blacklisted left, right and centre. Links submitted thereon, therefore, go for a toss, standing absolutely no chance of being crawled by search engine spiders.

What does an optimiser do in such a situation? The best solution is to take one link at a time. It might be a taxing and time-consuming process, but, it is any day better than getting your site blacklisted on search engines. Also, vary the anchor text of your links as much as possible. Keeping one text for all your links will get search engines take close notice of your site's operations, and you definitely do not want to invite trouble!

You will be surprised to find that a number of websites that do not follow these tips have been doing well over a period of time. But then, there are exceptions in every domain. Long-term SEO success beckons those who stand by the rulebook and do not stray into negative zones to procure high rankings.

'Give and Take' Links to Boost your Website's Ranking

Extremely effective when it comes to boosting a website's link popularity, reciprocal linking works on the simple concept of 'give and take'. This not only helps in bettering traffic inflow, but also establishes your site as a one that everyone wants to be linked to.

The biggest challenge is to find a site that will be willing to reciprocate your link. Webmasters can scan the web for sites that are best related to their business and pick the ones that can be beneficial in their link building campaign. This relevance can be in terms of either content or links.

More than anything else, the site should have a target audience that is almost same as yours. If it fails to arouse your interest, in all likelihood, it'll be a flop with your visitors too. Be judicious enough to pick 'similar' sites that will not end up competing with you. Find out about web pages that have reciprocal links with your competitors' sites and then try and get them into an arrangement with you too.

When you decide to write an email for reciprocal linking, make sure that the site or web page in question does not have too many outbound links. This will affect your page's credibility as well the PageRank (if you use Google). These simple tips can be quite rewarding for search engine optimisers seeking high rankings through link exchange.

Bust Link Building Myths

Optimisation experts have confusing viewpoints about the process of link building. There are a number of myths that actually influence their style of working. It is therefore important to have clarity in this regard.

Listed below are a few of the most common myths that often hinder the process of search engine optimisation:

• Not all free directories are worthy of one-way linking. Apart from DMOZ (Open Directory Project), the others are actually not valuable enough. Search engines like Google use this directory because of its credentials and popularity amongst websites. You can also submit your site to certain free directories, but don't waste too much time on the 'incompetent' ones.
• As far as paid directories are concerned, Yahoo is one of the most effectual ones. For a reasonable amount, it can bring in substantial linking value for your website. Instead of spending too much money on them, you should rather undertake research and go for the orthodox link request process.
  
• A number of businesses consider link building as a simple process that can be carried on by in-house marketers. However, this is not the case. It is a complicated process that demands professionalism and an all-inclusive knowledge of the field of SEO. Therefore, it is best left t experts or service providers.
  

It is also wise to remember that link building is not the only or guaranteed means of high search engine rankings. It is just one of the many optimisation techniques that can bolster your prospects on SERPs. Therefore, you also need to put in a good amount of effort on the other on-page and off-page services

Link Exchange and its Types

The process of link building heavily depends on external websites and their interest in linking to you. Your campaign can be successful only if you cater to sites that are relevant to your business or industry at large.

When we talk of link exchange, we essentially discuss the following three types of it:

a) One-way link exchange - Web pages are submitted in article directories that, in turn, provide backlinks to your pages. Links can be picked up from free directories that are game for one-way linking.

b) Two-way link exchange – Two websites mutually agree to give a link to each other's web pages so as to divert traffic. These sites are usually related to the same product, business or industry. In fact, link exchange will be successful only if you link up with sites that get visitors that also comprise your potential customer base.

c) Three-way link exchange – Suppose you own two websites, wherein one is an established one, and the other is relatively new. You can get into link exchange with a third prominent website – in the process, your established site will link to this third-party site, and it will, in turn, link to your new site. Fairly newer web pages can gain links on prominent websites using this programme.

Most webmasters prefer getting into one-way link exchange, because it does not demand too much time or money. You can simply submit your pages online and get link back to your site. However, each website has its own optimisation requirements and you should choose the technique that best suits your business.

Link Building – The Process

An effectively linked website can do your online business a world of good, both in terms of revenues and traffic. Adopt the following approach to go about the process of link building for your optimisation campaign:

1. Run a search query for your most important keywords, and have a look at the top 20 sites that feature on SERPs. Most of these sites will be your competitors'. You can also pick and choose website submitted on online directories like DMOZ or Yahoo.
   
2. Scan the websites these top-ranked sites have linked to, and if you find them worthwhile, use them in your campaign as well. To do this, you can either use freely available web tools, or the backlink command provided for in directories.
3. Also check the sites that link to your competitors' sites. It'll be easy to get into link exchange with them, as you are part of the same industry as your rivals.
4. Have a look at every website that you have shortlisted. Identify the pros and cons of their web pages, and only then take the next step.
5. Send a link proposal through email, clearly stating the facts about your site and business. Write the email in an impelling manner so that the site's webmaster sees reason in linking to your site.
   

Once you have adhered to this step-by-step process, keep a track of which sites are actually replying back, and which of them are interested in getting into link exchange with you. Also monitor the incoming links of your site, so that you can do away with the ones that can be harmful for your site's prospects on search engines.

The Benefits of Being Linked Up

In my last blog, I had talked about 'Link Popularity', a concept that helps determine the popularity of a website, as vouched for by other external web pages. However, why should we get into link building in the first place? What are the benefits we can derive out of the process of link exchange?

First and foremost, links get traffic. When websites point to your site, they automatically divert their visitors to you. This increases your traffic influx, and can also lead to a improvement in your sales revenues. If you target Google as your primary search engine, then links can help you get better PageRank or PR. This trademarked algorithm takes quality and quantity of incoming links into consideration when calculating the PR of a page.

Links can also help you get your web pages indexed faster on a search engine result page. Even if your pages are deeply nested in your site structure, they can be easily crawled if other websites point towards them. Lastly, links make crawling of dynamic web pages faster. Even though the content of such pages change frequently, their links can lead to faster indexing by search engine spiders.

In case you thought link building is just another SEO service, think again. Its benefits are far greater than what's 'visible' to the eye. Focus your search engine marketing campaign on this technique, and you will never regret your decision!

Enhance Web Popularity by Establishing Links

When we discuss link building as a search engine optimisation tool, it is but essential to talk about Link Popularity. This term refers to a site's popularity with regard to the number (and quality) of links pointing to it from other websites.

One of the most effective means of procuring high search engine rankings, link building will be successful only if other 'entities' in the online marketplace cast a 'vote' for your website. When a site points at one of your web pages, it means that it wants its users to visit that page. In doing so, it automatically enhances the popularity of your site.

As discussed in the previous post, links should be established with sites that have some relevance to your content, or business in general. For example, if you run an online movie shop, it will be extremely beneficial if you are linked to sites related to movies (studios, magazines, film sites, etc.).

Apart from giving a boost to your web traffic, link popularity will save a lot of your time and money that would have otherwise been spent on promotional tactics. As more and more sites link to you, search engine spiders will be able to crawl and index your web pages with minimal efforts.

A word of caution here! Do not encourage links coming from link farms or banned sites/networks. Although it is not possible for you to stop people from linking to your site, you can always take certain precautionary measures to control the situation.