While many factors of search engine optimization change with the times, one constant that will probably always factor in how search engines rank sites is the number of links pointing back to your website. Building high-quality back links should be a key priority for your search engine optimization strategy.
What is Link Popularity?
Link popularity is how search engines calculate the quantity and quality of links to a website. Quantity is simply how many websites link back to your site. Quality is how relevant the website linking to your site is to your subject matter.
It’s not enough just to get a large number of links from various websites. To have the most effect on your search ranking, the best links are from websites in a related industry. For instance, a marketing blogger might link to another marketing blogger or a bankruptcy law firm might link to a credit counseling company. The idea is that the website topics are related somehow. If a lawyer links to a dog grooming site, it won’t carry as much weight because the topics are seemingly unrelated.
When you build links to your site, aim for quality links first.
8 Ways to Build Links Back To Your Site
Getting other people to link to you can be challenging. Link building often is time-consuming and you only see gradual results. Years ago, it was much easier to build links because search engines weren’t as strict about which websites linked to others. Now, search engines have cracked down on spam sites whose sole purpose is to link to other spam sites. Here are a few ways to generate links to your website.
- Reciprocal links – Reciprocal linking isn’t dead. If you run a blog and want to link to exchange links with another blogger, that’s OK. If you run a business and want to link to your partners, that’s fine too. Your links should be of value to the people visiting your website. You might get link exchange request emails from people you have never heard of. If the email doesn’t sound genuine or the website they will place your link on looks spammy, don’t do it.
- Directory links – These can work as well if you submit your site to a few high-quality directories. Many directories require you to pay a fee to join, and most aren’t worth it. Some potential directories to check out include the Yahoo Directory ($299/year) and Best of the Web ($299.95). If there are any major directories in your industry, consider submitting to them. Also consider some of the many blog directories if you have a blog.
- Produce content – If you regularly publish articles, free reports, podcasts or video, you have a much greater chance of getting people to link back to that content.
- Send testimonials – If you have used a product or service, sometimes you can submit your testimonial and the site owner will give you a link back to your website.
- Conduct interviews – Interview key players in your niche. Often, the interviewee will link to you, as well as some of his or her readers.
- Guest blogging – Build relationships with prominent bloggers in your industry by leaving useful blog comments or interacting with them on social media sites. As you build rapport, ask if you can submit a guest post to their blog for a back link.
- Press releases – Many online press release services give you the option to link back to your website.
- Submit articles – Article marketing is a great way to build back links. Consider writing and submitting articles to ezinearticles.com and other article directories for back links.
Though it takes work, if you spend a few minutes each day getting quality back links to your website, your results will pay off long-term.
Join our weekly Marketing Success mailing list and receive our free 43-page Small Business Marketing Plan guide. 
