Search engine optimization : Linking strategies

Website link popularity is used to indicate how many other webpages link to your web page. It is calculated by counting thenumber of web pages that contain your link, also known as inbound links.

Proper website linking strategies can help you gain inbound links which in turn can greatly improve your search engine ranking. For this reason, it's wise to maintain link popularity strategies as part of your overall search engine optimization efforts.

There are several linking techniques and strategies used to obtain inbound links. Here are a few popular strategies that just may bring you the results you need:

1. Reciprocal linking
This strategy involves exchanging links with other sites. You put their link on your site, they put your link on theirs. Probably the most common linking strategy, but there are a few do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

- Link only to sites that have a page rank.It's my preference to link to sites that have a page rank of 4 or better, however lower ranking is certainly acceptable.
I don't, however, recommend linking to sites that have no page rank at all. Sites that are penalized by the search engines for spamming or other various reasons will not achieve page rank, therefore; if you link to them you are liable to be penalized as well. This is not to say that all PR0 sites are being penalized,this is not the case at all, but since you have no way of knowing for sure, it's safer, in my opinion, to wait until the site gains some sort of page rank before you link to it.

- Look for sites with high page rank but few links.The higher the page rank and the fewer the links, the better. Stay away from link farms, these are typically sites with low or no page rank and many, many links.

- Link only to like sites.Link to sites that are related to your site's topic. If your website is about pet care, link only to sites that are about pet care.

- Include your best keywords in the title and description that you give to your reciprocal link exchange sites. This creates association between your keywords and your site.

- Place your very best link exchange sites on your home page.Don't overload your homepage with links, however it's acceptable to include a few high page rank links.

- Try to make sure the links coming into as well as going out from your page are related to the content on your page. Also try to keep the text of the link itself related to your page's topic.

2. Write articles and submit them to sites that accept articles.
Submit your articles with your resource box containing your name and website address. Article sites often have high page rank. Also, if someone decides to use your article on their site or in their newsletter you've just received a newinbound link.

3. Write product testimonials for products you found worthwhile and make sure the testimonial contains your website address. You will not only gain an inbound link, you can draw traffic from those that read your testimonial.

4. Include your own website's navigation as a linking strategy
Every page of your site should include links to the rest of your site. It's a good idea to include a site map as well. Keep all your site navigation links consistent on each page.

5. Create useful and unique content on your website that will compel others to link to you. This will not only help improve your link popularity but it will also satisfy the search engines and very possibly increase your keyword search ranking.

6. Join Forums
Ask questions and contribute your knowledge.This will allow you to place your site URL in your signature line, which in turn creates an inbound link for you.
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