Looking for ways to build more incoming links to your website? More links to your website mean more opportunities to be found, and it will help boost your search engine rankings, too. Here are 10 strategies.
Comment on High Traffic Websites: One great way to not only boost your website rankings but to also increase your visibility and get additional traffic to your website is to post meaningful comments on blogs and websites that are relevant to your website's products/services.
Specialized Directories: Use the search engines to find trade associations and product directories that you can be listed in. You can find good, targeted directories by searching Google. For example, try this: "product name" or "service name" directory. For example: "life coach" directory or "website design" directory.
General Directories: General directories such as dmoz.org and alexa.com are free to request a link from. You may want to consider listings in some of the paid directories on individual basis. Their value for you will depend on your particular business and the type of traffic the directory generates.
Other Directories: Look at local directories such as yahoo.com and msn.com as well as small business directories, environmental/ethical directories, and other similar sites to request listings on. Also check the websites of the retailers/wholesalers you purchase from, the shopping cart or web host you use, and other businesses you work with. Many offer directories of their clients or retailers and you may be able to pick up some links and targeted traffic by being listed.
Article Marketing: Submitting articles you've written to article directories can be a great way to get links back to your website. Anyone who publishes you article will link to you in the resource box. A great place to start is www.ezinearticles.com
Shopping Websites: A very popular way to shop online is with the shopping directory and product comparison sites like Google Base and Shopping.com. Are your products listed there yet? It’s easier than you might think to get added! Google Base is a great place to begin. Formerly named Froogle, it’s a popular, free, easy to use comparison shopping website from the geniuses who brought us Google. Many popular carts offer a built-in system to upload directly to Google Base, so check with your cart's support team or your website support. You can also upload your items one at a time or using a spreadsheet: base.google.com If you offer books, look at getting them listed on Amazon.com. For podcasts, get listed in iTunes.
Review Products & Services: Take a few minutes to write honest testimonials for other solopreneurs or small businesses and email them. They are likely to print them on their websites and be willing to include a link to you.
Blog: Start a blog! It's a great way to get search engine traffic as well as build a sense of community with other bloggers and to help your visitors get to know you. Be sure to use your Blogroll feature, turn on your RSS and pings, and use social bookmarking plug-ins on your blog.
Social Networking Pages: Websites like MySpace, Facebook, and Ryze allow individuals to connect with others by sharing their interests, opinions, photographs, and whatever parts of their lives they choose. Take some time to explore a bit and see which sites are a good fit for you and reach your target market.
Links from Other Sites: Create a "Link to Us" page and offer visitors both well-written text links and a selection of banner ads to use.
Pick one or two of these ideas and get started!
