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Let me try reading your mind. You're thinking, "What? Google proof my site
with links? I thought links helped Google rank my pages higher?"
And you're absolutely right. They do.
But links do something else. They give you a backup source of traffic for those
days, weeks, or months when Google spasms out. Something content alone can't
do.
So while content and on-page optimization count, to me links are what separates
the men from the boys.
Now links come in three flavors:
- Directory Links
- Reciprocal Links
- One Way Links
Let's briefly cover each.
====> Directory Links
Unlike some, I'm not especially enamoured with directory links. For me their
role has been to serve as the initial link(s) for a site so Google can find
it. Other than that I find them more trouble than they're worth. Unless they're
specifically targeted to your niche.
Still if you gotta have some let's round up the usual free or "for fee"
suspects:
- www.joeant.com
- www.jayde.com
- www.goguides.org
- www.skaffe.com
- www.dmoz.org
- www.bluefind.com
Simply pony up some cash for express review and you can get yourself decent
directory links in no time.
====> Reciprocal Links
Reciprocal links cost you nothing but time. They're pretty much forever. And
if your site is link worthy, that is has decent content and pagerank (PR), you
should have no trouble getting at least a third of those you approach to swap
links with you.
Even better each link back to your site has the potential to deliver up a heapin’
helpin’ of
- PR
- Traffic
- Link reputation (from the link text)
Since they're there for the asking, make sure you're spending a couple hours
a week soliciting link trades.
====> One Way Links
Some feel one way links carry more ranking firepower. I'm not so sure. But
there are many ways to get one way links. My two favorites? Articles and rented
links.
Article Links
I know every one and his dead dog touts article marketing as a way to gain
exposure, links and presumably traffic. But they really do work. Maybe not overnight.
But if you hang in there you'll find you can build your online reputation and
create a steady stream of traffic to your site too.
Yet their real fire power is unleashed if they appear in ezines read by your
prospects.
Also when I'm on the prowl for link partners, I keep my eyes open for anything
that would suggest the site posts guest articles. When I find one, I fire off
the link swap request and submit an article. Hey, a two-fer!
Now if you don't have the skill or inclination to write articles you can have
them ghost written. Or if you want a turn key solution complete with a guarantee
of 20 inbound links, you can have the articles written and promoted for you
by www.promotewitharticles.com.
Rented Links
Notice the choice of terms. I prefer to look at links I pay for, ostensibly
as "advertising" (wink wink), as rented links. Rented since they aren't
forever unless you choose them to be a permanent part of your marketing plan.
Not only that, they are a great way to jumpstart the PR of a newer site. Making
it infinitely easier to land reciprocal links. Which once accomplished frees
you to jettison the rented ones!
Two ways you can go. You can use a link broker:
- www.textlinkbrokerage.com
- www.linkadage.com
- www.linkxperts.com
- www.text-link-ads.com
Somewhat safer in that you have someone else besides the webmaster to look to
if something goes awry.
Yet if you're more adventuresome and willing to dig a bit you may discover
some very cost effective text links.
For example this week in just 10 minutes I found a PR 5 site selling text link
advertising for $15 a month. I jumped on that like a duck on a wounded June
bug. Also found a site with PR 7 links for just $75 a month. Again, I didn't
think twice about signing up for that bargain either.
Just remember when it comes to buying links "you pays your money you takes
your chance". One friend confided he had spent $300/month on links and
the promised PR 7 never materialized once PR updated. I invested less but from
what I can see also got squat in the PR department too with a recent rental
for a newer site.
Still when it works out rented links can have an almost magical affect on your
rankings.
Anyway there you go. Three ways to get links that when coupled with optimized
content can make your site an unstoppable traffic magnet. While making it Google
proof to boot.
John Gergye shares more ideas like this in his just updated eBook "Traffic
From Google in 35 Days". Find out more
here: http://www.traffic-test-tube.com/j/tfg35cl.shtml/
Or test your search engine IQ by taking his seo quiz
http://www.traffic-test-tube.com/search-engine-quiz.shtml/
and get the free special report "Coming Out On Top". |
