Link building is probably the most important thing you can do to increase traffic to your website. It is among the top things that search engines look for when ranking a website. Yes, it does take a lot of work and yes it can be frustrating waiting for the search engines to catch those websites with links to your website, but in the end, everything you do will pay off and turn into higher traffic for you. If you aren’t sure how to start building up your backlinks, here are just a few tips to start you off
Give other blogs a reason to link back to you. Blog owners are always on the prowl for new content and if you can provide something useful to them, they will link to it. Articles such as this one would be a great way to get information out in the world and also set you up as an authority on the subject. Be sure to request that the full article not be published on their website. Instead, ask for a short description of the article and a link back to your website to view the entire article.
Create a list of resources that others may want to share with their website visitors. For example, if you run a website for photographers you may include a resource list of all vendors that a photographer may use in their business along with links to their websites. These resource lists are very popular for other people to link to.
Write about other businesses or individuals either in a review style or as a “what’s new” type post that will highlight that business. Be sure to send them a link to what you wrote about them. Many times, these businesses will post on their own website about what you wrote and may include a link back to your website.
Search engines are great but don’t forget directories as well. These are organized by category and are a perfect way to get permanent links to your website. Check out DMOZ.com as a starting directory and then head over to Google.com and search for more directories to submit to.
Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help too. Enlist them to help you out by tagging your content on such websites as Digg.com and StumbleUpon.com. The more tags you get the better chance you have of getting more people to see your content and possibly linking to it.
Be sure that if you frequent any website forums that you are including your website link in your signature. Be sure not to spam forums, instead leave informative and quality responses. Readers of these forums will often time follow links in signatures which can lead to more links when they see what you can offer their website visitors.
Hold a contest or a giveaway. People love to win free stuff. By posting about your contest on your blog, your readers may in turn tell their readers about your contest and link to your contest page. On top of those who find it on your blog, you can submit the website link to online news reporters who may in turn write a piece up about your contest and share it with their readers.
Review products through information articles on your website. These reviews should come from firsthand experience and link to either the product maker’s website or to an affiliate link URL.
