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Attracting Incoming Links
Attracting incoming links and internet traffic are the lifeblood of a
blog or website in terms of SEO. In fact, in a site that has been well
optimized for SEO, they go hand in hand. Incoming links are important
for page ranking. If you are a blogger, you may be keeping an eye on
Technorati too, for both your authority rating and blog reactions. These
ratings are also based on incoming links.
One of the best ways for attracting incoming links is for your website
to contain good content. This is the basis of search engine
optimization. SEO is important of course, but content also needs to be
written with the consumer and your website's purpose in mind. A
specialized, European travel planning website for example that is not
updated, or that has incorrect or inadequate information, is unlikely to
attract any links. Worse still, it is unlikely to have many readers. On
the other hand, a website which provides useful, current content may
find other travel sites wanting to establish links with them. Webmasters
often take the view that they are offering value to their readers by
providing additional information, even if they are introducing their
customers to other websites. In an age where we are short on time, your
website can act as a filter in providing only the most useful
information, so linking out to another site, may actually result in
attracting incoming links from them and from other related websites.
This could even develop into networking and collaboration with other
websites that offer similar content. This in turn, may result in
increased linking between the two sites and more business for each.
Blogs by their very essence, lend themselves to collaboration, given
that many bloggers rely on networking to increase their global and
marketing reach. Blog software such as WordPress and Blogger let you
know if someone links to you, so there is already a connection to
leverage off of. Blogs are renowned for being SEO friendly and
webmasters should consider creating a blog to compliment and help
attract links and traffic to their business website.
Using the travel site example again, it is not just other business
owners who will link to you, potential customers may also link to you,
such as, tour organizers, seniors, backpackers or whichever special
interest group has heard of you. So as in the bricks and mortar world,
word of mouth is still often the most powerful and cost effective way of
spreading the word, and attracting natural incoming links.
Search engines like natural links, otherwise known as organic links. You
need to be creative in working out ways to build on this to attract more
incoming links, from both the same sources and new sources, especially
authority sites and related websites in your niche. Remember to start
with good search optimized content for search engine rankings and
traffic, so people can find your site.
You can identify opportunities, ask for links, or wait for someone to
link to you or approach you. You can buy links, although for ethical
search engine optimization and smart business operating, you should
check current guidelines for big players such as Google before spending
money to procure links for your website. Spread the word through press
releases with your web details. Create an online event that will capture
the imagination. Contests are often a drawcard.
Join forums and leave your link in your signature. Comment at blogs.
Make sure your comments in forums and blogs add to the discussion, so
that people have a reason to want to find out more about your company
and what your site offers. All of these strategies can result in
increased traffic. Coupled with good search engine optimization
practices, you will attract more incoming links. Even offline marketing
can result in attracting links to your website. Write a column for your
local paper, arrange to be a guest speaker, run a community college
course or join local business networks. Working all of these strategies
in tandem with one another has proven for many webmasters to be the most
effective method for attracting incoming links, traffic, raising SEO
rank, and generating increased business for profit.
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