19 replies to this topic

[pita]

Hi all,

I've read several forum topics and there is a lot of great information here.

My question, forgive me if I'm covering old ground, is this:

Just how does one get started in Link Building? I've seen posts regarding manual vs. automated programs, and lots of references to both. But how do I go about actually finding sites - that I would want linking to me - who are willing to do so?

And if I decide to start with a program, which one is preferred?

Still hoping that "there are no dumb questions".

[awall19]

There are no dumb questions - only people who do not like peanut butter.

To start building links consider submitting your site to web directories such as

gimpsy goguides joeant dmoz and possibly yahoo

currently google is the most used search engine
download the google toolbar with advanced features
search for the terms you want to list well in and do a backlinks check to see who links to the top few sites

if you can see if these same sites will link to yours, maybe propose a link exchange. the key is to make it obvious that you actually visited their website and your message is from a person and not an automated system

you can also search for directories on your specific topic or near match websites

a website that sells jelly would probably want to link to a site that sells peanut butter

using the google toolbar you can see what pagerank a site has. if the other site has a grey PR then it is probably not a good idea to link to them

the end goal of linking is to only provide links that add to your end user experience, but off the start it may be ok to link to some ok sites until your site becomes more authoritative

[awall19]

as a side note i would also recomend staying away from sites that have automated linking programs or automated linking managers since they typically do not have the same goal with links as what the search engines view links as

search engines view links as a vote for another site. so if it is just an automated exchage process it is doubtful that it serves much purpose

another technique some people use is to post comments in weblogs to get their site indexed quickly. if you choose to do this it is acceptable if you actually participate in the conversation, but it is kinda bogus if you post something like

"great post, good ideas"

my optimized link

[Scottie]

Another good way to find potential link partners is to search for

"Submit site keyword keyword"
"Submit URL keyword keyword"
"Add your site keyword keyword"
"Link to us keyword keyword"
"Links keyword keyword"

By using commonly used terms that people use to invite webmasters to submit or exchange a link, along with your targeted keyphrase, you are more likely to find relevant directories and sites that are interested in linking to you.

[amabaie]

Another good way to find potential link partners is to search for

"Submit site keyword keyword"
"Submit URL keyword keyword"
"Add your site keyword keyword"
"Link to us keyword keyword"
"Links keyword keyword

Also good are:

"Directory keyword keyword"
"Directory my town"
"Directory my state"
"Directory my country"
"Add URL keyword keyword"
"Submit link keyword keyword"

The opportunities are almost endless.

[jaytee]

My question, forgive me if I'm covering old ground, is this:

Just how does one get started in Link Building?

Maybe I'm rehashing the obvious here...

Make sure that you get all the links you are entitled to - chamber of commerce memberships, trade associations, tourism sites [all as appropriate] and the like.

Look for sites that relate to your business - especially specialized directories.

[Scottie]

Welcome to the forum, Julian!

[morch]

Try using dmoz to drill down to your relevant category / subject and view the regional listings (usually only necessary for the US). If you scroll to the bottom of the page you will see the green google ball.

Click on the ball and it takes you to googles web directory where the page rank of every site is revealed. Its a great way of seeing who would be a good linking partner.

When youve exhausted your own region / country - move to another and so on.

Try and keep your linking relevant - your more likely to get a good response if the linking webmaster can see the benefit of linking to you. You also provide excellent surfing options for your own visitors.

When you write requesting a link- dont send an automated looking mail. Try and be individual and throw a comment in about their site. Use a template by all means but try and make the linking webmaster think that youve at least looked at his (or her!) site and really do see a benefit in linking. Throw in why you think a link would be a good idea. If there is even a modest correlation between the sites theme or products then point it out.

Dont let your linking strategy take over your life. Send a a mail to a few dozen sites to start with and then try and do a few a day - every day. New sites not ones youve already contacted.

Its ok looking at dmoz to pick out good sites to link to (Im talking page rank) but dont let this be the only issue. Todays PR2 is a PR4 by Xmas for all we know so dont be a page rank snob.

That said there's plenty of advice on this forum to indicate that you really are judged by the company you keep so always bear this in mind.

Heres a few directories nabbed off another forum - its worth picking your way thru and seeing which may be of use to submit to. (i might get into trouble for mentioning so many sites in one go - slap me if need be)


Josh.nu
Jayde.com
Whatuseek.com
Arielis.com
Yakeo.com
Ranks.com
Galaxy.com
Phatoz.com
JoeAnt.com
Fly2net.com
Blakkat.com
Imarvel.com
Gimpsy.com
SoMuch.com
SeekOn.com
1st-Spot.Net
Patient.co.uk
Directory.net
Re-Quest.net
7in1web.com
Myallfish.com
Townnet.com
GoGuides.org
SurfPoint.com
Peekaboo.net
Lifestyle.co.uk
Microwho.com
Smartlinks.org
123World.com
SuperPages.ca
Linkopedia.com
SunSteam.com
Fitnesspros.net
Rex.Skyline.net
Psychnet-uk.com
Canadopedia.com
Travelbritain.co.uk
Allwebdirectories.com
microwho.com/general/sites.html
travelbritain.co.uk
patient.co.uk/topics.asp
lifestyle.co.uk/index.htm
psychnet-uk.com
directory.net
webdirectory.com
smartlinks.org
rex.skyline.net
imarvel.com/best/web-sites.html
re-quest.net
fly2net.com
townnet.com
phatoz.com
arielis.com
pharos-search.com
achoo.com
wwwomen.com
dcpages.ari.net
onemission.com
webworldindex.com
proudlycanadian.net



Morch

[powerofeyes]

Hello,
One good way you want to find good relevant links with good quality site with decent page rank is to open the google directory type the keyword go to the appropriate catagory start from the site right at the top with the highest pagerank till the bottom of the page without any pagerank.
I do it this way and I get really good quality links for free through this method, Hope it works out for you,
thanks,
VIJAY.

[bwelford]

powerofeyes, That's a really good suggestion.

For clarity, I assume you meant that for each link in the Search Report for the chosen keyword, you would right-click your mouse and click on Backward Links. This opens up all the backlinks for the high ranking sites. You then go to each one and see how you can get a link from there too.

[powerofeyes]

Hello Bwelford,
Even that is a good idea, but there are hundreds of sites for a keyword in the google directory with good PAGERANK. If you can get 50 quality links from these sites you can say you have done a good link building campaign,
So I feel there wont be any need to follow the backlink of sites which has High PAGERANK. One big advantage of google directory instead of dmoz.org is google displays the PAGERANK of the site in the directory, right next to it but dmoz we just have to do a guessing,
thanks,
VIJAY.

[bwelford]

One big advantage of google directory instead of dmoz.org is google displays the PAGERANK of the site in the directory, right next to it but dmoz we just have to do a guessing

I just tried a search in the Google Directory to make sure. I don't see the PageRank displayed anywhere on the page that showed the result of my search. Am I missing something?

[powerofeyes]

Hello Bwelford,
PageRank is the Green Bar that is right next to the site URL and the description. Ok one example I give just for you to confirm.
see next to the webpage It wont you show you from 1 to 10 like the Google Tool bar does but you have to guess the PAGERANK by seeing it,
thanks,
VIJAY.

[Debra]

Morch - no slapping here!

About the list above - want to reinforce that the list was not put together by anyone here and we're not endorsing any of these sites.

A good number of those URL's are "pay for" sites, a few are dead, a number geographically targeted, etc.

Pick and choose wisely!

[Debra]

PageRank is the Green Bar that is right next to the site URL and the description. Ok one example I give just for you to confirm. see next to the webpage

Wanted to point out that the green bars displayed next to the sites in the google directory don't always reflect a sites PR value as displayed by the toolbar.

For example - on the page referenced - http://directory.goo...eens/Computers/

the last two sites in this category show no toolbar next to them. One could assume those sites don't have any PR. Not so. Both of those sites have PR 7 for their homepage when you look at them with the toolbar on.

I've also seen the reverse happen.

Never leave anything to guesswork when it comes to marketing and promoting your site.