Search Engine Optimisation: 17 ways to build great back links for your website

Back-links are the currency of the web. In the same way that dollars are the measure of financial wealth, back-links are the measure of web wealth. Not only do back-links increase the number of direct visitors to your website, they also help propel you up Google’s ranks.

Unlike traditional marketing where information is published one day and gone the next, information tends to stay on the web forever. A popular article will continue to attract back-links long after it is published!

There are many types of back-links and plenty of ways to attract them. Here are a few:

1. ARTICLES

Remarkable content is the key to web marketing, so you can start practising by writing and submitting articles. Sites like Enzine-Articleslet you submit articles for free (so remember to include a back-link to your website in your author bio). However, the real power with submitting articles to sites like these, is that other website owners can re-publish your article on their website which earns you a back-link every time! That’s why the quality of your article is so critical.

2. GALLERIES

There are plenty of galleries online where you can submit your work regardless of your industry.

3. BLOGGERS

The best way to attract excellent back-links is to earn the attention of bloggers. Write something thought provoking and see if bloggers comment and link to your website. Or, why not send it to influential bloggers who you think might find it valuable? Write a review of an industry relevant book and send it to the author. The key here is to get creative – find different ways to get your work noticed.

4. DIRECTORIES

There’s an abundance of business directories on the web. Most are free and they nearly always allow you a back-link.

5. TESTIMONIALS

People love putting testimonials on their website, so why not write one for somebody who has delivered great service and include a back-link to your website on it.

6. SPEAKER BIOS

If you’re in the business of speaking to audiences, you’ll usually need to provide a speaker bio, so just include a back-link to your website when you do.

7. GUEST BLOG POSTS

Fellow bloggers are always keen for great content, so if there’s a blog you follow where you can provide a new insight, ask if you can write a guest post. Check out My Blog Guestas a way of finding potential blogs to contribute to. And you guessed it, include a back-link!

8. EXPERT ARTICLES FOR INDUSTRY SITES

You can also ask to write expert articles for industry websites.

9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

If you’re a member of industry associations, there’s often the opportunity to get a member listing on their website.

10. BLOG DIRECTORIES

If you have a blog, it’s well worth listing them on blog directories likeTechnoratiand BlogCatalog.

11. NEWS WEBSITES

If you’re a go-to source for journalists, try to cite your website to increase the likelihood of it appearing in the article.

12. NEWS RELEASES

If you’ve got news to announce, publish a news release or press release on websites like PRwire or PR News Wire. You can always include a back-link. Some new release websites are free, others charge a fee.

13. AFFILIATES

Affiliate marketing is when someone else markets your product on your behalf and you split the profit when a sale is made. This is a great way to get back-links because people are promoting your website. If you’re selling a product, check out E-Junkie, ClickBank or Commission Junction.

14. AWARDS

When you or your organisation wins an award, it’s a perfect opportunity to get another back-link.

15. E-BOOKS

If you have a special area of knowledge, writing an e-book is perfect link bait! An e-book can be any length you like. It’s also advisable to release it under aCreative Commons licencewhich allows people to share it with their friends for free!

16. WEBINARS

A webinar is an online seminar. If you host one on an interesting topic, then it is likely that people will link to it.

17. PODCASTS

A podcast is a recording that people can download onto their iPods. Again they are excellent link bait.

Author Bio: Toby Jenkinsis a web strategy speakerand consultant. He is the co-founder (with Adam Franklin) of Bluewire Media, web strategyfirm, internationally recognised for its free Web Strategy Planning Template and Web Strategy Secrets E-book. You can follow @Toby_Jenkinson Twitter.

We have received several queries from our clients regarding a scam which is doing the rounds again. This one is relating to internet keywords, and the company that is sending you the email is trying to protect your internet branding/trademark by contacting you first to see if you want the china/asia based domains. The email goes something like this:

As your website provider our aim is to keep your site performing as well as it should… this means that the sites should remain up to date with their content, and rank well so that your business can be found on the internet.
With this in mind, there are several things that you can do. Start with listing your business in some online directories. Be aware that when you create a listing with some of them (especially the free ones) you will get a phone call from them trying to up-sell you to a paid listing, offering you their google ranking service etc etc. At this stage you don’t need any of that, you are just wanting the free listing!