Links 101

 

So, now you have a site and Google has indexed it - what next ?

 

One of the most important aspects of ranking in phase 2 is a good links strategy. A good, solid links strategy consists of a couple of smaller linking strategies all rolled into one.

 

Let me first explain some terms :-

inbound links : - links from another website to your own

outbound links :- links from your site to another

reciprocal links :- links between two sites - a link from yours to another and vice versa.

 

Why links ?

Google keeps on visiting sites every so many days. Everytime it finds a fresh link to another site after its previous visit, it will follow that link and count it. A link from a quality site to your own actually translates into a "referral" from that site to yours. Or even an endorsement by that site of yours. And this is exactly how Google sees it. So, the more endorsements you can get, the better.

 

1. Links exchange

Obviously, once we have designed or redesigned your website, your site will now also have a links page - such as ours .

 

How does this links page work then? Keep in mind that this page is for exchanging links - meaning a two way street. On the one hand it is there for visitors to your site wanting to exchange links with you, BUT - it is also your job to surf the internet looking for possible links exchange partners.

What makes a good links exchange partner?

1.1. Someone who has a site in the same genre as yours - meaning if you have a guest house, do not exchange links with someone in the steel industry - these industries are non-related and a link would not mean much, in actual fact, such a link could harm your rankings.

 

1.2. Someone whose site has a good Google PageRank - for more info on PageRank - click here.

 

So, when you get a request for links exchange - look at the above two factors. If you feel that you can do a links exchange with them, send the request to us and we will then implement it.

 

2. Links in paid directories

There are many directories on the Internet - in fact - even more than that. Some of them are good solid directories, while some are here today and gone tomorrow.

 

A directory is basically and online "Yellow Pages" - a listing of businesses in categorical order. It is important to understand that there are directories that charge you for inclusion or listing of your site - such as the Google and Yahoo directories, and there are directories where you can list your site for free.

 

Those that charge for inclusion we simply call paid directories.

 

To have your site in the Yahoo directory is apparently a very good move - although there are strong arguments for and against it. We ourselves have ranked our own site very well without paying for any inclusions in any directory.

 

Yahoo charges US$299 per year and then they don't guarantee your listing.

 

If you are willing to take that risk, then you can do so.

 

3. Links in free directories

The other type of directory we are very fond of are free directories.

 

The biggest free directory is www.dmoz.org - and we suggest you submit your site to dmoz if it hasn't been submitted yet.

 

Some free directories request a link back to themselves from your site - making it a links exchange as in no1 above. We suggest going with the directories that charges nothing at all.

 

To get you started we have included a list of the more important free directories here :- http://www.o5webdesign.com/admin/ - simply login using the username and password we sent you, click on IMPORTANT LINKS and start submitting your site.

 

But it does not stop there

 

Keep in mind that directories are here today and gone tomorrow - and no one can predict who will be gone tomorrow - same as with any other website.

 

It is therefore imperative that you submit your site to as many free directories as possible on a continuous basis to ensure a steady flow of inbound links to your site.

 

We always say to clients - it doesn't matter if you do it or we do it - as long as it gets done. We do have a links exchange program whereby we charge R420 (excl VAT) every 3months, and then submit your website to 100 directories in that period of time.

 

If you are interested in the links exchange program or simply want more info - send us a mail.