Link Strategy for Search Engine Optimization

Links are a huge part of optimization.  After content, maybe the most important.  This page should help explain how to use linking to improve ranking results in search engines.

Link Opportunities

Directories

An easy and quick way to get started.  Hundreds of free one via search or software such as GoDaddy's search relevancy software.

Look for directories offering your category for inclusion.

Forums and Groups

Look fo forums and user groups and participate in the discussions.  add a link to your site as part of your signature.

Article and Press

Write article and submit them them to free article sites such as prweb.com and newswiretoday.com.  Place a few links to your pages and at least one link to an authoritative site on the subject.  Examples of press release sites.

Blogs

Write blogs and submit them to blog sources on a regular basis.  At least 1per month.

Link Exchanges

The best tried and true way to build search engine relevance and PR value.  Find relevant sites and ask for a reciprocal exchange or one way/three way link arrangement. 

Links Networks

Be careful of link networks that offer an abundance of immediate links back.  Many of the links are worthless and too many links too fast may hurt diminish your value with search engines.

Anchor Text

Anchor text is extremely important and refers to the terms used within your hyperlink.  Do not use your web address as the anchor text.  Use the keywords your site is optimized for which should be the same keywords used in searches.  Get specific and avoid the most heavily competitive words.

Link Relevancy

Only link to and receive links from relevant sites.  There is little to no value in links from non related sites.

Reciprocal Links vs One Way Links

Reciprocal links are not bad but they will never carry the weight of a one way link.  Create 3 way link strategies and look for opportunities for single one-way links via directories and sites.  Much easier said than done.

Continue to add content and relevant Links

Always add new and fresh content to your site and always look to increase the number of links pointing to your index page as well as other pages within your site.  Continue his strategy and your value and traffic will increase.