Linking

The following is a more detailed list of where you might get inbound links back to your website. It is by no means exhaustive and often your knowledge of the business and market is crucial in identifying good quality websites that might link back to you. But it is a start and may spark some inspiration:

  1. Clients, friends and associates - First of all it would be useful to have some sections of your website where you can link to other people so you can offer reciprocal links to clients and customers – e.g. a dedicated ‘Links’ page, ‘Testimonials’, Clients listing pages or simply included as part of the copy for your website.
  2. Local websites - research and review local newspaper websites, business directories or other regional websites to assess opportunities for getting your website listed in editorial or classified listings. For example a simple press release to the local press announcing a new service or new website could get you a mention both in the editorial sections of the newspaper and associated website.
  3. Trade associations - If you or your company are members of any trade associations or business clubs then make sure your company is mentioned in any of their directories and that the entry is accurate with a link to your website.
  4. National directories - Make sure you are featured in all the main national directories such as Yell, Thomson Local and BT directory enquiries. Some of these have started charging for a so-called ‘enhanced’ listing which includes a website link.
  5. Global Business Directory - Ensure your website is submitted to the dmoz directory which provides the data for Google’s Business Directory and the Yahoo Business Directory – we can do this for you as part of our search engine submission service.
  6. Blogs and discussion boards - Where its appropriate look around for websites that have user generated content such as discussion boards and blogs (online diaries or “web logs”) where you can mention your company and website as part of an answer or comment on a particular item.
  7. Facebook, MySpace and the rest – This isn’t for everyone but social networking websites are becoming increasingly important for individuals to provide more information about themselves and businesses to generate interest through setting up specialist groups and company networks.

This is a big subject. Please contact us for more information or an informal discussion on specific issues.....see the page 3 for an case study of how inbound can influence rankings.

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