The two most important aspects of link building is to be active and knowledgeable.  The results will be quicker and stronger based on the amount of time allocated and knowledge of SEO practices.  Prior to campaigning for links, a plan should accommodate the actions that will be taken.    

• Determine the competition and competitive nature of keywords or keyword phrases.
• Write a sample list of titles, descriptions, and profiles for the campaign.
• Determine primary and secondary keywords for the industry segment.
• Review the website and traffic analytics for strengths and weaknesses.
• Locate web resources and where your link building campaign will start and monitor progress.
• Add bookmarking references to align the website or blog with desired user social sites.
• Update web content, not only for search engines, but to improve the user experience, conversions, and link building effort.

The bulleted list provides a sample blended approach of sources to build links.  Utilizing multiple site sources will not only attract different types of users, but appeal to search engines. 

• Articles
• Press Releases
• Paid Directories
• Bidding Directories
• Free Directories
• Social Sites
• Bookmarking Sites
• Blog Directories
• Micro-Blogging Sites
• RSS Feed Directories
• Sites with Story Links
• Review Sites
• Photo Sharing Sites
• Video Portals

The acceptance of a website or blog will be based on the fit determined by editors from the requesting web resource amongst other areas.  As an example, free and paid directories will supply rules for acceptance along with quality contributors of the web resource.  Once the link is reviewed and accepted it will go live and indexed by search engines.  Higher quality referral sites are indexed in sequence based on importance by search engines in your URL results.   

 5 Link Submission Tips

• Vary content for titles, descriptions, and other text related areas where you are seeking to receive a link.
• Utilize paid submissions as these investments are noticed by search engines.
• Create a blog to attract a fan base and build loyalty and trust.
• Submit company news through press channels once a week or twice monthly.
• Create online resources to increase visitor length of stay, referrals, and backlinks.

Allowing ratings, reviews, and comments when permitted is highly recognizable by search engines.  It also encourages the author to write quality information on the subject matter reflecting on the website or blog and products or services being marketed.

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• Social marketing sites are on the rise and many are out there.  Study and understand how they work.  Niche social sites can assist with your referral business as well.
• Quality rich content that is unique is where it all begins whether on a website or weblog.
• Build links in appropriate categories and directories.  Don’t include the website if there is no correspondence to your resource.
• Page Rank (PR) will come with time and can go up and down.  It is not earned overnight and only resembles one facet of value for your website.
• New content applies to your rankings and relevance in search engine indexes.  Support information that is article based or newsworthy in press channels like Prlog.  Update content to your site.
• Businesses that provide services in certain cities or town should indicate that town in their keyword phrases for local optimization.
• Save time and SEO your site from the beginning of website or blog inception.  The work pays off and assists search crawlers in describing what the web page is all about.
• Avoid full flash sites and use only in small quantity which disrupts search crawlers.
• Avoid keyword stuffing on website pages and in your link building.  Try alternate keywords like franchise opportunity versus franchise for sale. 
• Utilize inside pages for link popularity.  A registration page to capture visitors or product shopping pages close to your checkout are just as important as the site’s home page.
• The look, feel, and usability of your site is your product.  Traffic directed to it should encompass user experience to increase loyalty and conversions.
• Allowing comments, ratings, reviews, and similar are a component of quality and good SEO work. 
• Links from places like your local Chamber of Commerce, .Gov, and .Edu are valuable to your business.  Determine where and how you can get involved.
• Support your RSS Feeds in RSS submission directories and get more from content you write.
• People and search engines look well upon providing “how to” or “stuff that works” articles.
• Research your competition and know what is in front of you.  Much can be learned in what has made competitors successful.
• Stay in the now – measure what keywords are being used today and apply to your website and online marketing strategies.
• Make link building part of your routine or get help.
• Strive for quantity through quality in backlinks.  Sites like Alexa are a good resource for this.
• Investing in search engine marketing, indexed higher and noticed by search engines, is investing your website and business (i.e., quality paid directories).

There are many resources provided online to determine the status of your current online presence in several areas.  A sample of those that we choose to work with are provided at our SEO Resources web page.

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