Links were one of the very first tools in the SEO tool kit. Think of them as the hammer. Things have definitely evolved. You don’t always need a hammer anymore, and it may not be the most important tool you own, BUT it is still very useful and every toolbox should have one.
That said, never pay a link farm to get you links. This is a scam – there are no two ways about it. They have bad links that won’t do anything for you in the long run, and they can get your website kicked off of Google. Yes, that does happen.
So let’s talk about good links, the kind you want and should be working to get every single day. A link from another website – especially a reputable one – is like a recommendation with your resume. The more people/websites that approve of you, the better. Not only do you reap the reward of their credibility and respect by being affiliated with them, but you’ll also be viewed as more popular. Garner more and more links and your website will rise on Google. This can’t be bought, it must be earned.
Let’s look at Wikipedia. You want to look up “link building,” so you enter it in Google as a query. No doubt that the Wikipedia response comes up right near the very top of your browser. For some terms it’ll come up as the very first result. This is because it is a credible source that people use. Imagine how many people have referenced Wikipedia or this specific page in something they’ve published online.
Let’s give them a little more authority. Let’s include their link to link building in our use of that phrase. This is called anchor text, it means that the link connected to those special, “clickable” words is directly related. This is even better for Wikipedia, as it says we not only like and trust their site, we are using them as the authority when we use these keywords. Wow! Imagine how that could help your company if your friendly websites and affiliates were willing to link to your website in this manner.
So, how do you get links? Well, you work at it. There’s no easy solution. As mentioned in the beginning, never use a link farm or buy links. Connect with similar companies, for example a home builder and a realtor make the perfect website companions. Link to each other and write guest posts for each other’s blogs. Join professional organizations that carry a lot of clout and see if they’ll add your web link – even if it’s just in a directory. Go out of your way to find legitimate ways to encourage others to use your link.
Good luck building links, and don’t expect it to happen overnight! Like all worthwhile ventures it takes time, but there are great rewards in the end.
