Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Back Links

Many people think building back links are about getting as many links as possible to link to your site. Although, this would appear to be a good idea from first appearance, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Buying links and the old technique of reciprocals just don’t work anymore like they use to. Not only will they not get your site listed higher in the search engine, they will often penalize your site. The use of these link farms is well known by Google and in my opinion will hurt your site much more than they could ever help you.

So what is the purpose of back links and why is it so important to develop back links? Back links are very important and if you have one good back link, it is worth over 1000 of the generic ones. Quality back links matter. Period. What are good quality links?

• Blogging – Blogs are probably the best source for back links, but generic blogging systems don’t seem to have the same effect as a privately own blog website with the bloggers own domain name. For more information on how you can get this type of blog setup, call Tom Troughton at 828-775-4861. You can link from your blog as well as building a network of blogs to link to your own web site. In addition, if you can build a network of other bloggers, it can give a huge boost to your back linking system. The more popular a blog, the better the links usually end up to be.
• Make sure your blog has an RSS feed. By having an RSS feed you can show up in Google Blog Search and various other blog platforms. Think of it similar to a syndicated radio station where one program is broadcasts on 100’s of stations.
• Create valuable content links – links that are from other sites to your own site that will be of real use and value to the person who clicks on it. The link should be interesting and fit into the context of the site linking to you. Search engines are very smart and understand relevant content. Don’t try to fool the search engines. Co-operate with them.
• • Use Social Networking – Social networking is here to stay. Link from Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn and whatever the next new kid on the block will be. Also, get your friends to link to you. If you have sharing options on your social networking, that is also a way to get links on various friends social networking pages.
  • Lesser know Social networking – Digg and Stumble Upon – Make it easy for your visitors to add link popularity to these services by providing an easy link for them to recommend you.
  • Remember the purpose of Social Networking is to share information.