Does Your Website Merit a Link Exchange?
The Reality Exposed-Most Websites Are Not Link Exchange Worthy.
Established websites will not want to exchange links with you, unless there is a substantial benefit to them.
A link exchange request, 8 out of 10 times will usually end with a "No!", and for good reason.
Your website may not be ready.
It needs more substance.
In order for a link exchange to be approved, there is a minimum criteria that your website must meet beforehand.
1.
) Does your website have unique relevant content? Many webmasters throw free content from article directories onto their website, while others have not added any new information in years.
There are still some, that have either scrapped or plagiarized from other sources.
The first rule that you should always abide by in the world of internet marketing, is to create original content.
Plain and simple.
This makes the link exchange process easier, as the webmaster will often review your writing samples to gauge the level of expertise and relevance, in comparison to his.
If the content is well-written and useful to his/her readers, then there is a good chance he/she will link to you.
2.
) Link popularity is a measure of trust and authority How many websites are currently linking to you? Before approaching any webmaster for a link exchange, check and see if you have at least 10-20 quality links pointing to your website.
You can do this by downloading a software called Backlink Analyzer, which lets you review this data for free.
If you are not in the mood to download, then try Backlink Watch.
It is another free link analysis tool that is available online.
Webmasters like linking to authoritative websites with frequently updated quality content.
The reason being that these kind of websites usually have a lot of high quality links pointing to them, and typically rank well for certain keywords.
So, a link exchange, could boost search engine rankings for both parties, and improve page rank.
The flip side is also true.
Linking to a website with no backlinks and poor content, can lead to lower search engine rankings.
This is why a webmaster will not approve a link exchange request, until you have at least 10-20 inbound links and a few good posts or articles.
One of my blogs, for example, was started just two months ago.
Several of my requests were rejected based on the age and number of inbound links factor.
So, i am speaking from experience here.
Get your first few links, by submitting to free article directories.
Use EzineArticles, Articledashboard and Goarticles, as they have a high page rank and good Alexa ranking.
Often times, this strategy has more benefit than a link exchange, as it provides an opportunity for others, reading your article, to republish it on their websites, giving you free backlinks.
After you have obtained some inbound links from article directories, then look for blogs that allow guest posting.
This allows for diversity in your link profile, making your website appear more credible.
3.
) Is Your Website Saturated With Advertisements And Affiliate Links? Most people hate a website that has excessive banner ads and affiliate links.
It provides for a bad user experience and is often viewed as "spam-like".
Provide useful information to the reader.
Let them learn a thing or two from your articles.
Don't just try to sell them hype.
Webmasters will observe your homepage in detail.
If they find two or three short articles, surrounded by hundreds of affiliate links, banner ads, and subscription forms, there is no chance of receiving a link from them.
Neither would they want a link from you.
Keep your website simple and content rich.
It does not need heavy graphics.
Also, make sure you have an "about us" section and full contact info.
Conclusion If your website looks professional, has a lot of unique relevant content, and at least 10-20 quality backlinks, it is link exchange worthy.
Sure, there may be other factors involved as well, and no guarantee of success.
But these are the minimum criteria, that most webmasters will look for in your website, before agreeing to a link exchange.
Established websites will not want to exchange links with you, unless there is a substantial benefit to them.
A link exchange request, 8 out of 10 times will usually end with a "No!", and for good reason.
Your website may not be ready.
It needs more substance.
In order for a link exchange to be approved, there is a minimum criteria that your website must meet beforehand.
1.
) Does your website have unique relevant content? Many webmasters throw free content from article directories onto their website, while others have not added any new information in years.
There are still some, that have either scrapped or plagiarized from other sources.
The first rule that you should always abide by in the world of internet marketing, is to create original content.
Plain and simple.
This makes the link exchange process easier, as the webmaster will often review your writing samples to gauge the level of expertise and relevance, in comparison to his.
If the content is well-written and useful to his/her readers, then there is a good chance he/she will link to you.
2.
) Link popularity is a measure of trust and authority How many websites are currently linking to you? Before approaching any webmaster for a link exchange, check and see if you have at least 10-20 quality links pointing to your website.
You can do this by downloading a software called Backlink Analyzer, which lets you review this data for free.
If you are not in the mood to download, then try Backlink Watch.
It is another free link analysis tool that is available online.
Webmasters like linking to authoritative websites with frequently updated quality content.
The reason being that these kind of websites usually have a lot of high quality links pointing to them, and typically rank well for certain keywords.
So, a link exchange, could boost search engine rankings for both parties, and improve page rank.
The flip side is also true.
Linking to a website with no backlinks and poor content, can lead to lower search engine rankings.
This is why a webmaster will not approve a link exchange request, until you have at least 10-20 inbound links and a few good posts or articles.
One of my blogs, for example, was started just two months ago.
Several of my requests were rejected based on the age and number of inbound links factor.
So, i am speaking from experience here.
Get your first few links, by submitting to free article directories.
Use EzineArticles, Articledashboard and Goarticles, as they have a high page rank and good Alexa ranking.
Often times, this strategy has more benefit than a link exchange, as it provides an opportunity for others, reading your article, to republish it on their websites, giving you free backlinks.
After you have obtained some inbound links from article directories, then look for blogs that allow guest posting.
This allows for diversity in your link profile, making your website appear more credible.
3.
) Is Your Website Saturated With Advertisements And Affiliate Links? Most people hate a website that has excessive banner ads and affiliate links.
It provides for a bad user experience and is often viewed as "spam-like".
Provide useful information to the reader.
Let them learn a thing or two from your articles.
Don't just try to sell them hype.
Webmasters will observe your homepage in detail.
If they find two or three short articles, surrounded by hundreds of affiliate links, banner ads, and subscription forms, there is no chance of receiving a link from them.
Neither would they want a link from you.
Keep your website simple and content rich.
It does not need heavy graphics.
Also, make sure you have an "about us" section and full contact info.
Conclusion If your website looks professional, has a lot of unique relevant content, and at least 10-20 quality backlinks, it is link exchange worthy.
Sure, there may be other factors involved as well, and no guarantee of success.
But these are the minimum criteria, that most webmasters will look for in your website, before agreeing to a link exchange.