Many times your site will get backlinks without you asking for them. This article doesn’t go into those kinds of links. Instead, we focus on the links you can control and specifically request.
Additionally, this article doesn’t go into backlinks from paid advertising like Google ads. Those kinds of links often don’t carry much value in the eyes of search engines.
A solid backlink has three components.
By “solid,” I’m referring to a backlink that not only brings you traffic from someone clicking it but also brings the added value of enhancing your search engine rankings.
The three components are:
1. Choose good places to put links
2. Make it scrumptious for search engines
3. Make it irresistible to prospects
1. Choose a good place
There are a limitless number of web sites you can get linked from. They can range from general web site directories to coaching organization web sites to individual blogs.
Here are the main things to consider:
First, put your link in front of your target audience. Request backlinks from web sites that have the same target audience as you.
Next, choose web sites that are credible.
When credible web sites link to you, search engines will recognize it. They will give your site more “worth” and higher rankings.
For example, a link from a “quick and easy to set up” web page at myspace.com won’t be as valuable as a link from the home page of the “well established” msn.com.
Thirdly, place your link on web sites that get a lot of traffic as opposed to web sites that get very little traffic.
BUT … keep in mind that web sites with low traffic can be valuable if their audience is the same is yours.
Finally, choose web sites that display your link prominently.
Take a look at where your link will be positioned on the page. A link at the top of an easy-to-view web page is better than a link at the bottom of a long-and-busy page.
It’s better because it will get more clicks and search engines give more “kudos” to links towards the top of a page than at the bottom, generally speaking.
2. Make it scrumptious for search engines
How?
First, use simple text links when you can.
Simple text links are the most commonly used links on the Web, and are characterized by underlined text in a different color (usually blue) than surrounding text.
Text links are good because: