What to look for in a link exchange

[networkmom]

[NetDebut]

Hi Denise,

First off, link exchanges are very much like a joint venture except you won't have to focus on their benefit because all you're doing is providing a reciprical link to each other. You can obtain link exchanges in a number of ways. You can offer a link exchange on your web site, you can find others that offer link exchanges and you can ask people for link exchanges. Sometimes, all it takes is for someone to simply ask.

Using link exchanges does two things. First, it makes getting links easier. Most webmasters are willing to help each other, so if you give them a link, most times they will return the favor. Second, by adding links to other quality web sites, it augments the quality of your own web site.

Finally, you are providing a resource (links to other web sites) for your visitors and clients. Will you lose potential customers? If your web site has valuable content, you shouldn't have to worry, in which, I think you do.

You can also run a good reciprocal links section on your web site. But one of the first things you need to decide is which web sites to exchange links with. Not every web site out there that does link exchanges is right for you. You want to exchange links with a web site that will bring targeted traffic (visitors/customers that are interested in what you have to offer).

Look for web sites that are similar to yours and that would compliment each other, not conflict and compete with each other. You also don't want to link to any old web site. You need to research the web site and consider such things as its Alexa ranking, search engine rankings, the web sites it links to and, most importantly, its theme.

Having links pointing to you from web sites within your theme or topic, will cause your web site to be seen as being more valuable than a web site with just a bunch of random links.

You can use services link linkmetro.com or use the link exchange software one of the members from my forum offered for free.

[Lynn Terry]

Great post, Kevin!

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