Link building is a common internet marketing tool – you get other websites to link back to your website. Not only does it increase quality traffic to your site, but it can also dramatically bump up your SEO rankings.

This “off page” technique has become more popular and very important in the SEO realm. Search engines won’t recognize fluffy, useless links and this outdated trick will get you quickly booted out of the search engines.

Before you tackle these awesome link building strategies, remember that visitors aren’t going to link back to your site if they don’t receive a benefit. What can you offer them? How can you get them to take action? If you keep those questions in mind, you’ll be a huge success with link building and drawing more traffic to your sites.

Directory listings – The best way to begin link building is to submit your websites and blogs to directory listings. Don’t just submit to any directory. Submit to niche-specific listings since this allows you to target your markets more accurately. Free listings: ODP and Search Engine Guide

Social Networking sites – Use catchy headlines and add keywords in your headlines and profiles when you post content. Check out the following social networking sites: Reddit, Delicious, Fark, and StumbleUpon

Discussion forums: Another great way to market your site or blog is to interact in online discussion forums. Post to forums that target your niche. Make sure to include your URL in your signature line.

Article Directories: If you’re an expert in your field, you need to submit content to article directories. When you share useful content with visitors, they will highly benefit from this FREE, helpful information. This will generate a stronger marketing branding and always include your URL in signatures and company bios.

Online Press Release Services: Another easy way to link to your site is through press releases. Include your URL throughout the press release and also in your company bio.

Blogs: Create your own blog and post helpful content. Link back to other blogs in your niche – you’d be surprised at the traffic you’ll generate. Submit to blog directories: Best of the Web Blog Directory

Multiple sites: If your company has multiple blogs or websites, make sure to link to the main site.

Guest Comments: Use your expertise to your advantage by posting guest comments to other blogs in your niche. Remember to include your URLs.

Quality Outgoing Links: Be known as a resource in your field and people will take notice of your outgoing links on your site (i.e. industry news, professional groups, etc) This helps generate high PR because you will draw quality traffic to your site.

Contests: Generate incentive by offering a links contest – whoever links back to your website or blog wins a prize.

Affiliate programs: Affiliate marketing programs can effectively promote your links.

Lists:  Look like an authority in your niche. Another trick is to create a resource list of experts and gurus in your industry. As a thank you, these experts will probably appreciate being named and will link back to your site.

Q&A Sites: Utilize Yahoo!Answers and other Q&A sites. These sites allow you to add URLs. Be an expert and answer questions in your field of expertise.

Local Resources: Tap into local resources. Submit your link to your local Chamber of Commerce, professional trade organizations, and the local library. Leverage links with clients and vendors (non-competitors in your niche).

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