Have you ever tried building a link Directory?
So you’ve just built your brand new web site and now you need to get it notice, no point having a web site if nobod.comes and looks at what you have done. So you decide that the best way
to get listed in the search engines is to have other web sites link to you but how to do you go about.
Well unless you know how to write HTML and are able to write your own web pages the best way to create link pages is to get your hands on some sort of link software. I personally use Arelis from Axandra but there others out there. This software allows me to create link pages, search for link partners, send emails to prospective partners, and keep track of each web site you have linked. But really and truly this is just the start of the process don’t be fooled in believing that it is easy because despite the promises you might get when getting your software it will still take time and hard work on your part to build a successful link directory.
So before you begin take some time to decide how you want your link directory to look and want sort of partners you want to approach. Make sure you have a good description written for your site and your site itself has something to offer others. A site built purely for advertising really doesn’t offer anything to anybody. Concentrate your link partners on your sites subject matter, I.E. if your site is abou.computers don’t look for partners with sites about
travel and sport, a small collection of links directly related to your site is better then hundreds of links with absolutely nothing to with your site.
Now you are ready to begin, I would recommend placing a few links on your pages first that link to articles and resources covering your subject matter that way when inviting people to link to you they see a page which already has links on it and not just a page with their link on it indicating a freshly created page, showing others you have already begun work on a really useful directory which would make sense for them to be part of it. At this point it might be useful to use a link exchange directory, there are several around like Linkmarket.com and Link Metro.Com. Using these sites you should be able to pick up a few early links to get you moving and also see how others are going about doing the same thing but be careful as well, I have fallen foul of some dirty tricks as well. I have placed links to sites where the webmaster had agreed to link but then they fail to place your link or put it on page which will never then be found by anybody let alone the search engines.
In the early stages of your linking programme don’t worry too much about PR but you do need to try and get links on pages which are visible in the search engines this will then allow your pages to start to get picked up as well. Don’t be put off by other webmasters blatantly ignoring your requests for links, it happens to me all the time you jut have to keep plugging away. I think some people forget they had to start from scratch as well and because it happened to them they feel it is alright to do it to others. When trying to get links make sure you look around the site you are requesting a link from, you need to make sure there is a link from their home page to their link pages after all if you can’t find the links how will their visitors to their site find them. Make sure their link pages is well organised you don’t your link on page where the majority already on there has nothing to do with your sites subject. It.common sense really you don’t look for software in amongst weight loss sites.
You’ve now finally got some sites to link to you and your site is starting to take off, it is now where it becomes more important to keep plugging away. Start to send emails to prospective partners, include your URL, link anchor text and description and most importantly include the URL of the page where you have already added their link. Try to offer them something and point out the benefits of a link from you. Also search out other methods of getting links to your site, fill out exchange forms that some sites offer and try to get your self listed in internet directories. You can find a great list of free directories to submit to at directorycritic.com. Don’t become disillusioned too early as I said early this won’t happen overnight it will take time and hard work on your part and will need you to keep plugging away at it.
I hope you find what I have had to say useful but please bear in mind these are only my opinions, based on my experiences. My site has been on line since September 2005 and as I write I am still trying to build my link directory. I have had some success and my pages now have page rank but it has taken quite a bit of hard work on my part. If you wish to view my directory you can do so here
doubleclickandgo.com/links/links.htmShaun Sawyer
doubleclickandgo.comThis article is free for republishing
