What Are Backlinks and Why Do I Want Them?
A few years ago Backlinks, also called InLinks or Reputation Links, were among the most important ways to achieve high website rankings. Search Engines have recently reduced their importance, but still they should not be overlooked. Backlinks are links from another web
site that point to your web site.
Backlinks
help your website rank better with search engines.
Links from your website pointing to someone
else’s website help their website rank better.
Backlinks from high usage sites pertinent to your area of business will
help your website rank much better.
How Many Backlinks Do You Need?
In general, the more backlinks you have, the better.
Our rule of thumb is, you need more backlinks than
your competitors.
You can see how many
backlinks you have and how many your competitors have at:
http://alexa.com
How To Get More Backlinks
The best way to get backlinks is to ask business people you
know, in person or on the phone, to add your link to their website. The second best way is via email.
Key points to remember in your conversation:
> Backlinks help websites rank higher.
> You will add a link to your website, if they will do the
same. This way both websites will rank
better.
> This is a win-win for both parties
> Follow up the conversation with an email containing the
exact link you want.
Are Some Links Better Than Others
Initially your backlinks may simply be your company name
linked to your home page. For
example:
In some cases you may want to change the verbiage and
destination. For example; if you
wanted to highlight the fact that you have an office in a specific town you
might include the town in your verbiage and link to a page on your website that specifically
talks about your office location.
If, for example, you were able to get a supplier to add a backlink you
might request a link like this
This sends people who follow the
link directly to the information they are interested in.
Who Are The Good Candidates To Get A Backlink From?
- Business Associates: Fellow chamber members,
networking partners, fellow rotary members, etc.
- Business Partners: Suppliers, vendors, etc
- Peers Who Are Not Competitors: For example
people in the same line of business in other parts of the country
- Businesses to whom you refer customers
- Customers & Friends: Of course you ask them
for testimonials (video testimonials are best), but if someone has a business be sure to ask them to link to your website also.
Other Issues
Paying for backlinks is a definite “no-no”. There are companies, generally in India or
China, who sell backlinks in bulk. In
the SEO trade this is called a “black hat” technique. Buying backlinks usually
results in your website being banned from Google and other search engines which
will negatively affect your business.
