Talk to 10 professional SEO people and you'll get 5 yes and 5 no answers when the question "Is Reciprocal linking dead?" is posed. Truth is no one knows for sure or they would be retired and living the high life after selling their secrets to the world. Me? I've always believed that a proper reciprocal link strategy is beneficial for both the visitor and for SEO purposes. So how can I be sure reciprocal linking is not dead? Well a view of backlinks recognized by Google (supposedly the toughest engine to get reciprocal links recognized) shows me that as late as this post a number of recognized backlinks to our site are reciprocal links.
Are reciprocal links the only way to go in gaining backlinks? Absolutely not! Submission to relevant directories, press releases and article submissions are valid and necessary elements when trying to promote a site on the internet. That being said reciprocal linking is a cost effective way of bringing relevant traffic to your site and a tried and true method of getting backlinks.
So what is the best way to approach reciprocal linking?
First you must identify a theme that your site fits and thus sites you seek a link from must fit. An example might be a pet store, a good link directory for a pet store to create would include veterinarians, breeders, pet care advice, pet groups, pet services like grooming or dog walking ... see where I'm going with this. You wouldn't link to your competitors but build a link directory that contains related links that are of value to a visitor.
Second you must find sites that now fit your link directory. The one thing you want is to receive a link back so asking a site that doesn't offer reciprocal links is waste of your time and the site owners. Look for a links or resource section and then follow instructions on how to request a link. Usually you must place a link on your site before you request a link and in my opinion this is the proper way as it shows you have visited the site and have already done your end of the work. A great way to find potential link partners is to do a search. Using our pet store as an example you would type "pet add url" into a search box and go thru the results. Once you find a site that has a link section that is relevant use that to find other links.
Third, make the actual request. As most webmasters are used to link requests a canned response that is 4 paragraphs long explaining the virtues of reciprocal linking is a waste of time. I have found that a simple request mentioning the requirements on their website, the link where their link can be found and your linking information is usually very effective. That being said, a personal response is always best. If you can find the link managers name, use it.
Last, follow up. Once you request a link follow up in a couple of weeks if you have not heard back. As a website owner you know you get busy and push off the less important items. A follow up with a nice reminder that their link is already in place, where it is and a timetable for when you will have to remove it if they don't respond is worth the time.
I've ventured off my original topic but now you know the basics of reciprocal link building.
Good Luck and All The Best!
Mark Stone
Partner
The Info Group
Web Design & SEO Company
Are reciprocal links the only way to go in gaining backlinks? Absolutely not! Submission to relevant directories, press releases and article submissions are valid and necessary elements when trying to promote a site on the internet. That being said reciprocal linking is a cost effective way of bringing relevant traffic to your site and a tried and true method of getting backlinks.
So what is the best way to approach reciprocal linking?
First you must identify a theme that your site fits and thus sites you seek a link from must fit. An example might be a pet store, a good link directory for a pet store to create would include veterinarians, breeders, pet care advice, pet groups, pet services like grooming or dog walking ... see where I'm going with this. You wouldn't link to your competitors but build a link directory that contains related links that are of value to a visitor.
Second you must find sites that now fit your link directory. The one thing you want is to receive a link back so asking a site that doesn't offer reciprocal links is waste of your time and the site owners. Look for a links or resource section and then follow instructions on how to request a link. Usually you must place a link on your site before you request a link and in my opinion this is the proper way as it shows you have visited the site and have already done your end of the work. A great way to find potential link partners is to do a search. Using our pet store as an example you would type "pet add url" into a search box and go thru the results. Once you find a site that has a link section that is relevant use that to find other links.
Third, make the actual request. As most webmasters are used to link requests a canned response that is 4 paragraphs long explaining the virtues of reciprocal linking is a waste of time. I have found that a simple request mentioning the requirements on their website, the link where their link can be found and your linking information is usually very effective. That being said, a personal response is always best. If you can find the link managers name, use it.
Last, follow up. Once you request a link follow up in a couple of weeks if you have not heard back. As a website owner you know you get busy and push off the less important items. A follow up with a nice reminder that their link is already in place, where it is and a timetable for when you will have to remove it if they don't respond is worth the time.
I've ventured off my original topic but now you know the basics of reciprocal link building.
Good Luck and All The Best!
Mark Stone
Partner
The Info Group
Web Design & SEO Company
This post first appeared on SEO Tips Blog From The Info Group SEO Tips, please read the originial post: here
