Link Exchange
Link Exchangingis the process of exchanging text links or banner links between websites. Webmasters exchange links to improve traffic through numerous inbound links so users on other websites can click through. Exchanging links is normally a free process (unless you choose to use a link exchange program which charges fees), making link exchanges cost effective. Another benefit of using a link exchange service is that it helps improve placement in the search engines. Link exchanges have been used by webmasters for years as a means of direct marketing. Recently, this practice has gained more popularity among webmasters due to the fact search engines prefer websites that have many inbound links, thus improving positions in the Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs). To the search engines, this is an accurate means of determining the importance of websites. This practice by the search engines to rank websites has helped lead to the popularity of linked-based search engines, like Google. Thus, link exchange software and services have become popular.
There are various ways to initiate a link exchange with another website. The primary way of beginning a link exchange is to email another webmaster and ask to exchange links. Another way to find websites looking to exchange links is to visit webmaster discussion boards. These websites might have link exchange forums or link exchange directories where webmasters can request link exchanges from a specific category or have open requests to allow any website to exchange a link.
With the importance of link exchanges, many types of link exchange websites have emerged as a source for webmasters. There are 2 types of link exchange directories. Paid directories make the process of exchanging links easier, but cost money and usually require software to be placed on the webmasters website to assist with the link exchange. Free link exchange directories have no cost, except they require the webmaster to manually add each website. Webmasters can have complete control over links when part of a free link exchange.
Recently some marketing companies have stated that search engines are no longer placing a heavy importance on reciprocal links. The consensus is that popularity of a website is now gauged by incoming one way links. The experts also agree that in addition to having numerous inbound links, the relevance of the linking websites is very important. Link exchanges between complimenting websites is important. Webmasters do not have to link directly with competitors, but should link with websites that have industry relevance. Having a website link with no relevance could potentially negatively affect Search Engine Result Pages.
Websites that have completed many link exchanges will usually experience increased traffic through direct clicks and search engine results. There are various ways for webmasters to find linking websites through direct email contact or link exchange directories. It is important for webmasters to check the relevancy of the links that are being adding as links that have little or no relevance might negatively affect their placement. The use of link exchanges by webmasters will continue to be an important and useful means of marketing websites and improving search engine placement.
Currently Recommend the Following for Link Exchange:
Link Machine -
Notes: writes all files directly to your site, allows for easy submission to your site with form, can be set to auto accept from other link members.
Action Steps:
1. Choose one or more Link Trading Systems.
2. Collect link trades that are in a similar field, keyword, category.
3. Place high profile (high value in Google PR) is special locations in your site - outside of the link pages. Have the link exchanger do the same for you. Be sure the link has a reasonable paragraph / information on the link and that it applies to the page that you placed it on.
4. Get as many one way links as possible to your site - “one way” meaning where people post links to your site, but you did not have to post to them.
Update: Google now penalizes sites that purchase links or sells links for the purpose of improving natural search engine rankings.