Reciprocal Linking
Advice and Software

Exchanging links with other quality websites is still one of the most important strategies you can use. According to the statistics, direct links to your site can account for almost half of your visitors. Not only this, but playing the search engine marketing game, whilst important, is a fragile way to market your site if it's the only method employed. Imagine if a search engine suddenly penalised you for some reason... all your marketing efforts out of the window because of one error.

If you build up a collection of good quality, in-bound links to your site, then over time you can be sure to receive a steady stream of visitors to your site who have already expressed in your subject.

Reciprocal link Strategy

1. Other web sites send you visitors because they link to you.

If you have just 500 links pointing to your site and each site sends you in average only 3 visitors per day, then you'll get 1,500 targeted visitors per day.

2. Some search engines use "link popularity" to rank web sites.

If your site has a high link popularity, then you'll have high rankings on the search engines. To improve your link popularity (and to improve your search engine ranking), you must have reciprocal links. BUT... they need to be of quality and in keeping with the theme of your site. Think 'Quality... not quantity'.

3. Exchanging reciprocal links with other sites will build a great link directory.

Your visitors will bookmark your site and visit your site again and again because you can offer them a valuable resource.

	Important! If you develop a link directory, ensure you keep it 'on topic' i.e. related to the theme of your site. Think what would be useful to your visitors. Do not swap with anyone and everyone. If the site requesting a link is nothing more than a page of random websites, delete it. Treat your links directory with the same care and attention you apply to the rest of your site.

Reciprocal Link Software and Scripts

If used correctly, the following can provide a means of finding new link partners and establishing and managing your own directory.

Link Management Software

I use Arelis ( 9/10) for some of my sites. Originally it was sold as a separate application but is now bundled with the equally brilliant Internet Business Promoter (IBP).

I have to confess that I strayed away from Arelis for a short while but any 'gaps' have now been well and truly plugged since the integration with IBP. This really is a powerful piece of kit. Forgetting all of the features of IBP, the cost (approximately $250) is well worth it for Arelis alone.

This application comes with a free trial so you can give it a good try before committing your hard earned cash. If you run a number of websites, then the professional version will allow you to create multiple projects with some really great features such as import link partners directly into a new project.

The only thing that would stop me giving Arelis 10/10 is my, probably unrealistic, desire to see submitted requests imported directly into the application. This is a minor concern and with a good clip organiser such as ClipMate, really isn't a problem.

Arelis Link Management Software

Arelis is software that you install on your PC, manage the addition of link partners yourself and then upload to your website as you would any other web page. If you prefer to have your linking solution hosted remotely, then consider the following solutions that are installed on your server:

Reciprocal Linking Scripts

These are installed on your server, i.e. you will need to have a MySQL database and have access to your server to upload the files. They both offer installation help if you're not technically minded but if you don't mind doing it yourself, you could be up and running in 5 minutes.  

Link Machine (6/10) Comes in 3 versions ranging from 'free' to 'premium' to 'SEO upgrade'. The free version is sufficient to get you up and running and I would suggest you try this first to see if it fits with your requirements.

Affiliates World Link Information

If you have a website that fits with the overall theme of mine, i.e. affiliate marketing, then please add your link.

• Link Partners
  Directory of affiliate marketing and Internet marketing link partners and resources.
• Submit Site
  
  If you have an affiliate marketing site, submit it to the Affiliates World directory. Please note that I will only reciprocate with quality sites that are related to affiliate or Internet marketing.