How Do I Find Quality Links?
You have a brand spanking new website that you want to share with the world. There’s only one tiny problem. You need quality links coming to your site to help you get up and running, not to mention gain authority and trust. Unfortunately, you’ve heard a lot of negative talk regarding link building and are a bit wary. No need to worry. We’re here to help you on your way to show you what quality link building looks like.
Chamber of Commerce - Go ahead and join your local chamber of commerce. They should have a member directory and since this is such a trusted site with authority, the link you will obtain is a great start for you.
The BBB - If you can, go ahead and sign up for the Better Business Bureau. When you have a brand new website, you are generally the low man on the totem pole when it comes to authority and trust. A link coming in from the BBB is a pretty powerful thing when it comes to trust and will do wonders for your own site.
Sponsorship Links - When it comes to sponsorship opportunities, you will find them in almost any industry. Sponsorship is a great way to build community and market your brand. If you find a sponsorship opportunity, make sure you get a link. Check out colleges and non-profits as they have powerful websites and provide great levels of trust.
Know your Suppliers - Just about any business has a list of suppliers they do business with. List out any vendors you do business with and give them a call or write an email and ask if you could get a mention on their site. Most of them will have a list of resources or a blog, but if that isn’t the case, you could also write a testimonial and ask them to link back to you when sharing it on their site.
Create Social Media Profiles - We are a social world, so it is vital that you take the time to set up social media accounts. This will give you some link diversity, but it is a great marketing tool as well. You can share your brand, build a following, and direct traffic to your website. Probably the best social media accounts would be Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
Local Directories - If you have an actual storefront location, this is a great opportunity for you. There are numerous local listings sites that can add diversity to your link profile. Check out listings such as: White Pages, MapQuest, Yelp, CitySearch, Merchant Circle, Manta, Bing, DexKnows, Yellow Pages, etc.
Blog - Do you have a blog on your site? If so, share it! There are quite a few blog directories you can submit your site to. However, remember that quality is your top priority, so you want to make sure the sites you submit to are trustworthy. Here are a few that will be helpful to you: Bloggapedia, OnTopList, Blogorama, Alltop.
Video Submission Sites - Videos are a great way to add some flare to your content, especially if you are in a technical industry. If you have videos, it’s a great idea to set up an account on YouTube. This is a great traffic source and you will pick up a quality link. Plus, YouTube videos can also help you rank on Google and drive even more traffic to your site. Bonus!
These are only a few suggestions to help you launch your site and find quality links. Make sure you do your homework when planning your link building campaign and you will be well on your way to telling the world about your awesome business and the products/services you offer.