Understanding the Basics of Link Exchange

by Michael Fleischner, author of SEO Made Simple

Link Exchanging is the process of exchanging text links between websites. Webmasters exchange links to improve traffic through numerous inbound links or link popularity. Exchanging links is normally a free process (unless you choose to a fee-based link exchange program), making link exchanges cost effective. Another benefit of using a link exchange program is that it helps improve search engine result placements.

There are various ways to initiate a link exchange with other websites. The most popular method of initiating a link exchange is to email the webmaster of a targeted site and ask to exchange links. You can also find websites looking to exchange links by visiting discussion boards hosted by webmasters. These websites might have link exchange forums or link exchange directories where you can request link exchanges from a specific category or select potential link partners based on other factors such as Google PR or content relevance.

Recently some webmasters have stated that search engines like Google are no longer placing significance importance on reciprocal links. The consensus is that popularity of a website is now measured by the number and value of incoming one way links. Relevance is also a key factor. Webmasters do not have to link directly with competitors, but should link with websites that have industry relevance. Having a link from a website with no relevance could potentially negatively affect Search Engine Result Pages.

Types of Link Exchanges

There are essentially 3 types of link exchange; reciprocal, one-way, and 3-way links. Each has its merits, but one-way links are ideal.

1. Reciprocal Links: When you place a link on your website to another's website, and they provide a link back, it is referred to as reciprocal linking. This is a basic link exchange and a great way to get started with your link building efforts. Just make sure that you are linking with an industry-relevant website.

2. One Way Links: Receiving a link to your website from a third party site is referred to as a one-way link. This is the most beneficial link you can receive, especially if its from a site that has an adequate Google PR and is relevant to your website.

3. 3-Way Links: Providing a link exchange between multiple sites, but not directly to the two primary sites is referred to as a 3-way link exchange. To illustrate, imagine sites A, B, and C. In a three-way link exchange, site A would place a link to site C, and site C would place a link to B. Sites A and B are owned by the same webmaster.

Regardless of which method you use, reciprocal linking provides value to your website. Websites that have completed many link exchanges will usually experience increased traffic through direct clicks and improved search engine rankings. There are various ways for webmasters to find linking websites through direct contact with Webmasters or link exchange directories. The use of link exchanges by webmasters will continue to be an important and useful means of marketing websites and improving search engine placement for many years to come.

Michael Fleischner is an Internet marketing expert with more than 12 years of marketing experience. To discover how to improve search engine rankings on Google and other major search engines vist http://www.webmastersbookofsecrets.com.

Internet Marketing and Social Networking Traffic Building

By Dhruv Patel

For most internet marketing gurus, the use of internet marketing and social networking sites has been their secret weapons. If you are a business owner, you would quite agree with me that, it is always necessary to enhance your business. You can achieve this by using some major and very popular social networking platform. While most people resort to the internet, in a bid to get the information they seek; millions have joined social networks; and are still doing so. It is therefore beyond reasonable doubt, that the majority of people will become members of social networks at one point in time; for the purpose of processing information. Can you use social networking as a tool to improve the success of your internet marketing?

Internet marketing and social networking sites has really help most successful marketers. Like I said earlier, most marketers are following this new trend. Social marketing is now employed by virtually every marketer who wishes expand his/her business and profit too. Having a good brand (name) is very important. You would want to your customers to know not only what they are buying. And it is only important they know who they are buying from too.

I have compiled 4 essential tips to help you succeed at internet marketing; using the method of social networking.

Communications: This is a very important key to success to what ever internet marketing strategy you opt to use. Your real-time customers can only get to know better when there is an open flow of communication between both parties. The same goes for potential customers. Be bold and step out into the open. Do your best to join more popular networks; start contacting people who would be interested in your business. This signifies business mutualism: They help your business grow; and return the favor.

Quality Content: content is very necessary in internet marketing. Always make sure that whatever you are “selling” contains quality content that will be savored by your clients. Thanks to new technological innovations and development; you can now attract people to your business with such magnetic force. Unsurprisingly, you can achieve this goal with just a little effort. Yes, while I do not encourage laziness, you want to couple your efforts with smartness and intelligence.

Help People: You also want to be the Good Samaritan of old if you are to succeed internet marketing. What do I mean by this? If you are really making money online; or you have an offline business that does as much good, passing on the information to people won’t do any harm. So when you help them, they get to trust you. It increases your online credibility and customers would be willing to work with you. They also see you as a nice person and will not hesitate to believe whatever information you pass unto them.

Spread The Right Links: This is where most people go wrong in internet marketing. Don’t even think of distributing the links to your social network. This is jet-age; and most people are already members of one social network or another. Talking about links, I mean, you must always include the links to your blog or website on your profile. Do not impose it upon them to click on your links. They will clearly see it in your profile and the decision to click on the links is solely theirs.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=493029&ca=Internet

5 Effective Calls to Action

by Peter Engelhardt, Creative Brew

For any website to convert potential customers into a sale or enquiry, it needs to have a distinct "call to action". This enticement should be aimed at engaging with your audience and encouraging them to leave their details, buy a product or spend more time discovering your website, hence, helping your business grow. This can be a call for debate or discussion, signing up to receive newsletters, taking part in a survey, or adding a widget from your site on their computer.

A "call to action" should be unique, simple, clear and compelling enough to persuade a potential customer to take some action. Structured properly it will help attract new clients and retain current ones. It plays on the simplest of marketing rules - "give the customer something for nothing". Although it is essentially an information-collecting tool it should leave the customer feeling good and feeling like they have began a real relationship with your company.

Bear in mind that a mere "Contact us" form on your website is not considered a "call to action". Today's audience is smart, and is unlikely to share contact information on a plain vanilla text form. This is not only unappealing, it also sets off an alarm in the audience's mind that all you want is contact information and nothing else.  A "call to action" is about building trust and relationships - and ultimately a stronger web conversion ratio on you site.

At Creative Brew we have studied the netizen's mindset and will customize a call to action for your website based on the kind of business you're in, what you sell, what your strong points are and what kind of audience you'd want to attract. In short, here are the 5 principles we follow to arrive at the best call to action for individual website:

1) The KISS formula

Keep It Simple - we can't say it loud enough! Do not over-embellish your call to action - statistics (and common sense) dictate that for a call to action to work, it has to be easy to act on and delivered immediately. Do not place your call to action as a final point after navigating your website, do not promise an elaborate reward upon completing it and for heaven's sake, do not get cute. If you sell cute stuff, it's a different story, but do not give off an impression of flippancy - it turns people off. Make your call to action a clear offer.

2) Highlight it

Make it the star of the site, position it on your Home Page. By placing it at the top or by highlighting it in a banner or in a different colour than that of your website's background, you're telling your audience that this is where they can connect with you. Let them know.

3) Throw in something extra

Don't forget this golden rule - everybody and their grandma loves a good bargain. Offer up one with your call to action. It doesn't have to be exorbitant; it just needs to be there. Study your competition and what they're offering. Understand what kind of a giveaway will complement your website - and hence, your product/service/business. Get inside the head of your target audience - they never lie.

4) Use the right words

Active language is the key. A single word that calls out to your audience to click on your call to action and get going is what your site requires. "Call", "Subscribe", "Register", Free" - these are some of the tried and tested active words. Use them.

5) Make it work

Give your audience what they think they should get from your site. For example, if you're a consulting group that provides expertise in manpower management, put together a document that includes a PDF of the services your company provides, a couple of case studies and a form for the HR manager to complete. Also include handy tips to reduce attrition, snippets from articles you have written and mistakes to avoid during hiring. Which HR team would not want a ready reckoner on employee retention? Since these "whitepapers" are downloadable, the visitor gets instant gratification and you would have high recall value in his mind the next time he needs help in this area. And with this positive experience, you're sure to get some positive word-of-mouth as well.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-tips-articles/5-effective-calls-to-action-3254829.html

About the AuthorPeter J Engelhardt is the founder of the highly respected marketing & design company Creative Brew. With over 20 years of branding experience Peter is now motivated by the exciting potential that new and social media has brought to the world of communications. His passion is embracing this technology to find new and better ways to help clients with their marketing challenges. He companies focus is based on merging traditional marketing practices with the emerging new media tools.