It's a given that link popularity is one of the primary criteria search engines use for website rankings. The more links directing traffic to your site, the higher it gets ranked by large search engines.

But, too much of a good thing could end up being not such a good thing altogether. Search engines have wised up to reciprocal and non-relevant linking, going as far as stating these links could actually harm your rankings.

Now, high rankings can only be earned by developing a high quality website with relevant one way links from related websites.

Use the following seven guidelines to help you place better links.

1) Evaluate a site before you place a link

While reciprocal links may not have much search engine value, they are still useful for diverting traffic to your website. Exchanging links with a few select web sites that are related to your business is an easy way to build links.

However, you should evaluate every site that you've agreed to exchange links with. Search engines will go on high alert if you are still linking to a site that has been banned or demoted.

2) Be newsworthy

The most effective way to get one way links is to design a professional looking website with great content. Writing interesting content that's valuable and informative will establish your credibility as an expert in your field, attracting substantial visitors as well as other web site owners who will want to link to you.

People like to link to things/ideas/objects that are interesting and informative.

3) Volunteer at a local college

By owning your own business you've already established yourself as an expert in your field. Why not volunteer to teach at a local college and impart some of that knowledge to students.

Including a link to your website is a price any college would be willing to pay in return for valuable information.

4) Post worthy comments on authority blogs

Write something related to your original site or post worthy comments and ask relevant questions on other blogs that are related to your business. Keep your blog profile public and include links with your signature.

5) Be an authority by writing and submitting articles

Writing content rich and keyword targeted articles and submitting them to article directories is the single most effective way of establishing yourself as an authority and obtaining one way links.

Most article directories offer a wide array of topics under which your article can be included allowing you to post different articles related to your business under different categories.

Every article you submit is accompanied by an author resource box, which contains a back link to your web site.

6) Be patient with your performance

Building valuable, one way links takes time. You must learn to be patient with your efforts. Using tools that ensure rapid and excessive link building over short periods of time can do more damage than good.

A slow, gradual raise in link popularity is what attracts search engines and boosts your ratings.

7) Do the opposite of everyone else

When you follow the herd, you tend to get overlooked. If everyone is doing it, you can almost be certain the search engines are filtering it in some way.

If you are trying to get noticed, you have to do something that will make others sit up and take notice. Be daring. Be adventurous. Treading the path less taken is sure to earn you greater rewards.

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