Build up links to your website

There are three main factors that determine the search engine ranking of your website:

Site optimisation is about placing your keywords in the right places on your website and making your website accessible to search engines. Please read Search engine optimisation: The basics for more about this.

Site popularity can be achieved through online and offline marketing and through link popularity - the more websites that link to you the more people will find your website. For more on online marketing please read this Buying your way in article.

The directories

The best place to start any linking strategy is with web directories. The two biggest by far are Yahoo! and the Open Directory (used by Google). Being listed in these is an absolute must as they generate huge amounts of traffic.

There are plenty of other directories you should get listed in too. Global, local and industry-specific directories abound on the Internet. To find them run a search for ‘web directory’ on your favourite search engine. The directories that come up highest in the search rankings will probably generate the most traffic. You can also check these directories of directories:

Webmaster forums

Another great place to get your site listed. Most webmaster forums have an area where you're allowed to enter your URL to get feedback from other webmasters. Find some forums, sign up, and get posting!

Long-term solution

Getting links in directories (and forums) is really important, but obviously there's only so far you can go with this tactic. It's really important to have a long-term strategy to build up those incoming links to a sizeable level. A real long-term solution, and one that adds significant value to your website, is to create first-rate content. That's it. Quite simple really. First-rate content should:

If you can provide this kind of content then other websites will want to link to you. By doing so they'll be adding value to their site visitors.

How do I create first-rate content?

Unfortunately what works for one website won't work for another, so I can't offer you any specific advice. Here are some examples though, to help you start thinking about it: