Linking Websites

The Internet is a dynamic, rapidly evolving organism and not merely a vast collection of computers, networks and linking websites. Robert E. Kahn and Vinton G. Cerf designed the Internet architecture for both information services and communications capabilities. As efforts to define the Internet at the top policy levels are lacking, it is still best described as an "information superhighway." Kahn and Cerf believe that the best definition of the Internet is the Federal Networking Council 1995 approved definition ( www.fnc.gov ). Against the backdrop of this definition, you will understand linking websites a lot better.

Your website search engine ranking is determined by the three main factors of site optimization, site popularity and link popularity. Links include links to your site and from your site. More the links to your website from other sites, more the people reaching your website.

Any linking strategy begins with the web directories. The biggest by a wide margin are Yahoo! and Google used Open Directory. A listing in these directories generates colossal traffic to your website. Listings in global, local and industry-specific directories with the highest search rankings are another big help to boost traffic to your website. Same is the case with listings on webmaster forums.

As the above are not an end in itself, to build linking websites to significant levels, your website content should be world class, regularly updated and not available anywhere else on the web. Other sites will then want to link to you as it adds value to their sites.

To find sites that may want to link, you should use a search engine and sift through directories such as Yahoo and Open Directory. You must also ascertain who is linking to you and competitors and their incoming links. You then phone or e-mail these sites asking them to link to your site while mentioning that how such a link will benefit site and its users. As the Internet thrives on "I scratch your back, you scratch my back", you can offer them a link exchange. When it comes to reciprocal links, it may be wise to do so before contacting them.

Also use search engines to locate industry related sites that entertain articles and press releases. You could send your site info with a link to the site at the bottom of release.

For more on the Internet, kindly visit www.websiteshub.com.