Conventional link building methods are losing their value. Things like directory submission for example. Google no longer recommends high quality paid directories and in fact in the near future we may see any methods for artificial linking building being frowned on by search engines.

Still there are companies who continue to spend a vast amount of their budget on links although this form of link acquisition has not been allowed by Google for some time now. In fact, some high profile websites have already been penalised for continuing this practice.

Still the urge to spend money on link building is no surprise, especially by a sector of the SEO industry that is considered low quality, if not shady.

Natural Links requires investment

Apart from money, natural links also require time and resources as well as the ‘know how’ in industries such as web design or web development. The investment required does not get spent directly on the links, but rather on the actual web venture that gets the links in a natural and sustainable way, over time. While offers of free links are appealing, they are often of a low quality and can lead to trouble.

Stop the practice of artificial link building and concentrate instead on getting links naturally.

Ways to get links naturally

Start by creating a resource list and keep it updated on a regular basis. You can also program free tools or software which everybody needs but which is not yet being offered to everybody. Develop your theme or template and make sure it is of a high quality or program a popular blog platform plug-in.

Arrange a competition which is both genuine and recurring, once a year is sufficient, or you could also organize a recurring charitable event. Forge relationships with providers similar to you and try to join forces with them. You could also build a community which people are proud to be part of and which they are happy to display on their own websites.

Support others with cheap, if not free, web hosting or anything else you can provide and offer to mirror a high traffic site. Offer rebates for particular groups like students or veterans or even disadvantaged groups.

Place offers of free audio download on your site or offer free e-books. You could even investigate the possibility of getting your content translated into different languages so that you can tap into the market in different countries.

Join a Social Bookmarking community site and become its star member. Offer other members free download such as wall papers or backgrounds, even the use of free icons. Offer webmasters free use of scripts and chunk codes. Give away image but make sure they fall under the category of a creative commons license.

Create and maintain a Facebook application. Offer specific groups different options on information, such as recipes or self improvement articles. Start a discussion on green initiatives and place articles relating to these issues.

Educate, especially children from poor or impoverished homes and help animals who are in distress. Boast about your accomplishments.

The Results?

If you are serious about natural linking there are countless projects based on what people need or what they are interested in which you can tap into. Free stuff is always popular and this may incur an investment on your part, but the results will be gaining links, so your investment can be turned into profit this way. You also gain a good reputation and lots of fans. When you are liked and trusted, people are willing to spend money on you.

Get Involved