Getting links is a never-ending preoccupation in the SEO industry. Links are so valuable to the search engine optimisation of a website that they are almost a solid commodity. SEO experts are constantly on the lookout for new ways to encourage links to their client’s website, and very few of the advertised techniques seem to be of much use.

There are approaches that everyone takes to links, and if your site is trying to boost its backlinks it is always advisable that these approaches are taken. However, there are a few creative tricks that many businesses miss when trying to attract links back to their sites. It’s a good idea to take try these tricks as well.

The building of fresh and interesting content is important to search engine optimisation for more than one reason. It is universally held in the SEO industry that regular fresh content on a site attracts search engine attention and ultimately boosts your ranking. When it comes to attracting links, fresh content is often used by distributing it to the various article websites, which then provide back links. Something people often don’t think of is the use of video. Creating a number of how-to videos and posting them on video sites can help to establish your business as an authority. It also provides interesting and innovative content for your site. Be sure to tag this kind of content appropriately to boost its SEO value – you can talk to us at SEO Consult about SEO for video content.

Getting into contact with the community of your industry is something that any good SEO consultant will recommend, but to forge links it helps to be a little more assertive. Research the industry publications that are relevant to you and contact them for interviews. Contact podcasters for interviews. Talk to the bloggers in your niche and develop a relationship with them. Offer to donate products for promotions to these and other influential media representatives. Often, independent media commentators like bloggers and podcasters welcome this kind of promotion as it boosts their site’s traffic as well.

Relationship building within your industry is important, but finding businesses that complement yours can be a huge help. This is because of the opportunity to co-promote. For example, your business might be a software company. You could build a relationship with an online retailer of computer hardware and host a co-promotion for a set period of time. Neither side has to be invested in the other’s business, but is simply informing their customers and taking advantage of another business’ client list. Both sides win.

It may be counter-intuitive, but back linking to your competitor’s websites can be a way to boost your own. Particularly if your site is new, linking to an established site can draw the attention of your target users. Your site has an opportunity to sell itself any time a user passes by, even if they are clicking through to your competitors. Of course, in doing this you provide links for your competitors and it can be an idea to remove the links after your site has taken best advantage of the situation.

Links are undoubtedly difficult to get hold of, particularly if your site is new. Sometimes it takes a bit of creative thinking to wrangle links out of a competitive industry.

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