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I have continually stressed the importance of links in regards to optimizing your storefront to ensure that your site is ranked high in search engines, Alexa and Google Page Rank. While there are three types of links: inbound, outbound and reciprocal, it is important to understand to which sites to link your URL. In the world of the Internet, linking sites is a form of association. You are saying “think of me when you are on this site, we are friends, etc.” Therefore, a rule of thumb and suggestions to link by:
1. Content must be related!
As I stated before, links are considered association not only to customers, but search engines as well. Before adding an outbound link, make sure supporting context exists. With inbound links, you don’t want to risk putting your website in a negative light. Check the Page Rank of the sites you are associated with—yes, it is a popularity contest…but hopefully without all of the drama! This is especially useful when determining whether or not to pay to be listed in a directory. Even if the site is popular, content still must be related! Have a purpose for the link or you will be penalized when the spiders crawl.
2. AllinURL
Searching for sites that use the same keywords you do is a great way to find new sites to which to link your site. You don’t want to link to competitors, but you should respond to blogs and forums. This will help expand industry discussion and you can sneak in your URL for contact information or as a hyperlink. For instance, if you are responding to a blog to which you disagree, include a hyperlink to the page on your site which helps prove your point. This is also a great chance to add more links to deeper pages on your site. (Yes, I do encourage comments to my blogs…I get lonely!)
3. Blogs
We all love blogs, or we wouldn’t be here…and they are a great way to encourage customer-generated content and outbound links. For instance, I have written many blogs in response to an article. Adding the link to the article helps both sites because search engines perceive this as credibility, social interaction and related content. Truly, I do it for the sole purpose of educating my readers and avoiding plagiarism…
Blog rolls are another great way to expand your blog. Add an RSS feed of another blog on a topic that your readers might find interesting. Again, this increases credibility, association and outbound links. Additionally, with greater information on your site, you are likely to gain repeat visitors.
4. Quality, not Quantity!
To sum it all up, it is important to remember that when you create links on a daily basis it is QUALITY not quantity! This includes the factor on content, page ranking and credibility. The Internet is a great place to create loyal customers and gain brand awareness, but you are constantly molding your brand image. Be sure this is done with careful consideration… not everyone’s brand can be strengthened through the help of a tree frog.
Now, go link crazy!
Webster
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Tags: e-commerce solution, link, search ranking, page rank, alexa, hyperlink, outbound, inbound, reciprocal, site optimization, SEO |
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Categories: SEO, RSS, User Generated Content, Ecommerce Blog |
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Hello, friends of ShopVisible! Today has been quite hectic… One of my first e-mails was the SiteProNews Newsletter which featured the article "Why Bother With Linked-in or Facebook". This article resulted in four hours of joining social networks and creating pages. Why, you might ask? Well not only did I already have insight on off-site optimization from hanging around the individuals at ShopVisible, the article definitely gave me additional perspective on the importance!
Basically, the author, John Clark, realizes the importance of off-site factors. With off-site optimization, your natural search ranking is enhanced more than if you had solely used on-site optimization. Through sites such as Linked-in and Facebook, you can post links to your company website and list the company as your employer. This creates more search results and off-site links—which Google really likes! The optimization of your search rankings will ultimately increase traffic and hopefully sales as well.
Additionally, social networks provide credibility for your company. Linked-in’s feature of Recommendations not only creates more links, it highlights your skills and accomplishments. In our previous blogs you have read about customer generated information and how it positively influences shoppers. Connections on Linked-in will read your recommendations and eventually feel more comfortable about conducting business with you.
It’s a good thing ShopVisible understands this and ensures that affiliate tools, in-site search and channel management are easily accessible through the platform. But if I still haven’t convinced you of the importance of off-site optimization, read the article for yourself!
Don’t forget that you can now find me on MySpace and Facebook! Also, be sure to write recommendations for the people who work at ShopVisible. Client support is a great way to help businesses grow (plus, you might get a recommendation in return).
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