SEO is about many different things. It's about more then just getting back links to your website or page. There are many factors that are important when it comes to ranking your websites in the search engines. Many will argue that building back links to your site is the most important thing you can do, but the truth is that there are a few main factors that affects how you rank.
Back links are very important, but so is onsite SEO and original content. I'm going to talk about links and give you some basics on the different kinds of links out there.
First, what is a link and why are they important? A link is a way to connect to websites together. It's important to understand the reason why links exist. The first reason is more of the way that the search engines and the pioneers of search engines imagined things and the second reason is more of the reality.
- To provide people with a way to find useful and relevant information. This could be interesting, entertaining or educational content.
- To increase your rankings in the search engines. To get your website to show up higher in the rankings for your target keyword or phrase.
You may be wondering, what type of links should I build? There are three main types, with many sub categories. We'll go over the three main types now.
Reciprocal Links:
These are also called two-way links. These type of links are obtained by exchanging links with other web masters. This method has been around from the beginning and is the class link exchange. These links should be avoided as they are very low value and are probably not worth the time it takes to negotiate them. They are such low value because if two sites link to each other, most likely it's because they have agreed to do so and it's not seen as natural by Google. Unless this link is going to send you a lot of highly relevant traffic, I'd avoid it.
These are also called two-way links. These type of links are obtained by exchanging links with other web masters. This method has been around from the beginning and is the class link exchange. These links should be avoided as they are very low value and are probably not worth the time it takes to negotiate them. They are such low value because if two sites link to each other, most likely it's because they have agreed to do so and it's not seen as natural by Google. Unless this link is going to send you a lot of highly relevant traffic, I'd avoid it.
One Way Links:
These links are your bread and butter. They are sometimes called inbound links, back links, and non-reciprocal links. These links should be the only ones you are interested in building. A one way link is created when a website links to another website without the other site linking back. These are the simplest level of link and also the most powerful. The link is like a vote for your site or page and is highly valued by Google. Depending on an array of factors, the power thats passed on from the site could be a lot or a little, but it's better then any other type of link you can get. Focus on these.
These links are your bread and butter. They are sometimes called inbound links, back links, and non-reciprocal links. These links should be the only ones you are interested in building. A one way link is created when a website links to another website without the other site linking back. These are the simplest level of link and also the most powerful. The link is like a vote for your site or page and is highly valued by Google. Depending on an array of factors, the power thats passed on from the site could be a lot or a little, but it's better then any other type of link you can get. Focus on these.
