Effective link building strategies for your website include both on-page link building methods as well as off-page methods.

Proper use of these methods will help you optimize both you on site links and help you build high value backlinks.

Today we’ll review some of the effective and not so effective link building strategies and how to best use them.

1. Reciprocal linking

This strategy involves exchanging links with other sites.

Contrary to popular belief this strategy does still provide some benefit, but its minimal.

Asking someone to exchange links often means they will put your link in a sidebar, footer or a links resource page with several other links.   Since the search engines put greater value on links contained in content rather than in side bars, footers or on links exchange pages, which is where a reciprocal link typically goes, the benefit is lost.

2. Write articles and submit them to sites that accept articles

Submit your articles with your resource box containing your name and website address. Article sites often have high page rank. Also, if someone decides to use your article on their site or in their newsletter you’ve just received a new inbound link.

3. Write product testimonials

If you use a product or service that you like, write a testimonial and submit it to the product owner or manufacturer.  If they use it on their website ask they they include a live link to your website or web page in exchange for the testimonial

You will not only gain an inbound link, you can draw traffic from those that read your testimonial.

4. Use your own website’s navigation as a linking strategy

Every page of your site should include links to your most important pages.  Implement good web page optimization methods that includes a site map, proper  site navigation and proper use of tags.

5. Create useful and unique content on your website that will compel others to link to you

How well your content is written and how useful it is will determine whether others link to it.  When people read things that they can learn from or find value in they will reference it in their writing and on their websites.

This will not only help improve your link popularity but it will also satisfy the search engines and increase your keyword search ranking.

6. Join Forums

Search the web for forums that relate to your niche or site’s topic.  Once you find 3 or 4 forums that you like sign up for each one and be a contributor there.  Ask questions, share your knowledge and join discussions.

If the forum allows for a signature link, be sure to include it.  This signature link will be included with your name every time you make a comment on the forum.

Don’t spam the forums with useless comments or dissertations that users find boring.  Most forum moderators will simply delete those types of entries and they just might delete you altogether. T