New to Finding Links - Need Some Guidance

Should I use software? If so, which program is best?

[wfernley]

Hi everyone,

I am starting to promote two websites which both have the same topic. I am looking to increase the link popularity of both but I am curious about the best way to do this. I have got some links already by searching in Google for various keywords plus "add url" and "add site." I have noticed some discussion about programs such as Arelis and ZEUS that you can use to find links.

I am finding it hard to locate sites that I can trade links with or get one way links. I was curious if these programs work and if so what is the best program to go with. I would just use them for finding sites that I can add my site, then from there, I will email them or use their submission section on their site to make it more personalized so I have better chances of getting the link.

What does everyone suggest?

Thanks!

Wes

[Lorel]

I haven't used those programs but from the programs I have seen I'd say do it yourself. there is no easy way around finding quality links. Here is what I do:

Search Google and once you exhaust all quality links move to Yahoo, et. al. It's a long tiresome job. If there really was a software program that worked and produced quality links they'd be millionaires by now.

Search as you said but I'd also use the word "links".

Good links are few and far between. It takes me about an hour to find 4 suitable sites, check for code that will hide the links and submit to them, record data etc.

It's been my experience that it's hard to find anything over a PR 5 site now-days because once they start gaining PR they start charging for their links or take them off the site entirely.

[hp11]

It is true that there are plenty of automated programs out there that will help you with your link building. The problem is that most of these programs aren't worth it. The best appraoch is natural link devolopment - there are really no short cuts.

Look at everyone that spammed the hell out of every blog they could find, to only have Google devalue those links. I know that has nothing to do with your situation, I am just using it as an example to state that there really are no free rides with SEO.

My advice is to send personal link requests, submit articles, develop content/articles on your site so that others will want to link to you, try free press releases, set up a blog/forum/RSS for your site, etc.

[wheel]

Check out links to your competitors. If they linked to your competitor, perhaps they'll link to you.

1) type in 'keyword you're trying to rank for' in Google.
2) Take the #1 site, and check the backlinks in yahoo using "link:www.#1-site.com".
3) Visit all the backlinks - would they give you a link? send them an email.
4) repeat for spots 2-100. Then do it all over again for a different but related term.

Also, check out the first 10 pages of sites that show up under your keywords. Sometimes you can convince some of those sites to give you a link as well.

That should keep you busy and out of trouble for a few days.

[willybfriendly]

Directories....and directories of directories

"keyword"+"add site"
"keyword"+"submit site"
"keyword"+"add url"
etc.

"keyword"+"gossamer threads"

There are older WW threads that give even more ideas

WBF