Link Building:25 reasons why another site

will link to yours

Ken McGaffin, CMO Wordtracker

1. Because you pay them for a listing

Link: http://www.skaffe.com/viewCat/11594

PatioShoppers.com

Of course, directory listings are some of the easiest to get. All you have to do is pay the required fee and follow the guidelines to have your site included.

2. Because you’re a member of a Trade Association

Link: http://www.woodworking.org/WC/members.html

Cabinetstore.com

Many trade associations now have a good online presence and as part of their benefits publish links to their member’s websites.

3. Because your products get people talking

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/adding-rollout-shelves-to-existing-cabinets-good-questions-106832

ShelfGenie.com

People will talk about and ask questions about your products and that can bring you links as in this question about Shelf Genie published on Apartment Therapy.

4. Because you’re a member of a local group

http://www.outerbankschamber.com/vguide/rentalagents.cfm

BrindleyBeach.com

Local groups and associations can be great sources of local links as in this link to BrindleyBeach.com from the Outerbanks Chamber of Commerce.

5. Because you make a great case study

http://www.netimperative.com/news/2008/june/9/coremetrics-speeds-up-site-tagging-time

Tuccini.com

Companies are always looking for good case study material. If you can help your suppliers communicate the benefits of their products, then links can follow.

6. Because you belong to a specific demographic group

http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/blog/young-entrepreneur-interview-sarah-prevette-of-sprouter-com/

Sprouter.com

This interview with Sarah Prevette of Sprouter.com was published on YoungEntrepreneur.com.

7. Because you submit a tip

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/woodworking_blog/index.php/tag/furniture/

AdamRung.com

Submitting tips to industry journals or blogs raises your profile and brings nice links such as this one on The Woodworker’s Journal for Adam Rung.

8. Because you comment on a breaking news story

http://www.abebooks.com/blog/index.php/2009/02/23/socks-the-cat-dead-at-19-and-the-10-oddest-presidential-pets/

PetsPlace.com

PetsPlace.com piggybacked on the news that the Clinton’s cat passed away. They compiled a list of the 10 Oddest Presidential Pets and got links such as this one from AbeBooks as a result.

9. Because you’re a valuable resource

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/734277/Where-the-West-was-shot.html

SedonaRouge.com

A writer on a ‘road and movie’ trip through Arizona, visits locations from famous movies. At the end of the article, he lists resources for anyone following in his footsteps.

10. Because you offer a discount

http://www.petergreenberg.com/b/10-Great-Labor-Day-Travel-Deals/-318735182110114917.html

Broadmoor.com

We all love a discount and that’s why many bloggers and journalists will direct their readers to great offers they hear about. Even better if you can tie into a specific holiday.

11. Because you make a donation

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/news/japan-relief-efforts/

Crumbs.com

Your charitable donations are not only good in themselves, but they can also bring links as shown by CRUMB’S Bake Shop’s donation to the Japan relief fund.

12. Because you support your industry

http://www.sema.org/sema-enews/2009/28//full

FabFours.com

FabFours.com is a leading bumper manufacturer who support SEMA, the Specialist Equipment Marketing Association – they’ve been rewarded with a link.

13. Because you have an unusual business

http://www.coolbusinessideas.com/archives/barber_stop.html

BarberStop.com

Barber Stops are small self-contained barber shops easily set up in any retail setting. The unusual nature of the business cries out for attention.

14. Because you give an interview

http://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com/small-business-braintrust/andy-dunn-100222

Bonobos.com

People love to hear stories, not dull business facts. So experts, bloggers and journalists are keen to interview the people behind the companies they feature.

15. Because you’re offering an internship or job

http://www.onedayoneinternship.com/internships/warby-parker/#more-7197

WarbyParker.com

Warby Parker is a spectacle company in New York that is looking to recruit interns. By spreading the word, they got this link One Day One Internship

16. Because you attend an exhibition

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/wellness-expoandtrade-2009-directory-of-exhibitors/Content?oid=1253313

NewBathNow.com

NewBathNow.com attend exhibitions and events in promoting their bathroom remodeling products. Many such events now offer links to participating companies.

17. Because you buck a trend

http://www.jsonline.com/business/49048151.html

Everything2go.com

Economic times are tough but many companies are bucking the trend, growing sales and creating new jobs. Everything2go is one featured in this newspaper article with a link.

18. Because you publish videos on your own site

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=87368

YetiCoolers.com

Yeti Coolers are stronger than ordinary coolers. And they’ve made some videos to prove it. The videos attracted links from the spearfishing community at SpearBoard.com

19. Because you publish videos on YouTube

http://www.kendallgiles.com/kegblog/travel/

TRXTraining.com

TRXTraining.com publish an intensive 12-week fitness program on YouTube. It brings them links like this one.

20. Because your products make great gifts

http://denverchiropractor.com/blog/healthy-valentine-gift-ideas/

Romanospizzeria.com

People are always looking for great gifts and they love reading lists – and they also love writing them as this post on 101 healthy Valentines gifts shows.

21. Because you help them make money

http://www.coolmompicks.com/2008/11/holiday_baby_gifts_that_is_actually.php

Estella-nyc.com

Many bloggers have affiliate links for the products they write about and review. Offering an affiliate scheme can bring you extra sales and extra links.

22. Because your products are healthy

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/everydaycooking/tastetests/healthysnacktastetest

FoodShouldTasteGood.com

A focus on healthy foods was recognized by Epicurious Magazine when they published an article on healthy foods that kids love.

23. Because you support a local college

http://www.ndsu.edu/caedm/partners/

Appareo.com

Appareo’s innovative products improve flight safety on aircraft. The company partners with North Dakota State University and got a trusted link as a result.

24. Because you seek help

http://www.marketingprofs.com/ea/qst_question.asp?qstID=12376

Appareo.com

Appareo asked members at MarketingProfs.com what they thought about its mission statement and got a nice link as a result.

25. Because you encourage reviews

http://www.mommyenterprises.com/2009/03/eleven-review-and-giveaway.htm

Elevencollection.com

Sites such as Mommy Enterprizes invites companies to submit their products for review. The results include links like this one.

www.wordtracker.com/linkbuilder