Getting IBLs

One-way in bound links (IBL) are a major contributing factor to boosting your site to the top of the search results.

What is an IBL? This is a link to your web site for which you have not put in a reciprocal return link. Search engines like these links because they are obviously not part of an artificial reciprocal link exchange. They are closer to a true reflection of the topic and value of your web site content.

How do you get IBLs?

1) Create unique, outstanding content on your web site. Give people useful and interesting content and they’ll link to it. The content does not have to be specifically about your products or services, but it should be of interest to people in your target market. For example, a web site I work on sells tools used by maintenance workers in industrial facilities. I added a page giving wire gauge sizes—information part of the target market has some interest in. That page has attracted links and has become the 15th most popular landing page bringing traffic into the web site. A double benefit.

2) Get your web site listed in every possible directory you can find. This includes the major directories such as DMOZ, JoeAnt, and others. A god starting point is the list of directories available in DMOZ:

http://www.dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/Searching/Directories/

Don’t forget local and regional directories in your area. If you are a member of a trade associations, be sure your web site is included in their online directory. If you exhibit at a trade show, be sure to get your web site included in their directory. Ask your suppliers to include you in their online listings of dealers. Don’t pass up an opportunity to get a one-way link.

3) Write articles about your products and services and offer them to industry publications with the provision that the include the URL to your web site. Don’t forget local newspapers and publications. They almost always have a web site and typically welcome articles. If you’d like wider distribution, offer your articles through the many online article distribution services (search for “free articles” in Google).

4) Learn how to write a good press release, then use press releases to tell the world what you are doing. Have you taken on a new product? Send out a press release. Did you hire a new salesperson? Send out a press release. Who should you send your press release to? Any local, industry, or national publication that might be interested in what you are doing. I ran a small software publishing business out of my home for ten years. Through the use of press releases my small company received coverage in national publications such as Business Week, U.S. News & World Report and INC. Magazine.

Also use the free press release distribution services available on the internet. (Search Google for "free press release distribution"). They'll put your press release on the web and include a link to your web site.