What is a Link Exchange Program?
A link Exchange program is way that any web site can gain exposure by exchanging links or URL
web addresses with other web sites. In ideal situations it is good to exchange links with sites that
have higher traffic than you do, that are related to your field and those that are NOT in direct
competition with your business UNLESS you are in an affiliate program with them.
How Do Link Exchange Programs Work?
The idea behind this is real simple. A business on the Internet wants to exchange URL addresses
with your site. You list THEIR link on your site and they list YOUR link on their site.. With some
sites you can list your link without posting a return link. But most agree that good "Neticate"calls
for a return link.
How does this Help Drive Traffic to My Site?
The world wide web is a VAST place. The latest stats say that over 200 MILLION business web sites
are on the Internet. How can your site compete? You compete by exchanging you URL as much as
you can with other sites. It works like this. Let's say that you have 10 sites that are displaying your
URL linked back to your site. With those 10 sites, lets say you get 10 hits a week from each of these
sites. 10 X 10 = 100 EXTRA hits a week to your site. Of course, this number goes up with each link
exchange you make. Since Internet is a DRIVER market, the more traffic you can "drive" to your
site, the more hits you site will get, the more customers you will get and the more sales you will
make.
How Do I Get The Most Out Of a Link Exchange Programs?
There are many Link Exchange programs on the Internet. When looking over one of these programs
take a look at the following things. First, take a look at how many businesses are listed under
YOUR category. If there are 500 businesses and the links are listed in a first come, first listed way
then you might want to pass up posting that site. People very seldom look past the top 100. Or you
might try listing under a less used category or making a new category. Second, look at the "Terms
of Service" carefully. Some of these sites are specialized in what businesses they list. For example,
some specialize in Adult content sites only, some specialize in children's sites and so on. So make
sure you read the fine print carefully and make sure YOUR business fits in. Third, see what the
requirements are in exchange for YOUR link being posted on their site. Forth, check out their
traffic, if they get little traffic you might want to hold off and post at higher traffic site first.
Tips On posting your URL:
1. Make sure you study the site you are exchanging links with before you ask for an exchange.
2. When you post your own URL or web address TRIPLE CHECK your address BEFORE you hit
send or post.
3. If you wish to post a return URL, contact your webmaster or post the return link within 24 hours.
4. If you own a Merchant Shop in Integrity Tech City a specific page is made for this, contact the
webmaster to post the link or banner on this page.
5. After a week, go back and check to make SURE they posted a return link or banner. It is a very
old trick that some sites play that promise a return link and then never post your URL. These kind
of sites we call "Internet Hogs" and if they have not posted your URL in a week...remove their link
from your site and don't do business with them.
6. You may be required to subscribe to their mailing list, and or other lists. Watch for
automatically check off boxes and uncheck them if you don't want their e-mail material.
7. Read the fine print carefully to make sure that no fees are involved. Often PAY sites have FREE
listings too.
Here are some link programs to get you started.
www.IntegrityTech.com/links/index.cgi
www.Link-O-Matic.com
www.interlinkuk.com
www.linkexchange.com
www.Submit-it.com
www.thenextlink.com
www.snodgrass-industries.com/banner-exchange.htm