The Value of Relevant, Incoming Links
There is an ongoing difference of opinion about the value of reciprocal link exchanges compared to one way incoming links. My experience says that while link exchanges DO help if done correctly, they aren't as effective as they used to be. You do want as many incoming links from topic related authority sites as possible. Incoming links are like votes from the online community for your site's worthiness. One way links are the best, however relevant link trades still get great results as well.
The idea that the engines are going to penalize you for trading links with other similar sites is PROPOSTEROUS! Think about it. The entire Internet is composed of nothing but web sites linking to each other. I'm not even going to justify this paranoia with an explanation. The key is this. If you are going to engage in a link exchange, ideally, only link up with other related topic sites and don't overdo it. However relevant links from the right category of a link directory on any themed site, aren't going to hurt you. In fact they will help you, particularly if that site is favorably indexed in Google. The only exception to this rule is if you are trading links with sites that are banned or blacklisted by Google or one of the other major engines. Enough said.
The bottom line is: You should strive to get as many incoming, text relevant links, with your desired key phrases in the actual link text, from as many respectable web sites and directories as you can! Build them slowly and naturally, and get both reciprocal and one way links.
What is your incoming link popularity rating?
Click Here To Find Out
Link Management Systems and Software Reviews
Below you will find some my honest opinions of the better, time tested link exchange services, software and options available. I have spent many hours researching, testing and disguarding various link exchange programs that didn't get good results. If they aren't listed here it is probably because I rejected them but feel free to Contact Me and ask about one if you like. I don't claim to be a know it all, but I will give you my honest opinion based on my 15+ years of web development experience for what it's worth. I have either used or thoroughly tested each of the link management systems below (and many more).
Link Exchange For Beginners
Services
Index Guy
This is currently one of my all time favorites and has been for years. It is a plug and play system. Just setup a free account and insert some php code on your site and go (for a reciprocal link directory). Or setup a paid account for one way links (I recommend the Silver). It allows you to put in multiple link title phrases with different discriptions associated with each and you receive a monthly report showing you how many sites are linking to you as well as whre your link is located.
Index Guy is an ideal choice for anyone who doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg on links and is just too busy (or uninterested) to manually edit or manage a link exchange. The one way links you get via this low cost system aren't the ideal high PR Authority site type links but they do make a noticable, measurable difference and you can't beat the price for the value.
Click Here to Check Out Index Guy
Software
This is a great piece of software. The free version allows you to submit to enough directories to make a noticable difference and intice you to upgrade. The upgrade is not expensive at all.
There are alot of these directory submission software programs on the net however this one in my opinion after trying many is absolutely the best. It allows you to track your submissions, save different web site profiles and even pick directories based on PR. It semi automates the link submission process and saves you a ton of time and effort.
Note: This software works particularly well with Duncans Link Management Assistant or link machine (shown below). Many of the directories are free and don't require a link back but if you want preferential treatment you simply provide a link back and you can add their link into Duncans Link Management Assistant.
Link Exchange for Intermediates
Link Machine
Link Machine is a combination Software and online Service that is Ideal for "do it yourself" newbies or beginners who are unfamiliar with link exchanges or just plain too busy to invest the extra time and effort NECESSARY to establish and manage a targeted reciprocal link exchange system. It is an almost fully automated system that leaves nothing to question or chance.
Click Here to Check Out Link Machine
This software runs on your PC, creates and uploads your link directory. While it does take some manual input (placing it in the semi-automated link exchange category), it will check your link partners backlinks and email them etc upon your command. The nice thing about this software is it has a built in system for submitting to directories and finding link partners. A total solution but you do have to put time and effort into it. It's not a set and forget program.
Click Here to Check Out WebLink SEO
Link Exchange for Advanced & Web Masters
Duncan Carvers FREE Link Management Assistant
This is another one of my all time favorites. It's a FREE .php program offered by Duncan Carver and it has more features than most paid solutions I've found. You can totally customize it to your site's look and feel, but I warn you, you need some .php install and configure experience to set it up. You also have to find the partners yourself but once you have them, maintaining them is almost fully automated.
The only 3 problems I've had with it are:
- If you activate the Google PR feature in the settings, on some servers this throws an error. Don't freak out though, it goes away if you disable the Google PR ranking feature.
- It has on occaision falsely reported a partners site not linking back and because it is automated, it disables their link once it believes they aren't linking back. However it does inform you and their webmaster. I have occaisionally gotten emails from other webmasters saying our link still exists and sure enough it does. I'm not sure if this is due to a server security setting or an issue with the software itself.
- Since this link directory software is free, it doesn't provide the ideal level of support necessary. I wish Duncan would put a price on this one and give it more attention. It is an EXCELLENT piece of software and better than many if not most other automated link exchange directory software programs out there. I can't say enough about it... are you listening Duncan? ;-)
If you can't figure out the install, you can hire me or another web developer to install and configure it for you.
Once this link directory system is setup on your server, you're good to go. It almost fully automates the process of maintaining your link exchange, however you still have to do the footwork to find your ideal link partners and invite them to trade with you on your own and the ability to do this is not built into the software. This software allows people to submit links for your approval, checks partners for ongoing return links and emails them and you if a link is broken. Too many features in this fine piece of software to describe here. Try it, you'll like it!
Here are a couple examples of Duncan's link directory software I've recently installed:
Click Here to Check Out Link Management Assistant
SEO Elite
This program is touted as one of the ultimate tools for building strong PR incoming links.
There is a learning curve and it is NOT for beginners. Frankly, I've always found this program a bit confusing and never actually used it much. But that is just me. Many people and webmasters swear by it.