|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |
|
Link Text: Strategy for Success (& Self Respect)
Written by: Jonathan CookArticle Overview: Getting backlinks is crucial to SEO success. However, many businesses forget, or don't understand, the importance of the actual link text. Find out what your strategy should be - what you should do, what you should avoid and why. It could help your business a lot.
![]() |
Free Download - Why Mass Link Submissions are Dangerous to Your SEO Efforts By Jonathan Cook |
Link Text: Strategy for Success (& Self Respect)
Does this sound familiar? ‘How say it is just as important as what you say’. It’s one of those clichés that tends to be said by people you have to listen to, but you don’t respect. You know the kind – they say things like ‘Let’s all start thinking outside the box’ and other deep thoughts. But, in this case, they’re right, because we’re talking about links.
Specifically, we’re talking about link text. ‘How you say it’ means what keywords you use in the link text when you’re acquiring backlinks to your site. Often, but now always, you can pick the words used as your link text. That’s something you need to use to your advantage. Here are some things to know:
1. You want to hit keywords in your link text. Don’t just use your business name or the URL of your site. You’re wasting opportunities to help yourself and your business. It’s okay to use your name or URL if you must, or every so often. But using it most or all the time is shooting yourself in the foot.
2. Target more than one keyword phrase. You probably have a few keywords you’re targeting that fit your business. If you don’t, you should. As the saying goes, don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket. In your link text, make sure you use those different keywords. Mix it up.
Not only will that help by helping you with ranking with different keyphrases, it can also prevent a spamming penalty. If Gooogle sees the same keyphrase in every backlink you have, they can take that as ‘unnatural’ SEO (ie spamming) and use it against you. Spare yourself some anger and tears. Find those different keyphrases and use them.
3. In spite of what we say in #2, you want to use your top, or main, keyphrases more than others. Just as your site’s home page targets that most important keyphrase(s), you’ll want to concentrate on them in your link text as well. Use those keyphrases in a higher percentage of your acquired links.
4. Keep in mind that the links should read logically. Stuffing keywords to the point where the link text is pure gibberish should be a red flag. If it doesn’t read well, you probably need to revise and rewrite. You never know if a human will come across your link, in addition to the search engine spiders. It isn’t good practice to look unprofessional or like you’re just another spammer.
Keep in mind that these are long-range strategies for search engine success. Short term, quick fix advocates would probably disagree and tell you to stuff, stuff, stuff those keywords. Ultimately you make the call on your links and your link text. Just remember that the way you conduct yourself online is a reflection of you and it sets patterns in your business behavior. Just a thought.
Article Tags: link text
|
About the Author: Jonathan Cook RSS for Jonathan's articles - Visit Jonathan's website Jon lives and works in Waikiki/Honolulu, Hawaii, providing Internet/Search Marketing and Copywriting services to clients. He relaxes by walking his dog to the beach and swimming with his wife. Click here to visit Jonathan's website Hiring An SEO Expert |
Related Forum Posts
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Convening a focus group for a niche product
When Living the Dream isn't enough!
3 Key Factors For Raising Capital
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.



