Why would anyone link to your site? Here are 25 reasons why another site will link to yours. With real world examples from Ken McGaffin.
1) Because you pay them for a listing
Directory listings are some of the easiest to get, but remember you must read and follow their guidelines and Google's webmaster guidelines carefully. Here's an example of a listing for PatioShoppers.com that you'll find at the Skaffe directory:
Patio Shoppers on Skaffe
2) Because you're a member of a Trade Association
Join groups related to your industry and you'll soon find easy opportunities for links. As with Cabinetstore.com on the Woodworker's Website Association site:
Cabinet Store on Woodworker's Website Association
3) Because people are discussing your products
People are talking about your products, as in this question about ShelfGenie.com published on Apartment Therapy. So, set up a Google alert to tell you when people publish and respond to any questions immediately.
Shelf Genie on Apartment Therapy.com
4) Because you're a member of a local group
Local groups and associations can also be great sources of local links, as in this link to BrindleyBeach.com from the Outerbanks Chamber of Commerce.
Brindley Beach on Outerbanks Chamber of Commerce website
5) Because you make a great case study
Always take part in surveys and volunteer your opinions. Let your suppliers know you exist. Perfume company Tuccini got an editorial link on a story about Analytics firm Coremetrics.
Tuccini on Coremetrics
6) Because you belong to a specific demographic group
Whether you are a young or an over-50 entrepeneur, a work-at-home mom or a dad that runs an affiliate site, join up with like-minded people. Be part of your online community. Note that this site, YoungEntrepreneur.com, invites you to submit details of your start-up:
Sprouter on YoungEntrepeneur.com
7) Because you submit a tip
No matter what your business, you'll have tips and tricks your customers will love and link to:
Tips on the Woodworker's Journal website
8) Because you comment on a breaking news story
Keep an eye on the news. You'll be surprised how many stories you can comment on. PetsPlace.com did a great job piggybacking on the news that the Clintons' cat, Socks, passed away. They compiled a list of the 10 Oddest Presidential Pets and got links such as this one from AbeBooks as a result:
PetsPlace.com on Abe Books
9) Because you're a valuable resource
Make sure you're visible online so that writers can find you when they're compiling a list of resources. 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.
Resource list in the Telegraph
10) Because you offer a discount
We all love a discount and that's why many bloggers and journalists will write about and link to any great offers you have. Even better, if you can tie into a specific holiday like Broadmoor resort did here.
The Broadmoor on PeterGreenberg.com
11) Because you make a donation
Your charitable donations are not only good in themselves, but they can also bring tasty links as shown by Crumbs Bake Shop's and their donation to the Japan earthquake relief fund.
Crumbs Bake Shop on National Cherry Blossom Festival website
12) Because you support your industry
FabFours.com is a leading bumper manufacturer who support SEMA, the Specialist Equipment Marketing Association – their support has been rewarded with a link.
Fab Fours on SEMA
13) Because you have an unusual business
People just love crazy ideas, so if you've got one flaunt it. Barberstops.com just cries out for attention, and links like this one from CoolBusinessIdeas.com is the result:
BarberStops.com on Cool Business Ideas
14) Because you give an interview
People love to hear stories, not dull business facts. Put yourself forward as an interesting interviewee and you'll get links like Bonobos.com got here at SmallBusinessAdvocate:
Bonobos on Small Business Advocate
15) Because you're offering an internship or job
Even the internships you offer provide linkworthy content. 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 Internship:
Warby Parker on One Day One Internship
16) Because you attend an exhibition
If you attend exhibitions don't be shy. Make sure the organizers know you exist. Many such events now offer links to participating companies. NewBathNow.com attend exhibitions and events in promoting their bathroom remodeling products:
New Bath Now featured on Wellness Expo article
17) Because you buck a trend
One day it's all doom and gloom, the next there are signs of a recovery. Learn to ride the waves like Everything2go.com in this newspaper article:
Everything2Go.com on JS Online
18) Because you publish videos on your own site
Producing videos is now very inexpensive. Build your video skills and then build those links. 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:
Yeti Coolers on Spearboard.com
19) Because you publish videos on YouTube
It's great if your videos go viral, but that's the exception. Just create great stuff your customers will love. TRXTraining.com publish an intensive 12-week fitness program on YouTube. It brings them links like this one:
TRX Training on Kendall Giles
20) Because your products make great gifts
Think three months ahead. That means in November you should be thinking about what you're going to do on Valentine's Day. As this post on 101 healthy Valentine's gifts shows:
Romano's Italian Restaurant in 101 Healthy Valentine's Day Gift Ideas article
21) Because you help them make money
Help people make money and you'll have little problem getting links. 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, as it did with Estella-nyc.com:
Estella-NYC.com on Cool Mom Picks
22) Because your products are healthy
FoodShouldTasteGood.com focus on healthy foods. They were featured in this article from Epicurious Magazine on healthy foods that kids love:
Food Should Taste Good.com in Epicurious
23) Because you support a local college
It takes a bit of effort, but by approaching and helping your local college you can get some tasty links, as Appareo partners with North Dakota State University. And they got a trusted link as a result:
Appareo on North Dakota State University website
24) Because you seek help
Isn't it wonderful that you can get links just by asking people to help solve your problems? Appareo.com asked members at Marketing Profs what they thought about its mission statement and got a nice link as a result.
Appareo on Marketing Profs.com
25) Because you encourage reviews
Look for every opportunity to have your products reviewed. Sites such as Mommy Enterprises invite companies to submit their products for review. The results include links like this one:
Eleven on Mommy Enterprises
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