The other day, I received a very courteous email from a webmaster looking to increase the rankings of his web pages. I have spent the last few days contemplating his request.

First, what are Link Exchanges & Link Farms?

Link farming is the process of exchanging reciprocal links with web sites in order to increase search engine optimization. The sole purpose of any link farm is to get search engine rankings. They typically have web pages that consists of 50, 100 or even more unrelated links on it.

Link Exchanges (also known as a banner exchanges) are a confederation of web sites that operates similarly to a web ring. It is a  method of exchanging links on a large scale (usually automated) specifically for the purpose of improving search engine rankings, not user-experience.

It used to be common practice to exchange your links like this. Typically exchanges & farms involve either manually or automatically setting up pages or directories of links to other sites and partners that link back to your site. These types of spam-filled pages or directories often have no value to the visitor.

I had a client, several years ago, who had links from anyone who asked to be linked to their site. When I went through all the links I was surprised to find dead links, links that lead down bunny trails of pop up ads, & even pornographic pages. When we found this, we immediately took the page down. Why would anyone want to read a page of links?

Personally, I practice what I like to call, “Organic Exchanges.” An organic exchange is posting links on your web site that pertains to your web site. For instance, I surf the net often, looking at tutorials, or gaining advice on subjects just like this that I am writing about. I have blogs I love to read daily… So, what I do is put a link on my web site or my Favorite Web sites over on the sidebar so that you too can enjoy some of my favs. There are no strings attached. If I list you, you don’t have to list me.

You say I’m shooting my page ranks down? No, I don’t think so. You see, search engines like my fav, Google are changing every day. They are smart to our ways of trying to get high page rankings. So, I want them to see that all my external, as well as internal links go hand in hand with my business.

Keywords are very important to have for all web pages. Search engines put a high value on external links that link to pages that have keywords that are pertinent to the web site. So, if you do choose to put my web site URL on your web site, make sure you list me under web design, web hosting, or something along those lines. That way I get an honest page rank.

My point is this; exchange links organically, naturally. Make sure they are meaningful to your business. Don’t go for those automated exchanges or farms that don’t know you. They don’t know your business. All they will do is get you removed from Google. That is not a good thing.

The main reason for avoiding link exchanges, is because search engines like Google consider it a manipulative technique for gaining page ranks. Google has been known to remove sites for trying to artificially inflate their rankings. Google’s Webmaster Guidelines state that spam link exchange tactics are deceptive or manipulative behavior. You can read more here.

So, don’t write me & ask me to post a link to your web site. I won’t do it unless I actually use your site and find it useful. Don’t send me to your web page where you’ve listed my web site in amongst other links that you’ve farmed. It isn’t help either of us!

– More Later

Technorati Tags: Marketing, Search Engines, Tips & Tricks!, Web Design, Web Pages

What’s the importance of having a website anyway?

I have been a Web Designer for a number of years. I have contemplated how I would explain the importance of a website for businesses that I encounter everyday. I have had numerous comments that I have voiced, but never have I written it down to read. Here is my chance.

We are in a technical age now. Everyone is using computers, cell phones, hand held devices… they are talking Bluetooth this and IR that. Have you ever heard this one, “Hey beam me your stats!” …Beam my what? Where do I look like I’m from, Starship Enterprise?

It’s true; I wear a Bluetooth in my ear and a cell phone on my hip every waking moment. I have a laptop and a desktop at my disposal. I consider myself web savvy. If I need to find a business, I jump on the web to find them. If I am driving and need a phone number, address, or directions, I use my cell phone to call up my best friend, who in turn does a lookup on her computer. Lately, I have called Google’s new 800-GOOG-411 which connects me automatically.

It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, everyone asks that pertinent question, “Do you have a website?” or “How about an Email address?” It is a sad moment when you hear the reverberating, “No.”

I live near a University town and everyone is ‘wired’ up here. Students look for apartments or homes that are ‘wired’ for Internet. When I first moved here, I moved from a very large city to a very tiny city. I call it “Podunk, Idaho.” I remember the first few days we moved up here, I would search the Internet for restaurants that would deliver to my home. Just local restaurants; it didn’t matter that I wasn’t able to order online. All I wanted was a menu to see my choices, or the possibility of finding discount coupons just for using the Internet.

No business is too small for a website. Do you hand out business cards? How important are business cards to your business? Do you have an advertisement in the Yellow Pages? I remember a time in my childhood hearing my father working out the details of advertising his business in the Yellow Pages. The bigger the Ad, the more business he had. Having a website is just as important as these are, if not more.

The Internet is a very useful advertising and marketing tool. It is purported that Internet marketing is now a major, multi-billion dollar industry. People are becoming more confident in using the Internet for all their shopping needs. I do! Living in “Podunk, Idaho” driving to a city that has a large department store or even a grocery store becomes time consuming. Buying gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, and Valentine’s Day couldn’t be easier!

An Internet presence, if only to say who you are, has become a necessary means to good advertising.

Ok, so now you want a website, what do you need?

The first thing you need to do is find yourself a web designer who can sit down with you and get a feel for you and your business.

Your website must:

• Describe your business.
• Describe your services or products.
• You NEED contact information available. (Web forms are useful tools for gathering information.)
• If you’re a performing artist, you need a Media Kit, also known as a Press Kit.
• Do you teach? Describe your programs or workshops

If you offer a service, it is important to elaborate on the service or services that you offer. For instance, are you a public speaker? Use your website as a forum to speak out to your clients. Are you an artist? Show some examples of what you have done in the past. Sell your work using a small store setting, displaying your products for all to see.

Use your website like a canvas or a billboard. Make it interesting and exciting to visit.

Once your Website is functional, remember to update.

One very important thing to remember is to keep you website fresh! You need to add new information and remove old information, regularly. Make sure that people want to come back to your website. Keep your pages clean and easy to navigate. Add features to your website like newsletters, calendars, and photo albums for starters. Offer specials on your products from time to time. Add reviews from previous customers whether they are in-house or through email. Remember, your website is a work in progress!

Welcome to the 21st Century!

More Later!

Heidi

Technorati Tags: Advertising, Marketing, Web Design