It has become increasingly critical to establish high-quality incoming links to your website for search engine optimization efforts. Search engines, like Google and Yahoo!, place a high level of importance on link popularity in determining ranking position for a website’s search engine’s organic ranking results. While content optimization is still very important, a volume of high-quality incoming links is now as important in determining your ranking results in Google. There are a variety of ways to effectively build incoming links to increase your link popularity for your website. While writing valuable articles and press releases are effective, it is not always practical or popular with many small to medium sized businesses. If done within search engine guidelines, two other practical and popular methods of building high quality incoming links are: Directory Submissions Because of the increasing opportunities for quality directories, most require you to pick one of two options if you meet their criteria: • No fee, but requires a reciprocal link from your website to their directory • Pay a submission fee to the directory (typical range of $25 – $99 per year) Reciprocal link arrangements Links from other high-quality websites that are closely related to your market, products and services in exchange for you linking to them. Examples of Directory Applications as a Website Resource • Association Members • Manufacturer Dealers and Distributors • Bank Branch Locations • Chamber of Commerce Members • City or Community Business Listings • Mortgage Broker’s Agents • Club Members • Store Branch Locations • Franchise Locations or Owners • Company Department Listings • Real Estate Broker’s Agents Internet Directory or Portal Opportunity Niche Directories are Gaining Position and Visits As more directories are focused on various niche markets, they are capturing an increasing number of website visitors. These market niches tend to be either industry, communities of interest or geographically focused. The directory itself is the primary focus of the website, although it may also include other applications such as news, web boards, calendar, classified Ads, banner ads, surveys, polls, articles, etc. Examples of Industry Directories • Restaurants • Physicians • Hotels • Bed and Breakfast Inns • Plumbers • Religious Organizations • Insurance • Attorneys • Accountants • Real Estate Companies • Mortgage Companies • Apartments • Boat Manufacturers • Florist Examples of Community of Interest Directories • Health and Nutrition • Women • Camps • Home and Garden • Kids • Antiques • Golf • Cancer Treatment and News • Sports • Online Games • Shopping • Music • Asthma • Art