- Ensure your main directory categories page is linked from your main page.
It's important that search engines can find it. Having properly organized link pages will provide you with strong keyword based pages. If you have a sitemap generated, include your full directory in there as well. Not only will this benefit you, but also your link exchange partner will get the proper credit for the exchange.
- Keep each site theme on it's own page.
Group all home-based business websites on one page, all sports websites on another, all web hosting on it's own, etc?
- Keep the pages short.
It is bad practice to put 100++ links on a page. Ideally the maximum amount of reciprocal links on one page should be 20 and link to additional pages as needed.
- Modify your Meta tags
Set your Meta tags to reflect the contents of that link page
- Always link back to your main site
On each link exchange page ensure you have a keyword-based text link back to your main URL. If someone finds your website through a search engine based on a page from your directory, you will want them to visit your main page ;-) Keep your link back to your main page in a prominent place within your directory pages.
- Keep a submission form for surfers to request a link exchange
Having a reciprocal link exchange form available for surfers saves you some time in searching out true reciprocal link exchanges. When a link is submitted for inclusion in your directory. Ensure it meets the true reciprocal link principals; make every link exchange count!
- Automate as much as possible.
There are several very impressive link exchange scripts available for free on the Internet. These scripts can save you time and money while you are building your link exchange directory.
And lastly....
- Update Regularly
Make it part of your routine to exchange links on a regular basis. Whether you have time to exchange a few links a day, a week or a month, making true reciprocal link exchanges will benefit your site for years to come.
