Internet Marketing: Does Link Building Still Work?

Building links used to be an extremely popular topic. Everyone was getting as many links as possible and it seemed to be making a difference to their search engine rankings.

Then Google changed some things. So it link building still working or not?

What Is Link Building?

Building links to your web site means getting having the URL of your website visible and click able on someone else's website.

It could be a web site, a forum, a blog, a directory, book marketing site - basically any site online where links can be added.

Sounds simple enough doesn't it?

Well it was so simple that people began to develop software that would automate the process for you.

This is when things got out of hand!

Links started appearing all over the web and on sites that really had nothing to do with the destination of the link itself.

So a link for a weight loss product might appear on a computer know how site - not as an advertisement but as a valuable resource.

So Google Put An End To It Once And For All

So Google developed an update that wiped out all of the sites that were using this manipulative technique.

A lot of marketers gave up but those who had never got involved in this link building furry were obviously pleased! Now their sites had less competition!

So How Should You Build Links Now?

Google has made it clear that any links occurring in an unnatural manner will be looked upon with suspicion.

So if you purposely go and try to get links then you are making a mistake in the long run.

Natural links are OK

Book marketing your site in a few places in normal marketing activity. Tweeting your updates, updating Facebook and Google+ - these are also normal marketing activities.

However, repeatedly submitting the same URL yourself is not.

The important part of getting visibility in the search engines comes down to content. Original, quality content that provides the information that someone is looking for.

When you create content like that then people naturally start sharing it. Other sites begin to link to it because it is seen as authoritative.

I believe that the time spent worrying about building links should be invested in creating great content. Do that and the links will take care of themselves. You'll begin to see them grow with time in an effective way.

By the way did you know that you would be far more successful if you were creating and selling your own information products (books, audios, videos, etc)?

And it's quick and easy if you know how, so download my brand new free eBook and you can start Creating High Quality Products Fast

Kay Franklin

Information Marketing Action Taker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kay_Franklin

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When Should You Create Your Online Business Brand?

Should you begin your online business with a brand in mind or should you wait and then create a brand later? In this article I am going to show you the best time to create a brand for your own business.

The Risk Of Creating A Brand At The Start

Many marketers will suggest that if you can start your business and create a brand straight away then you are far better equipped to attract customers and develop customer loyalty.

We all know that having some sort of brand or brand values does help with customer loyalty. Therefore it seems to make sense that creating your brand up front will increase your customer retention from the very start.

And that is of course appealing!

However, what I have found and I know I am not the only one, is that when you first build your online business things develop and change over time.

For example, you may discover that you are attracting certain customers with specific needs that initially you hadn't considered would play such a major part in your services or products.

Customer Communication Develops Your Brand

As you begin to listen to your customers and you get a real glimpse of the issues and difficulties that you are being able to solve for them, then you have a fantastic opportunity to use that for your brand message.

Branding must state something about your business. It must send a message to your prospects about what to expect.

Therefore until you understand exactly what it is your customers value from you, then it is hit and miss as to whether you get the ideal branding specific to you.

Effective Branding Happens Along The Journey

If it takes you 6 months before you fully appreciate what your brand message is then that time is not wasted. It is better to wait and get the right message and brand that truly reflects what you and your business is about than to create one at the start and then realise later that you could have done a better job with a different slant or angle.

Businesses Aren't Instant - They Grow

Your online business will grow over time. You don't wake up one morning and everything is in place and ready to go!

You can't possibly know at the start how your business will stand out from the crowd. You should certainly have ideas and implement them but it is not until you start seeing results and getting feedback that you really know what is making the difference. Then you can use that evidence to create your brand.

By the way did you know that you could be developing a far more effective brand message if you were selling your own information products?

And it's quick and easy if you know how, so download my brand new free eBook and you can start Creating High Quality Products Fast

Kay Franklin

Information Marketing Action Taker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kay_Franklin