Do you constantly receive emails asking to exchange links with your web site?

Most folks instantly delete them (I do too) however sometimes there's one that may need more consideration. So before you press the delete key scan the request to check if it will be beneficial to your web site.

When  to Accept Link Exchanges

Before making any decision to exchange links check the person's web site and ask yourself these questions:

• Does it have a professional design?
• How many backlinks does it currently have?
• Do they carry links to unrelated web sites?
• Do they link to pornographic or gambling sites?
• Where is there link page located?
• Does the site compliment yours?
• Can you use anchor text?

Does it have a professional design?

Don't send your visitors to a site that looks tacky. You need to relate with businesses that display a professional image.

How many backlinks does it currently have?

Google "yahoo site explorer" to check how many backlinks the site has. If it's a new one it probably won't have any. Before accepting a link exchange with a new website make sure the content compliments your own.

Do they carry links to unrelated web sites?

Links to unrelated sites means they accept visitors from anywhere. Search engines frown on this practice and may decrease your rankings thinking you are part of a link farm.

Do they link to pornographic or gambling sites?

You may be tempted to link to these sites because they get a lot of traffic however it's not the type of visitor you need as they're not interested in what you're selling. Linking to these types of sites may get yours banned from the search engines.

Where is there link page located?

Ask where your the link will be located on their website. Sometimes it's buried on a link page that contains 1000s of other links. You won't receive any new visitors because they can't  find your web site.

Does the site compliment yours?

Link exchanges should be mutually beneficial. For example if your website sells sinks and the other person's site is about granite counter tops they obviously are a good match. A customer buying a sink may wish to purchase a granite counter top (which you don't stock on your website).

Can you use anchor text?

Anchor text (hyerlinked text) carries more weight in the search engines than a standard URL (website address). Instead of relying on them to place your link on their website provide the exact html code for them to insert. Check the code has been correctly inserted when completed.

Before exchanging links ask these tough questions so you'll make a more informed decision. Quality links will direct more visitors to your online business.