As we continue our efforts in creating exciting, dynamic sites, we as webmasters and bloggers find ourselves looking for ways to enhance our sites and grow our visitor base. In other words, we want to make our sites better and get more people to view our websites.

The problem with not having many readers or site visitors isn’t caused by the fact that we don’t want people to read our material. Usually it is simply caused by a lack of knowledge on the subject of web design and marketing…And that is where this article comes in.

One of the most effective means of getting people to visit your website or blog is also one of the most simple: the link exchange.

A link exchange is simply an agreement between two websites wherein they mutually agree to display a link to the other site. In other words, I will link to your site if you will link to mine. Quite often you will see a section of a site with one of the following titles: link exchange, links that like us, blogrolling, blogs I read, or something like that.

Although this is one of the most simple means to get people to your site, don’t be fooled into thinking that all link exchanges are the same. There are many different factors to consider when initiating a link exchange including the following: type, position, size, and page rank.

The Type of the Link Exchange

There are two methods used to link between sites: text and banner. The most popular method of this arrangement is to simply create text links in the sidebar of a blog or website. Using this method, webmasters simply type out the name of the other website and use it to link to the site. Although this is the most popular method of link exchange, it is not the most effective.

The second and most effective method of link exchange is the banner exchange. In other words, you display my banner on your site, and I will display your banner on mine. People’s eyes have begun to build up an immunity to the text advertising on the internet. As a result, we need to become more creative in our attempts to generate visitors at our sites. We have to create links that will find their way past our users blinders and into their line of site.

The Position of the Link Exchange

At the top right of the sidebar on each page at Site Sketch 101, you will notice four banner images. Those banners are considered prime real estate for two main reasons. First, that area of the site is located ‘above the fold‘ of the web page. Above the fold is the portion of the page that is visible to the user without scrolling down the page at all. It is immediately visible upon the loading of the page. This is considered the most effective area of the website to place advertisements because it is on this portion of the page that your banners and links will get the most clicks.

The Size of the Link Exchange

The second reason for the high value of those banners at the top of this screen are their size: 125 pixels by 125 pixels. Being large graphics located above the fold of the page, it easily attracts the users eyes. The larger the banner, the greater the chance that it will get clicked.

Since the internet is filled with advertisements and text links, it becomes necessary to make your link exchange stand out from the rest of the world. The size and creativity of your banner will help you accomplish just that.

Now be careful on this point. If you make the banner too large, nobody is going to want to place it on their website as it will take away from their content. The graphic sizes that I recommend are the following (measured in pixels): 468×60 (large banner), 200×60 (small banner), 250×250 (large square), 200×200 (medium square), or 125×125 (small square). Although these are the sizes that I recommend, it is important to note that you are limited only by the possibilities of your creative mind. Experiment. Find what sizes work for you and what sizes those around you are using.

The Page Rank of the Link Exchange

Google has developed a system whereby they rank the pages in their search engine index. Their formula is based in a large part on how many links are pointing in toward a particular page. A page that has a whole bunch of links pointing at it will have a higher page rank and will display higher in Google’s search results. Understand that their formula is a lot more complicated than just the number of links, but that is a great way to begin understanding how it works.

Generally speaking, the higher the page rank, the higher the number of visitors. As a marketer, it should always be your goal to exchange links with someone who is no more than one rank below you or higher. In other words, if my page rank were a three, I should want to link with 2 or better. The higher the page rank the more effective the link.

However, as bloggers and webmasters, we should be searching for link exchanges between other sites that are closely related in content. Users who click over to your blog from a similar site are much more likely to be interested in your content than those who come from and unrelated site.

How do I ask a blogger for a link exchange?

It’s important that you don’t ask someone for a link exchange who you have never communicated with before.  If you do that, most people will view you as a spammer and will likely delete your request immediately.

Take the time to comment on their blog. Then email them simply to let them know what you appreciate about their site.  In your third contact, if they’ve been responsive toward your first two, then it may be appropriate to suggest a link exchange.

The purpose of a link exchange is to bring a positive flow of traffic and page rank to two friendly websites so don’t beg and don’t get upset if they decline the offer.  They may have reasons that you don’t know about.

I would really love to hear your thoughts and experiences about this topic. Would you consider stopping by 4 Indispensable Elements of Link Exchanges and leaving your input?

Tags: Blog Link Exchange, Commanding Influence, Link Advice, Link Exchange, Link Exchange Advice, Link Exchange Tips, Link Tips, links, Page Rank, Search engine optimization, Web-Traffic