With an impressive 83% of UK internet users saying they go online to find information about goods and services (eMarketer 2009), it is clear that search marketing remains a significant method of promoting your business online. Ranking well in search results for the right keywords will attract new customers.

The major search engines prioritise their search results based on a legion of different parameters but one of the most important is the number and quality of inbound links. Inbound links are links placed on other websites that lead a visitor to your site. So what can you do to attract more inbound links?

Increase the Volume and Quality of Your Website Traffic
Growing the number of inbound links to your website not only improves your standing with the search engines, it will also win you new traffic from the referring website and, as the word spreads, will help build your reputation.

However, it's not purely a numbers game, not all inbound links are created equal. One link from an authoritative website can be worth hundreds of links from less respected sites. But before you can attract genuine inbound links from interested webmasters, your website needs to be ready.

Here are 7 essential tips for making your website more likeable... and linkable.

1. Look the Part
Investing in a professionally designed website is money well spent. No one wants to link to an ugly site, even if the content is good.

2. Be Creative with Your Content
Give some thought as to what type of content attracts your attention and what gets you to read further, the same will likely be true with your customers. Here are some ideas:

• Illustrate your message by sharing a case study or a personal experience
• Be controversial
• Create lists that recommend best practice techniques or expose myths
• Identify hot topics to write about by checking sites like Digg or StumbleUpon
• Publish tutorials
• Stay abreast of industry and mainstream news for opportunities to demonstrate your expertise
• Publish reviews on new products

Some content clearly attracts attention more than others – give some thought to how you can stand out from the crowd.

3. Keep it Fresh
Search engines, like human viewers, will only come back to your website on a regular basis if there is something new to see, and link to.

4. Engage the Senses
The web is no longer a static format – so vary your content delivery. Consider using animation, online presentations, webinars, videos or podcasts (to name a few) in order to make your content more dynamic, memorable and linkable.

5. Be Helpful
Everyone likes to recommend a helpful resource – especially if it is free. Offer a complimentary white paper, podcast or video tutorial that is designed to meet your customers' needs and resolve their biggest challenges.

6. Everyone Needs a Reminder
Not everyone will be able to review your new articles as soon as they are published, a regular email newsletter gives your subscribers additional opportunities to check out, and link to your latest content.

7. Extend Your Web Presence
Consider setting up a Facebook Page or engaging with customers via Twitter. Expanding your web presence with social networking websites will help demonstrate your expertise and extend additional opportunities for increasing your link popularity.

In conclusion, inbound links are an important part of creating traffic to your website, sites with good inbound links are deemed popular and recommended by the search engines, having made an obvious impact on the web community. If you would like help with your search marketing activities, contact us