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For years, we've heard about how important it is to get links to your site. Getting a lot of links requires some effort. It was not so long ago that reciprocal links were the rage because they were relatively easy to obtain.

Reciprocal links are links that are exchanged between two or more websites. For instance, Site A will give Site B a link so long as Site B is giving Site A a link in return. Innovative software programs and scripts have made reciprocal linking an easy, automated process. Unfortunately, reciprocal links are thought to be devalued by search engines because of these automated programs. The ease of automated reciprocal link exchanges has resulted in sites exchanging links with hundreds of other sites that are not relevant. By way of example, you might find a automotive site exchanging links with a diet pill site. If you are reciprocal linking, you might discover that your URL is appearing on link partners' sites that are nothing but a hodgepodge of uncategorized links, with dozens and dozens of links per page. Having your site appear in these reciprocal link page collections does not necessarily add rank or value to your website.

Webmasters are discovering that one-way links are much more beneficial than reciprocal links. One-way links are a powerful way to establish your site as an authority because these types of backlinks are considered a "vote" of popularity for your site. In a way, this vote of popularity is untainted because it is not obtained with the "bribe" of a return link.

Because of their lasting value, one-way links are more difficult to obtain than traditional reciprocal links. Although it requires some perserverance and effort, obtaining one-way links is worth your time because they create solid, long-term search engine results for your site.

There are several ways to obtain one-way links. If you're willing to spend some money, you can buy permanent, one-way links from various online brokers and forums. You can build permanent one-way links through the use of pixel ads, banner ads and other forms of paid advertising.

Another great way to get one-way links to your web site is through directory submissions. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of directories which offer free submissions. The problem with directories is that they are becoming so backlogged that it can take months before your link appears. I think that directories are becoming so commonplace that one-way backlinks from them will eventually become devalued, just like reciprocal links.

Another fantastic way to get one-way links is through article submissions. Article writing can be a time-consuming process but one that will reward your site for an indefinite period of time. Best yet, article distributions are generally free. Since writing and submitting articles can become time-consuming, many online marketers grow weary of their article marketing efforts after they have submitted a couple of dozen articles.

If you want a combination of the ease of directory submissions and the long-lasting effect of articles, blog submissions are the best way to go. Blog posts do not take as long to write as articles, yet blog entries (or comments, where allowed) can be more informative and flexible than the brief descriptions you are allowed to give with directory submissions.

The general rule is that the directories will give links to your home page only and will not link to the interior pages of your web site. You can 'deep link' pages in your site through either blogs or articles.

It will take some work and effort, but if you want to give your site long lasting value, use the various techniques that are briefly discussed in this article to build an arsenal of valuable one-way links. One-way links are, in effect, the lifeline for your web page.

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