As all web developers and search engine optimizers know, having a steady amount of quality backlinks can make all the difference in the world between your site being on top of the search rankings and languishing in obscurity on the fifth page of results.  Too many times, people go out and try to obtain backlinks in the form of quantity as opposed to looking for quality, reliable backlinks.  Luckily, there are several things you can do as a webmaster to maximize your website’s visibility and to obtain quality, relevant backlinks.  Outlined here are some of those methods, which will hopefully aid you in your quest to become the master of your search queries.

Focus on the Niche

Does your site cater to multiple audiences or provide an array of different services or information?  It may be more to your advantage to attempt to locate individual sites that deal with specific categories mentioned on your site and attempt to work out an affiliation with the other site in question for just a particular page.  One site may want to link to your news content, while another may find compatibility with a particular type of product or service that you offer.  In exchange, be prepared to offer something of similar value to the webmaster of the site from which you wish to have a backlink.  In many instances, both parties will have something to offer and definitely something to gain.

Research Keywords

In many instances, you can find sites that you wish to backlink to by exploring new keyword combinations and categories.  For example, if your site shows up on the second page under the keyword phrase “silicone supply outlet”, then finding a site on the first page of results that will agree to do a link exchange will instantly boost your PageRank and get you closer to where you need to be.  While this may not be the easiest type of backlink to get, the value in securing a link from a more popular site pays off dramatically and will help elevate your website’s standing.

Publish Articles

There are several article publication sites that will automatically generate high ranking pages on each and every keyword or search query imaginable.  A great way to get strong backlinks without going through the hassle of dealing with other webmasters is to create custom content and publish it on sites such as Ezine Articles, Squidoo and other similar places.  By leaving your website in your signature or at the bottom of the page, your site will be associated with the article and as a result, be ranked higher in search results due to its association with the premium site on which you have published the backlink.

Brainstorm

If you can come up with a few general keywords for the categories in which you would like to obtain backlinks, then Pingler’s Link Suggestion Tool may come in handy for you.  By inserting keywords and specifying where to look for them on sites, this tool can isolate and display potential sites that may be relevant to your site and therefore, optimal for link affiliation and backlinks.