Linking Strategies: Add URL.

We've focused on sites that have submission forms as these links are the easiest to request. It won't take you very long to fill it out, and everything they need from you is asked for in the form.

Some sites will require a reciprocal link. Others will give your site a more prominent placement in the category if you link back to them, but don't require it.

This early in your linking strategy, a one-way incoming link may be more valuable to you than a reciprocal link, even if the latter puts you higher in the category. Keep that in mind when you make your decision. As you build your incoming links, you want a balance of reciprocal and one way links.

Most submission forms ask you to provide a site title, and description. If it's allowed, consider using a key phrase here rather than your company name or the site's official title. Most sites will require your company/site name here, so you won't have the opportunity to use key phrases very often.

Using your "swipe file" select and copy a description that fits their length criteria, then paste it into the form. If you need to modify an existing description to fit the form, be sure and save the new description to your "swipe file".

Requested information varies between sites. Some only require your URL (http://www.domain.tld/) and pull the information from your title and description meta tags. Others require your name and email address. You may be required to establish a username and password, with an account that let's you make changes to your listing. You may also have the opprtunity to enter a list of your keywords. If a reciprocal link is required, you will have to include the URL of the page their link is on.

Once you have entered all the information, just click the submit button. (or "Add my site" link, etc.)

Some submissions will become active immediately. Most will take up to 72 hours as the site admin will actually visit your site to decide if they want to link to you. If you must go through an approval process, you should receive an email within a couple of days letting you know if your site was approved or declined.

Congratulations! You've just completed the first of many link requests.