It has become increasingly critical to establish high-quality incoming links to your website for search engine optimization efforts. Search engines, like Google and Yahoo!, place a high level of importance on link popularity in determining ranking position for a websites search engines organic ranking results. While content optimization is still very important, a volume of high-quality incoming links is now as important in determining your ranking results in Google.

There are a variety of ways to effectively build incoming links to increase your link popularity for your website. While writing valuable articles and press releases are effective, it is not always practical or popular with many small to medium sized businesses. If done within search engine guidelines, two other practical and popular methods of building high quality incoming links are:

Directory Submissions
Because of the increasing opportunities for quality directories, most require you to pick one of two options if you meet their criteria:
No fee, but requires a reciprocal link from your website to their directory
Pay a submission fee to the directory (typical range of $25 - $99 per year)
Reciprocal link arrangements
Links from other high-quality websites that are closely related to your market, products and services in exchange for you linking to them.

Examples of Directory Applications as a Website Resource
Association Members
Manufacturer Dealers and Distributors
Bank Branch Locations
Chamber of Commerce Members
City or Community Business Listings
Mortgage Brokers Agents
Club Members
Store Branch Locations
Franchise Locations or Owners
Company Department Listings
Real Estate Brokers Agents

Internet Directory or Portal Opportunity
Niche Directories are Gaining Position and Visits
As more directories are focused on various niche markets, they are capturing an increasing number of website visitors. These market niches tend to be either industry, communities of interest or geographically focused. The directory itself is the primary focus of the website, although it may also include other applications such as news, web boards, calendar, classified Ads, banner ads, surveys, polls, articles, etc.

Examples of Industry Directories
Restaurants
Physicians
Hotels
Bed and Breakfast Inns
Plumbers
Religious Organizations
Insurance
Attorneys
Accountants
Real Estate Companies
Mortgage Companies
Apartments
Boat Manufacturers
Florist

Examples of Community of Interest Directories
Health and Nutrition
Women
Camps
Home and Garden
Kids
Antiques
Golf
Cancer Treatment and News
Sports
Online Games
Shopping
Music
Asthma
Art