It’s now common knowledge among all agents and brokers with websites that legitimate links help boost your search engine rankings. But getting those links can be a long and tedious process.
And your links have to be legit. Google will actually penalize your page ranking if you’re caught using one of those “link farms” or automated link exchangers.
The good news is that there are easy, cheap and often free ways to build valuable links to your website. Here are 13 tips alone that can get you dozens of links immediately.
1. Sign up for social networking sites
Social networking sites are all the rage today. Beyond the fad, they’re useful tools for staying in touch with friends and relatives. Because their basic membership is free and allow you to provide a description about yourself, they’re ideal candidates for your first links.
You can sign up for over a dozen of these sites in just a couple of hours. Be prepared to provide some information about who you are and what you do. And don’t forget to include the link to your website.
There are literally hundreds of social networking sites available. Wikipedia has a list of the most popular at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites, including the following:
2. Sign up for professional networking sites.
Professional networking sites have proliferated along with social networks. Some are better than others, but most have no charge for their basic membership. The most popular include the following:
3. Join online e-groups.
Before the above social and professional networking sites emerged, the most popular online groups revolved around listservs. The big ones are still around and have evolved into a type of networking site as well. As soon as you can, sign up with the 4 big internet companies that continue to maintain group sites:
The great thing about them is that they’re easy to join. Once you sign up, I recommend you join the various insurance groups. But avoid posting spam. If you want to post, make sure it’s something substantial.
But in addition to joining existing groups, start some of your own. You can create multiple groups, and I recommend creating health insurance discussion groups for each of the states and metropolitan areas you serve. Then add customized descriptions with links to your site in each group. When you issue press releases or make announcements, remember to post a blurb, with links to your site, in your different groups.
4. Get listed in online directories
A variety of online directories offer free listing opportunities for businesses. Use a search engine to find local and regional directory lists of insurance providers and general businesses. Some do require that you swap links with them, which isn’t a bad idea - if you can put their link or ad in a link page separate from your home page.
Don’t overlook media-, city-, county- and state-sponsored directories either. Many newspapers and communities operate directory listings for businesses and organizations in their area. Make sure that your website is on those lists.
5. Post a free classified ad
Several sites let businesses post free classified ads. The most well-known is Craig’s List (www.CraigsList.com). Other free classified ad sites include www.BeatYourPrice.com and the eBay-owned www.Kijiji.com.
However, many of these sites will reject your ad if it’s apparent you’re just using them to drive traffic to your site. The solution is to actually sell or give away something, such as a free eBook, informative brochure or no-obligation quote. For example: “For a free eBook detailing the presidential candidates’ platforms on healthcare, go to (yourinsurancewebsite.com)”
6. Update your alumni directory listing
Many alumni directories have started to develop an online community for their alumni. It’s about time! Check your alma mater’s online alumni directory and update your listing to include a link to your broker website - and don’t overlook your high school.
7. Join cultural, arts and volunteer organizations
Most volunteer organizations now have websites or e-groups. If you’re already volunteering, see if you’re able to add your business listing to their member pages.
If you’re not involved with any group, consider volunteering for a worthwhile cause, church group or community project. Volunteering provides an even greater value than just links.
8. Get accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
In addition to adding your business to their directory, joining and getting accredited by the BBB gives you a marketing tool. You’ll be able to mention that fact on your website. It’s not going to necessarily sell your programs, but that connection will help alleviate many people’s worries about your company.
9. Join a civic or professional organization
You’re probably already in at least one insurance industry group, and most professional organizations already maintain listings of their members. Make sure your website is included.
In addition, don’t forget about civic organizations such as the Rotary International, Kiwanis and Lions Club. All of these clubs do charge membership dues, but the networking and volunteer opportunities are sometimes worth it.
10. Chamber of commerce.
Even if you’re in the middle of nowhere, there’s still at least one chamber of commerce you can join. If you live in larger communities, you may be able to join two or three chambers: your city’s, your state’s and perhaps even your local neighborhood’s chamber. In addition, certain ethnic groups also have their own chambers of commerce.
Yes, a membership fee is involved, but that fee provides more than just a link.
11. Trade links and articles with new contacts
After a few months with a chamber of commerce and a civic, professional or volunteer organization, you’ll soon be making contacts with fellow professionals and entrepreneurs.
Although they may not buy anything from you, they can still assist your marketing by swapping links or articles with you. Don’t forget that in addition to their website, they can link to you from their blogs, e-groups and online networking pages.
12. Get something back from your suppliers.
Most of your vendors and suppliers already have web pages. They also value your business. Why not ask all of them to add your link to their company websites, as well their rep’s networking pages?
It doesn’t cost them anything, but it improves their standing in your eyes. To sweeten the request, consider giving them a positive testimonial about your experience with their company.
13. Get on your clients’ websites and pages.
Just as your vendors have websites, most of your clients also have websites and personal pages on many of the networking sites. Make it a routine part of your post-closing process to ask your clients to swap links. This will be especially attractive to entrepreneurs who have websites.
You can also ask past clients for links, but make sure that they’re satisfied and trustworthy clients. If your link from their webpage is accompanied by a complaint about your service or product, that complaint could attach itself to your link.
