Best way to build inbound links?

[johnmoon6]

Recently I learned that there are links that are nofollow that google doesn't consider part of SEO.

I was curious to know and also to help other new users what the community thinks the best practices are in growing your inbound links.

Thank you for all the responses. I hope this link has served to help new users recently introduced to SEO and link building.

[EGOL]

Start here for general advice....

http://www.seomoz.org/pages/search_results?q=linkbuilding

The most effective advice is site specific.  If you have a lot of great content you can attract links.  If you don't have a lot of great content then you have to connive links.   The type of content and the topic area also are variables that change the linkbuilding methods.

[Mike.Goracke]

Egol is correct - content is king!

Depending on your site/business, a good way to get links or, just as good in my opinion, social mentions is to be active on social media with your great content - "Hey guys! Come check out our new article on the 10 best time saving tips on our website domain.com!"

Link building can be tough work, but keep at it.

Mike

[EGOL]

The higher the quality of content the easier the linkbuilding.

Having content that, in addition to being high quality, is of very high interest can also be important.

If you have that type of content on your site and one of your visitors shares it on facebook (or another sharing site) that can start a flood of traffic to your site.

[jesse-landry]

Does anybody have or know of any examples of a site that maybe a bit boring to the masses but has figured out a way to develop interesting content in order to boost their inbound traffic from said masses?

I guess what I'm saying is that it is easy to recommend "build interesting content" but if, for example, I am marketing a store that sells pillows and blankets how am I going to get people to share that URL on Facebook?

DISCLAIMER: I do not work for a pillow manufacturer.

[Mike.Goracke]

What about beverage koozies? That has been WAY over done. Every bar, mom and pop store, EVERY company on earth has or sells koozies.

But I dare you not to link, like, tweet, circle, etc. this site:

http://www.freakerusa.com/

BEST content I have ever read! Their blogs rock. They have wicked sweet contests. AND their emails make me laugh out loud while at work!

It is not only awesome content, but CRAZY sweet marketing.

I am not affiliated with them, but I will say the main reason I purchased from them was that their site made me laugh.

Mike

[EGOL]

I think that the methods will vary depending upon your product.

For blankets and pillows you have probably heard stories, usually about kids, that attest to their attachment to a blanket or pillow.  If you could get a nice group of those stories that would be a start.  Ask people to contribute their favorite story... if they contribute they will share it.  Offer a prize for the ten best stories that the author gives you permission to publish.  Kids stories and pet stories get shared like crazy on FB.

Google "I love my blanket" and similar searches "favorite blanket"  to start gathering ideas.

[jesse-landry]

Wow these are great suggestions. Now I wish I wouldn't have used a random product..

How about for software hosting?!

Ha!

You know the cuzie model is a great one. Unfortunately my company takes itself a tad too serious for that... Still there are ways this model can be applied I'm sure and I appreciate the helpful responses here.

Only been a member of this community for 24 hours and I'm already finding great value here. Looking forward to staying involved and learning/growing here.

[KeriMorgret]

Hi Jesse,

Welcome to SEOmoz and to Q&A. Thanks for the kind words!

I'm in the middle of something right now, but will think on this and come back. Look forward to seeing what others say as well.

[EGOL]

How about for software hosting?

I would write the Software Hosting Bible.   Kickass better than anything anybody anywhere has already done.  That would help educate noobs and bring them back to your website.  Then who will they think of for hosting.  Every page of that Bible would compete in the SERPs for relevant queries and you would have house ads on every page that lead visitors to your signup.

[jesse-landry]

I love this guy. EGOL FTW!

[jesse-landry]

Hi Keri. Thanks! Sounds good.

Tell Joanna Lord "hi" for me. She's a dear friend

[KeriMorgret]

Joanna says Hello back, she's just over a couple of desks.