The first thing that you must establish is that reciprocal links are not bad. I am sure that you have run across articles and blogs that have told you that links are like �votes� for your website. This is true, and it must be understood that all links have value, Even non related links. They have less value than a related link, but still have value. Just like our roads in the United States, you can change the speed limit, put up a stop sign or a slippery when wet sign, you can even put up a red light at an intersection, but can not take the road out of the equation.

It is true that relevant links carry more weight with the search engines and the related link has more seo value. But you can still exchange links with a semi related site, gain some valuable traffic, and get some help in the search engines at the same time.

Let�s say for example that you own a furniture site and sell home furnishings and have a few internal pages that have decent Pr to them ( like a Pr4 ) that is ranking in the search engines for specific phrases like �dining room furniture� and have a little space available for a link or two on the page.

Why not take advantage of that area and find a website that is in a similar situation and is somewhat related and exchange internal links page for page. For example you could find a site that sells �dining ware� and request a link exchange from a page that already has a similar keyword in the title (or at least it should) and is also getting web traffic that might be interested in what you have. There is also an added plus to this, It will give you a link exchange with an equal Pr page, it is somewhat related, can exchange real qualified traffic and provide some deep linking to an internal page on your website.

This is a win / win situation for all parties. Both sites get great benefits and the customer has a good link right on the page that is indirectly related to what they were looking for in the first place. This could realistically generate revenue for both sites and a very satisfied customer.

The most popular way that you can get good seo links and traffic is to become an expert writer and begin an article campaign. This is a way to brand yourself because ezine publishers tend to use the same group of authors for their ezines once you get consistent with your writings. Why do you think you can search by author in an article directory? It is because people are creatures of habit and like routine. This is a powerful tool to you as an online marketer because the ezine publishers send your link to potential customers on a regular basis and the customer gets used to your name and website giving you a branding effect.
To prove this point and how powerful this method is, If you get a small cut on your finger you go to your restroom or medicine cabinet and get a __________ To put on it .

Did you say Band-aid? The fact of the matter is that you used an adhesive bandage, Band-aid is a brand name. It is just that Band-aid was put in front of you so consistently that you actually mistake the brand for the actual product.

The second part of articles is that you provided yourself with one way links that are completely relevant because you control the content.

There are many other ways to build links for web traffic and seo at the same time. All it takes is a little thought and action and soon you will reap the rewards of your efforts if you are consistant.
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Jim Corkern is an accomplished seo with hundreds of websites in the top 10 for thousands of keywords and phrases and is a Web Traffic Specialist