Six points you got to keep in mind before exchanging links

Link exchanges have become quite famous over the years and have
become synonymous with search engine optimization. But not many
of us actually understand the truth behind link exchanges and
how they actually work. Given below are six important points
that you got to keep in mind while exchanging links.

Important Points to keep in mind while exchanging links

1.) Check the page rank of the webpage on which your link is
placed

Page rank is synonymous with individual web-pages and do not
apply to the entire website. So make sure that your links are
placed on web-pages having a good page rank. Placing links on a
web-page that has a page rank of ‘0’ and a homepage rank of ‘5’
is no good.

2.) Check the number of links present on the webpage

Placing your links on web-pages that have comparatively lesser
link-backs will fetch more value to your website than placing
links on a webpage swarmed with links. 

3.) Add proper anchor Text to your link

Merely placing the link on other websites does not give you much
returns. The best way to do this is by using keywords in terms
of anchor texts. For instance, instead of www.buytemplates.net
write ‘professional templates’ as the anchor text and provide a
link to it.

4.) Place your links in Bold or Italics

A link placed in bold or italics is likely to get you more page
rank than a link with a normal text. Most search engines place
more weight-age to links in bold or italics.

5.) Check the position of your link on the webpage

Links placed on the top of a web page carries more value and
will help your website get more page rank than the one placed at
the bottom of the page.

6.) Find out if the link back partner is a link farm

Link farms are considered as bad neighborhoods and are despised
by search engines. A link back to a link farm is as good as
asking for trouble. Always make sure that the website you are
linking back to is credible. 

Link exchange program carried out properly can increase your
page rank in a major way but at the same time a careless program
can lead you into trouble with your website being penalized by
search engines.