Permanent Links
In general, free links are longer lasting than paid links. This is because they are not limited by time constraints, nor shut off when you fail to continue to pay.
There are several types of free links, and each has more or less value. A good low cost marketing campaign will make use of a variety of them.
- Reciprocal Links - Usually these are permanent if you link to reputable businesses, and people whom you have a good rapport with ahead of time.
- One Way Links, given for your site quality. When people spontaneously link to your site, they do so because they loved it. Usually they won't pull it down unless it is a spotlight link.
- Paid Permanent Links - There are a few of these out there, and if you can get them, do! Sometimes new site owners will offer these as a limited time way of getting some advertising on their site. Later on, they'll raise their prices, but you'll still have your link, no matter how large their site grows. What a deal. $10-$20 is reasonable for a new site. You'll pay much more for a site with higher traffic.
- Permanent Paid Text Links - A few companies offer permanent text link placement in bulk lots of 10 links or so. Expect to pay $150 or more for 10.
- Article Directory Links - When you submit an article to an article directory, that link is basically permanent. Your article may also be reprinted across the net, and some sites will leave it up permanently, others will rotate it through.
- Directory Links - These are sometimes free, sometimes paid. Free ones are almost always permanent, paid ones may either be permanent or temporary so check the terms.
- Search Engine Links - Once you register, your site will stay in the search engines forever, unless it is banned.
- Viral Marketing - Usually viral marketing grows, peaks, and then dwindles if the item is one that is time sensitive. If it is not, it can continue to provide you with benefits long after it peaks or plateaus.
Non-Permanent Links come in several forms also:
- Pay Per Click - Stop paying, and the link goes away.
- Paid Top Ten Listings - Charged as a flat rate instead of by the click, but when you stop paying, the links drop back down.
- Banner Ads - By the month, or by the Year, or sometimes by the impression, they help you only as long as the money lasts.
- Forum Posts - These usually fade out. Often there are aging limits on forum posts. They do help you promote, but they are not always permanent.
When you focus on permanent strategies over temporary ones, it can be a benefit to you if you are on a limited budget. Make your efforts count for as much as possible.
Even if your permanent links bring you just a tiny trickle of traffic, get a few more permanent links, and that trickle will build. Also, that trickle goes on and on, and whatever else you do builds on top of it. The lifetime value of permanent links is very powerful.
Written by Laura Wheeler
Laura is an experienced web designer who specializes in cost containment for startups. She owns and operates more than 25 of her own websites, and has clients including small non-profits, municipalities, and home businesses. http://www.skinnyshoestring.com/