Search Engine Optimization

The only one I want to mention here are the Text-Link-Ads. Google banned them from their search results, and probably has some tracking in place for advertisers that use them. This is just a guess, but I would not risk a site into which you put in time, effort and money.

I can’t say anything about black hat, since I don’t do it, but be wary here.

Buying Links – It is a Necessity  

Yep. Link buying is live, active part of the web economy. Ever since Google declared war on paid links, everyone stopped talking about it, but continued as usual. Of course there are exceptions, but links selling / buying is still active. Everybody from biggest brands to small websites does it, because it works. There’s a mutual understanding that link selling is revenue source for sites, and link buying is fuel for search engine advertisers.

There is however a chance that some really bad competition may rat you out, but if you are in a competitive space then there is no incentive for them to do so, because they are doing it as well, and you can rat them out just as easily.

Keep link buying as a quiet part of your link building strategy.

Using Your Marketing Tools to Build Up Links

If you have a good affiliate program – then it is a great tool to build links. Though affiliate links are easy to spot for Google, they still carry on value, because it shows the algorithm that your site is a source that provides revenue to other sites, therefore it must be important. In my mind it puts you one step higher in the pyramid, but that’s my theory.

Nevertheless, use affiliate program as a link building tool. It is easy to recruit sites if you have good incentive to sign up, such as good percentage of the sale and high conversion rate. It also works with the principles of the economy – I give to you and you give to me. You give an opportunity to make money, while in return you make money and get links. It’s a win for the affiliate and double win for you. Couldn’t be better.

Just monitor your affiliates well and clear out shady neighborhoods and scammers.

Good luck!!!