Website traffic is the lifeblood of any great website, however, there are good ways to increase your website traffic and then there are some tactics you should avoid.  This afternoon, I got an email from a client who wanted to trade links with someone who had contacted him.  On the surface, the link exchange looked like a win-win.  However, getting involved in link farms or “bad neighborhoods” can be detrimental to your website’s success.

Website traffic should come from legitimate sources, not from websites who are engaging in blackhat techniques that often receive a slap on the wrist from Google.  Their reputation can rub off on your and result in lower Google rankings.

In a nutshell, here’s what the email said that my client received:

“I really like your site and have placed a link to your site on this page: http://www.webtech-directory.biz/Electronics-21.htm.

I’d like to trade links with you.  Please link to my website at this address:  http://www.svpcam.com/”

I warned my client that this sort of reciprocal link exchange is NOT a good idea. You see, they didn’t link back to your site from svpcam.com.  They linked back to your from a junk site that’s just filled with links.  They call it a directory.  We call it a linkfarm and you NEVER want to be associated with linkfarms.  In fact, it’s best to request that your link be removed from the link farm just so there’s no association.

I hope that helps.  Have a great evening.

Chadd