•Of course! Reciprocal linking is a great way to help your website’s search engine ranking, but making immediate cash from your links is a whole level up from that. •Join affiliate programs like Commission Junction and add some affiliate links to your directory. For our travel site example, you can get offers like travel accessories, rental cars and like. •Have a good mix of links to other sites and affiliate links- You do not want a directory full of affiliate links, this is a major turn-off to your visitors. As a matter of fact, you should have at least a 10 to 1 ratio of regular links vs affiliate links.

Advertise in your directory

•Since you now have a well organized directory with an excellent structure, limited to 20 links per page, and a lot of pages with good advertising space, it’s time to place some banners. •You can advertise some of those good sites that you are affiliated with and place a banner or two on every page. •Keep it neat- You should have quality space on left or right side of your directory add a Skyscraper banner to either side (only one per page though), it is well known that bigger banner more clicks on that banner you should receive. A skyscraper is usually 120 x 600 in size. Add a single banner at top center of each page as well; make it a different ad, offer something different than your skyscraper. This is most valuable banner location on any page, use it for banners. •Sell banner spots- Now that you have a well categorized directory, you can sell ad space to vendors whose products or services appeal to that particular category. You can even offer top spot on a particular page for sale or as a trade for same kind of link for your site in someone else’s directory.

Exceptions to rule

There are those sites that do not fit into any category of your site that have that HUGE Google page rank, and you want them to link with your site. Here is a tip for you to keep those sites happy and get that top rank. In addition to you’re regular links directory, create a separate smaller reciprocal links directory. This may be only 1-3 pages in size. This directory must have a direct link from your homepage (most top rank sites require that), and title it something like “Special Link Partners” or “Recommended Links”. Add only page ranks of say 6-7 or higher to this special directory. This will ensure your most important link partners that you will not be burying their link inside your link directory.

We have quite a large selection of software in our downloads directory at http://www.bullmarketer.com that can help you automate process of managing your own links directory. One program in particular is Arelis by Axandra. This software is not only VERY user friendly but offers tons of features. There is a free lite version available for download.

Derek Arnold

About the Author

Derek Arnold is the President of BullMarketer.com, a webmaster resource site offering many tools for webmasters, marketers, and designers. Also has over 18 years of experience in the marketing and advertising fields. Homepage: http://www.bullmarketer.com

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