Once you've agreed a reciprocal link, enter URL of both your link page and theirs into database, and then Arelis will check your links whenever you tell it to. It will check incoming and outgoing links, so you'll quickly see if one of links on your site is broken, or if link-back to your site no longer works.

The paid versions allow you to email and to create link pages direct from program, as well as creating databases for more than one site.

You can try Arelis at no charge - help file will soon have you finding links for your site, though you'll need to use your email program to contact webmasters.

Here's link: http://www.firstwebbuilder.co.uk/info/arelis.html

Linking etiquette

If you want to exchange links, it's courtesy to add their link to your site first. That way they know you're serious.

Make sure your link page can be accessed from all pages of your site, and that link isn't hidden in tiny print at bottom of page. Include it in your main navigation if possible.

You may offer special status to sites that link back - a logo or icon by their name, or being listed at top of your link page.

Don't overload your link pages with graphics. If you use an individual button for every link, your page will load much more slowly.

Be polite when you email webmasters - it's easy to forget that they're people just like you! Don't be offended if they don't want to link back. If link is useful (and it should be - or why ask for an exchange?) then I leave it on my site anyway.

When you send out a reciprocal link request, include exact URL where their link can be found - don't expect them to search your link pages until they find their link.

When emailing webmasters, give details of your site title, URL, and a brief description - no more than two lines. Make it meaningful. Avoid descriptions like "The World's Greatest Web Site". This doesn't tell anything about your site content - just that webmaster has a big head!

Happy linking!