While SEO ranking, keywords and links are all valuable methods for a website to build its online presence, there are specific techniques that make them so efficient. One of the most popular is the provision of link bait, which is designed to entice visitors to add links to websites and specific content. In doing so, it builds popularity, relevance and ranking status on a search engine. There is no getting away from the fact that internet marketing is essential. The problem is that the marketing techniques used in past decades are completely ineffective online, and the techniques used online are very specific. It means that, even for the most experienced business people, it is necessary to avail of professional marketing and seo services to ensure the best possible results. Article marketing is one marketing strategy popularly utilised by such service providers. An article is posted with the distinct intention of referring readers to a specific site through links contained within the article content. Effectively, the content is the bait to which the site is linked. There are several effective kinds of content to which the links can be added, but here are just five. Informative Content The most logical way to keep site visitors coming back, and sharing articles with their respective networks, is to provide content that is informative and valuable. This content does not have to be news, but can be detailed or simplified explanations of complex matters, overviews of significant events, or simply well structured opinions that leave the reader more enlightened on a subject. Quick guides, lists of tips or revelations about neat tricks to make life easier, are all gold content in this respect. Ideally, the visitor should feel inspired to share what they have learned by linking to the site. Unique Content There is a huge value given to unique content on the web, mainly because reproduced content tends to indicate a laziness, a lack of genuineness and, by association, a dishonesty on the part of the site owner. Understandably, visitors are turned off by this and, as a result, search engines have clamped down on the use of reproduced content, making it necessary for site owners and bloggers to find fresh material from somewhere. However, by producing unique content, it is possible to strategically structure it so that the reader will feel compelled to use the links, and thereafter link back to the site, thereby effectively marketing the business site. Cited Content This refers to content that references its information, by linking out to source sites and articles through citations. This builds relevance, and provides a valuable bait to those cited sites to link back. So, for example, if content on bamboo furniture cites an article published on a furniture blog, the blog owner is likely to advertise the fact his site was cited, and link to the particular article. It adds significance to his own content, and as a consequence, his readers will share the link in their own networks. News Content In every sphere, there is a hunger for fresh information. Web designers want to know the new tools in the pipeline, motor enthusiasts want to know about new models, and film buffs want to know what projects are in production. To satisfy this hunger, web users will gravitate towards a news source. It is a principle that is allowing some blogs to enjoy unexpected levels of prominence, as visitors link to the news source, spread the news amongst their respective networks, and thereby increasing awareness, traffic and attaining a higher seo ranking. Videos, Illustrations and Humour It is impossible to over estimate the value of entertainment on the internet. After all, everyone is drawn quite naturally towards entertaining content, whether it is a photograph, a cartoon, a painting, a video or a written joke. Images that are emotional, curious, strange or just inspiring can attract interest and prompt people to link to it. Similarly, videos such as those available on YouTube, attract viewers and can then be linked to. And while, in internet marketing terms, this strategy is a success, those linking will only see it as sharing something that is entertaining. With businesses turning to providers of professional seo services
, the campaign efficiencies are high, which in turn increases competition. However, because the link bait technique appeals to the specific interests of web users, its success rate is high. A reader, after all, is always happy to read more, and go to a site that provides as much.


Kath Dawson writes articles for internet marketing, a highly professional and successful internet marketing company. Strategy practise in search engine optimisation for small and large clients, using proven and new techniques to increase visits and conversions. Their seo services include frequent updates to the client on progress, meetings and reports. Using techniques such as