There are 3 main types of incoming links.  Outgoing, reciprocal, and incoming.

Outgoing links are links ON your website that link to another website.  I limit these links as they take people away from your website and to someone else’s.  The only time I link off-site is when  I am linking to something newsworthy or educational.  I always make outgoing links open in a new tab or window.

Reciprocal links are when you “trade” links with another website.  It’s when you put a link on your website to their website AND they put a link on their website to your website.  These link exchanges are quite common, but they do little good for your website or for your website visitors.  I tend to stay away from reciprocal link exchanges entirely.

Incoming links for your fitness website is key.  Incoming links are when another website links TO your fitness website.  The more incoming links you have… the better.  The search engines are not yet alive so they depend on certain criteria to tell them what is a good website and what is not.  After all, Google does not want to rank a bad website in the #1 spot, right?

So how does Google, Yahoo and MSN determine a good website?  There are many ways, but one of the biggest factors is how many incoming links your website has.  An incoming link is a “vote of confidence” for the search engines.  If 300 websites give you a link… Google think to itself “Wow, 300 websites think (your website here) is awesome!  If 300 websites think so… it must be good!”

I am dumbing down the geek talk a bit     The important thing to take home is that the more incoming links you have… the better it is for your fitness website rankings.

I am getting ready to head out of the office for a little more than a week.  Some of the trip is pleasure and some of it’s business.  Before I left, I wanted to touch base with everyone and talk a bit more about design -vs- SEO.

I am amazed at the webmasters who know little to nothing about SEO (search engine optimization).  They charge a few thousand dollars or $20,000 or over $100,000 for a flashy website with nothing more than a bit of glitz and glam.  And yes, I actually know people that have spent that much on a website 

We routinely take on new clients that already have a website developed.  They’ve already dropped several grand on a sexy website, but have nothing to show for it except the pride of a flash animated header.

When clients come on board with us we talk reality.  A flashy website may look good, but does it make your business money?  Our websites are a blend of direct response marketing and SEO.  Why invest money into anything that does not enhance your marketing efforts?

I love seeing the results our clients get with a great looking website that is designed to meet their fitness business needs while increasing their authority as THE fitness expert in their local town.

Just today I had the priviledge of emailing 2 newer clients (they signed up a month ago) and letting them know that they are now #1 in both Google and Yahoo for a MORE THAN 1 keyword.

How awesome is that?  I love that part of my day.  I love the clients that come on board with my company because they “get it”.  They get that having a flashy website does little to nothing for their bottom line.  But having a direct response inspired, SEO website as the hub of their marketing efforts not only increases leads, but it saves them money.

Here’s the thing… flashy websites need to be redesigned as trends come and go.  You’ll spend more money on all of your website tweaks and redesigns than if you had 1 kick butt website that was built properly from the ground up.  The only thing that needs to get tweaked with a properly built website are the things that get added as your business grows.  Did you recently start a nutrition program?  Add it to the website!

Keep this in mind, your website is a marketing tool.  Use it as such.  Flash is great for the ego.  Direct Response and SEO are great for the bottom line.

I’m officially off for vacation now.  Take care and keep learning!