If you are a webmaster you will have no doubt heard of the term ‘backlinks’.  However, there are a few different variations, each with their advantages and disadvantages over the other types.

One thing is for sure, you need to be able to successfully build quality backlinks in order for your website to succeed.  It does help if you know which type of backlinks to target as you can often save a great deal of time as well as money if you are willing to put the research in.

Below is a list of the three most popular types of links along with their advantages, giving you a helping hand to get started.

One way backlinks

These are the most effective types of backlinks, it is when a website links to your website without you linking to theirs.  One way backlinks hold more authority opposed to any other type of links because the search engines assume that your website is useful if other people are willing to link to your website without a link in return.

You can often find many people selling one way backlinks for a set price per month/year, ensure that you research their website before you make any payment because you would hate to buy a link which has no positive effect on your own website.

Reciprocal backlinks

Reciprocal backlinks are probably the easiest to come across, basically you trade links with other sites in the same or similar niche.  There is usually no cost involved which makes them very popular amongst people who have a small budget when it comes to marketing their website.

They do not hold as much authority in the search engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN but don’t assume they are worthless.  Not only can a reciprocal link exchange boost your website performance slightly it can also generate targeted traffic.

For example if you had a website that sold or gave information about private car registration plates, contact websites that has information on cars, car parts, car accessories, mechanics or anything else related to cars and ask for a link exchange as you will both benefit from it.

Three way backlinks.

This type of link structure can provide you with quality one way backlinks if done correctly, you can contact other webmaster asking to perform three way link exchanges or simply do them yourself if you have three or more websites of your own.

With this specific type of link building you would have three sites, A, B and C.  Site A would link to site B, site B would link to site C and site C would link to site A.  Although this could be classed as reciprocal link building there is never any connection between the three websites that are trading, therefore making it appear as a one way linking strategy – giving them more weight in the search engines.

By reading this article you have enough information to go out and start building quality backlinks to your website but don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.  You can often come up with some great unique methods to gain backlinks to your website increasing its rank in the search engines.