Marketing Defined

How to generate one-way inbound links with free templates

In line with Google’s recent algorithms, webmasters who have many of those coveted one-way targeted inbound links… will not only increase Google Page Rank but will certainly rise to prominence in the SERPs.

If you’ve been scratching your head looking for a new way to build a bounty of these sacred one-way inbound links, here’s a strategy that web developers have been using with great success.

Create and give away a free template for a popular program or script!

Alright, I hear you saying, well! that’s alright for some, but I know zero to zilch about writing source code for a template. There is a simple solution ….

Outsourcing!

There are plenty of talented Uni students or new web design graduates who are looking to earn extra dollars and placing some cheap ads in the uni newspaper, or free notice-boards at local Unis and TAFEs will reach these aspiring web designers. Or search at Blogger for talented graduates in the Indian subcontinent, who are happy to take on the work.

Another commonly used avenue is posting requirements for a script at web sites like Elance.com - this will get you a flurry of replies from software and website designers.

A word of caution — don’t always be in a hurry to go for the cheapest quote.  The old Chinese adage  cheap things no good, good things no cheap… certainly comes into play here. Ask to see some examples of their work, and check some of the references they provide.

Just remember that you must make it an essential condition for using your free script or template… that a hyperlink to your website is maintained at all times at the bottom of the home page. It will not be long before a few hundred quality inbound links are pointing your way.

Here are three in-demand programs to get you going.

1. PHP Link Directory - also referred to as phpLD.   A clever webmaster has put together a one stop resource for free PHP Link Directory templates, from where you can glean some ideas for a new template. You’ll notice that most of the free templates mentioned there, already show an average of 650 downloads per template.You reach a wider audience by designing the template for all versions of the PHP Link Directory. Once your template is completed, submit it to the phpLD free Templates website and do a Google search for similar places to submit free templates to.
2. My Space - MSNs social networking blockbuster.  Up until now, I haven’t used the huge marketing and networking possibilities offered through My Space, but certainly have it down on a list of things to do in the very near future.My Space crazed teens are constantly on the search for a groovy template with which to stamp their identity on this new social networking craze.  A website with a few original My Space templates, carefully designed to target the teen market, will be a great generator of inbound links - AND - what better place to start marketing these templates than at My Space.
3. Free Word Press themes are usually available for download from Themes.Wordpress.net/ and if you know some php, it should not be too difficult to design a clean fluid theme.  Stick to clean, professional lines using colours like red, grey, and black… always opting for a white background. Here again outsourcing, or working with a student will help, and again bring in targeted back links to increase website traffic and search engine rankings.  Alternatively, offer to sponsor one of the free themes you see in exchange for a monthly fee…  the idea being that you have a live link back to your site on each theme for a negotiable fee from around $25.

It goes without saying that Wordpress is the first choice in blogging platforms for a good majority of professional bloggers….AND…

….the PhpLinkDirectory mentioned above is a popular, user-friendly script that I am happy to recommend, and costs a small $25 to buy as long as a link back to the developer is maintained on the home page of the Links Directory.