The more your website is linked on other relevant, credible, popular websites, the better your search engine results will be. When you swap links with other service providers in your area -- even other agents -- search engines consider your website to be more authoritative and your site is likely to be listed higher on search results. That's what a "link exchange" is -- someone else agrees to link to your site from theirs, you agree to link to their website from yours. You both get a leg up in search results.

Note that search engines are looking for links on other relevant sites. Getting your agent site linked from your sister-in-law's scrapbooking webpage probably can't hurt, but just as likely won't help. If you have a real estate website, search engines are going to evaluate it based on whether other real estate related websites link to it. And note that search engines are looking for links on other credible and popular sites. Don't be tempted to submit your link to automatic "link farms"! Search engines can spot inbound links derived from "link farms" a mile away and they will do your ranking more harm than good.

That's why you need a human being to manage your link exhange program. We identify likely link exchange partners in your area, evaluate their sites, contact them, work out a deal and make sure they follow through. All you do is post (or let us post) the reciprocal link on your website.

But why would I want to link to a competitor's site from mine? You're both after better search engine results, and it's a win-win. You shouldn't fear a simple text link to another agent's site any more than you fear having your listing alongside hers on Realtor.com. But keep in mind that links from local title company sites, appraisers' sites, notaries' sites, mortgage broker sites, loan officer sites, home improvement contractors' sites, and many more are all great ways to boost your search results without potentially touting a competitor.

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