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Good Ways To Get Links For Your Travel Blog Now

chain linksLinks back to your travel blog are an important way to boost your site’s visibility to search engines, connect with other travel bloggers, and help your blog grow in a number of ranking systems (including Google). Many travel bloggers either neglect to actively get incoming links or forget about it after a short burst of effort.

There are a lot of ways to get good travel links for your blog that are easy and won’t take too much time.

Be Prepared With A Links Page

Plenty of travel bloggers start a short list of links in a blogroll on their sidebar which is adequate until you start doing a few link exchanges. That blogroll will get long fast making you reluctant to add more links or becoming so long it looks terrible on your site. The best thing to do is create a separate links page like this one. Nothing fancy, just a place where you have a lot of space to add links. You can always keep your blogroll for travel sites you really like or want to highlight.

Having a links page also lets other travel bloggers know that you’re open to exchanging links (which you should mention on your links page). The easiest link exchanges are the ones that come to you.

Travel Blog Exchange Collaborate Group

travel blog exchangeJoining the Travel Blog Exchange is free and something I highly recommend if you’re a travel blogger. Aside from all of it’s other benefits and great features, there is a link exchange forum thread there started by Nomadic Matt. Go through the entries there, most of which are from travel bloggers who’ve left their contact information specifically for exchanging links with other travel bloggers. Leave your own contact information and an email will be sent to the group. You’ll also get an email any time someone else posts a link exchange request.

The Travel Blog Exchange link exchange thread is a good way to build a solid number of links. Once you’re a member come and find me (and be my friend!)

Contact Other Bloggers

man typing on keyboardVisit other travel blogs and see if they have a links page and whether or not they’re interested in swapping links. Even if there not but you really like another travel blog, send an email and see if they might be open to adding a link to your site in exchange for the same.

Having said that there are a few travel blogs that your should certainly be in touch with for a link exchange.

There are so many more travel bloggers who would like to exchange links with you. If you have a travel blog and want to add your link or contact information for everyone else I encourage you to leave your details in the comments below. (Be sure to check ‘subscribe to comments’ under the comment box to be notified of any new replies.)

Write Guest Posts

While it’s great to exchange a link, a better way to get a link and potentially drive traffic to your blog is to submit good guest posts to other blogs. I accept guest posts for my travel blogs and can say from experience that many of them have generated wonderful conversations and interest. A short 1-3 line bio with a link to your travel blog will be more interesting for potential readers if it sits atop an intriguing post.

Some Other Good Ways To Get Links Now

  • Label Your Images – When you put an image on a post make sure to add a descriptive ‘alt’ tag to it. Your pictures might be used on other blogs who will (and should) link back to your travel blog as the source.
  • Start Linking Out – Both on your links page and in relevant posts link out to other travel blogs you enjoy. Be generous and most travel bloggers will be kind in return.
  • Make Quality A Priority – The better your travel blog and quality of your writing and site is the more links you’ll attract from others who want to highlight your hard work.
  • Persistence – Don’t stop developing and looking for others to exchange links with and writing guest posts. Much like a weekly posting goal, set aside an hour or two per month to write guest posts and build links.

Just Ask

I think what holds most people back from gaining links is simply making the effort to ask other travel bloggers for a link exchange. The worst that can happen is that you’ll be rejected but since link exchanges benefit both sides rejection will be the exception in most cases. Keep your effort consistent and avoid going through a single burst and forgetting all about links afterwards. Links back to your site are not only a good ways to increase your Google rankings but it can be a powerful way to develop relationships with your fellow travel bloggers and increase your site’s exposure in the travel blogging community.

[photos: Rigmarole, Neven Mrgan]

{ 35 comments… add one }
  • Stephanie October 30, 2009, 08:01

    Good tips! Definitely don’t be afraid to ask bloggers for links or guest posts (as long as you have quality work to back it up). One of the great things about the travel blog community I’ve found is how welcoming and helpful people are.

    • Anil P. October 30, 2009, 09:31

      I’m not sure about other blogging communities but yes, the travel blogging community is very friendly and people are generally helpful. Nothing wrong with asking for a link exchange especially if the other person has a links page…and almost all travel bloggers love getting good guest posts, I know I do!

  • Shannon OD October 29, 2009, 21:46

    Great tips and something that I am guilty of sometimes forgetting to faithfully keep track of! Thanks and expect and email πŸ™‚

  • Shannon OD October 29, 2009, 21:53

    You know what cracks me up – as I was reading this it struck me that I had seen this site – just realized it’s your new one Anil!! Ack! I think I need some sleep πŸ˜‰ You’re already on my links btw but I’ll send ya an email about it!

    • Anil P. October 30, 2009, 09:37

      haha, I get like that too when it gets late πŸ™‚ Just realized I don’t have you on my links pages. I’ll make sure to add them later today or tomorrow.

  • Nisha October 30, 2009, 08:37

    Great tips and I am already on my way of doing some of these things. e.g. I had created a links page a few days back and 1st name on that page was yours ! Some technical problems are to be tackled before it sees the light. πŸ˜›

    I am already subscribed to the blogs you’ve mentioned. Slowly, it’s all up. Actually, I need more than 24 hours to do certain things on regular basis. πŸ˜€

    • Anil P. October 30, 2009, 09:44

      Thank you Nisha for including me πŸ™‚ I have you on foXnoMad’s page but will be sure to add you to this site and my others.

  • Voula Nikolakopoulos October 30, 2009, 09:03

    The Tidewater is an independent family owned hotel on Cape Cod. Our blog is a good source for Cape Cod activities, festivals, events, specials or just interesting tid bits on the Cape. We’d like to link to other travel blogs or Cape Cod related blogs.

    Voula

    • Anil P. October 30, 2009, 09:48

      Hi Voula,

      Would be happy to add you. I’ll send you an email shortly.

  • Hulya P November 1, 2009, 11:03

    Great content! Very interesting information. Please add my name to your e-mail list. Thanks.

    • Anil P. November 1, 2009, 11:14

      Thanks! I’ve added you to the list, expect a confirmation email soon. You’ll just need to click it to be added to the list.

  • Dave and Deb November 1, 2009, 11:19

    Excellent tips! And I am adding travel blog advice to my links page today!

    • Anil P. November 2, 2009, 17:36

      Thank you so much, I appreciate it very much. I’ve got ThePlanetD on all of my blogs right now πŸ™‚

  • Amy @ The Q Family November 3, 2009, 10:32

    Great advice, Anil! You are amazing. I have to update and work on my link page soon. My blogroll is way too old. What’s your advice between creating a page for link or leave it on main page? My list is getting long and I’m afraid it will be too long to leave it on home page.

    • Anil P. November 3, 2009, 12:48

      I started out with a blogroll and then realized it quickly grew too long for the page. There are so many travel blogs out there. I’d recommend having a separate links page for all of the links you’ll wind up with. It’s also a good way to let people know you’re interested in exchanging links just by having it visible somewhere.

      A big difference is that a blogroll is usually appears on every page and your main page along with (perhaps some other posts) has higher Google page rank than the links page (most likely). Often advertisers and other sites/companies/blogs want to be listed on pages with higher ranks – but that’s something to worry about if you’re actively looking to trade links specifically for PR or sell text links within your blogroll. (A bigger discussion and something I’ll make sure to write about in the coming weeks.)

      Not having a long blogroll also speeds up the loading of the page. I personally like to use the blogroll to highlight a few sites but keep them short. If you want to highlight some of the new additions to your links pages from time to time it’s a nice short post and another way to highlight some other blogs. I used to do it regularly but it’s been a long while since I have.

      Hope this helps, if not let me know πŸ™‚

      I’ll also be adding you to my links pages now on all of my travel blogs.

  • diane November 11, 2009, 21:47

    This is the best information I have come across upto date on how to promote our travel section. Thank you very much.

    • Anil P. November 14, 2009, 10:46

      You’re welcome Diane. If you’re interested in exchanging links with any of my sites feel free to get in touch.

  • Anil P. April 3, 2010, 05:58

    I just came across this you all might find useful, Trail of Ants has his own travel blog list, add your link using the form on his site:

    http://www.trailofants.com/travel-blog-list

  • johnny - onestep4ward.com April 18, 2010, 18:39

    wow, good info πŸ™‚

    iv just added a links page to my blog now! anyone wanna trade?!

    • Anil P. April 19, 2010, 04:57

      Hi Johnny, I’d be happy to – I’ve got 4 blogs, will shoot you an email right now…

  • Andi August 22, 2010, 21:00

    Such great tips!!!

    • Anil P. August 23, 2010, 03:28

      Thank you Andi. Also, if you’d like to exchange with one or all of my blogs let me know – there will be 4 more relevant links for your site πŸ™‚

  • Mark September 18, 2011, 09:36

    Hi Anil. I’ve read some of your posts and I find them informative. I just started my travel blog and hopefully I can maintain a good relationship with fellow travel bloggers. Thanks!

    • Anil P. September 19, 2011, 09:50

      You’re welcome and thanks too πŸ™‚ Let me know if you have any specific questions along the way.

  • Christine | Grrrl Traveler October 8, 2011, 03:13

    Thanks for sharing all this helpful information. Your sites are sucking me in right now.
    I’d be interested in a link exchange. I blog about solo travel adventure and survival and spent last year blogging about living and traveling in Asia. I have two of your sites on my links page right now, but if you’ve more I’d be glad to add them.

  • Robert November 21, 2011, 17:38

    Some more good advice Anil.
    I would be have to exchange links with you as well.
    Please drop by and send a note via my contact page.
    Thanks
    Rob

    • Anil P. November 22, 2011, 07:41

      Are you subscribed to this comment thread? Let me know if so and I can add you to my 4 sites.

  • Cebunomads April 25, 2016, 19:42

    Starting guest blogging just yesterday and it feels good. I have yet to exchange links but it looks promising. Great tips Anil.

  • Kelly April 29, 2016, 06:54

    Just wondering, whether link exchange is effective? Most of the blogs I read about it are several years old, and I haven’t found much recently about it. I’d be interested in a link exchange, though my site is a cycle touring site (still travel related) – I’m not sure whether it will meet you requirements. My sites quite new, but I have just added a resources/ links page to it.

    • Anil Polat April 29, 2016, 08:35

      It does, especially when you’re starting out. I can exchange links with you on my sites as well if you’d like.

      Also, I looked through your site a really liked it. Are you interested in guest posting on other sites? Let me know if you might want to share a story on foxnomad, feel free to email me: http://foxnomad.com/contact

  • Steven November 30, 2020, 14:19

    I was searching on Google how to get started on building backlinks and found your article with great tips. Thanks for that! I see your post is already a few years old though, so not sure if you’re still doing the link exchange. If you are, we’d love it if you could add us to the list. I’ll create a links page too :).

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