Message board seeding is the technique nobody's talking about - because they don't want you to know about it!
In this article top web designer Richard Quick uncovers the secrets of this powerful technique.
What are message boards?
Message boards are websites, or sections of websites, where people go to chat, usually about a single subject. There are message boards about everything from pop stars to politics.
The way they work is simple, people write messages, or posts, which appear online. For example, they might post a question ("How do I add a link in HTML?") or an opinion ("The new Tom Cruise movie is awesome!"). Other people can then reply.
How does this help me?
The obvious way to try to increase traffic to you website might be to post to a message board promoting your site. Don't do this - ever. People treat these kind of unsolicited adverts as spam and get very angry with people who post them. You're likely to get angry emails, abusive posts on the board or even complaints to your ISP, asking for your site to be shut down.
So what can I do?
Well, while people don't like their message boards being spammed they always welcome new members. If there's a subject you're interested in or knowledgeable about then you can join a few popular message boards and join in with the discussions. Most message boards allow their members to have a signature, with a link to your website.
How does this help me?
Message board seeding, as this technique is known, will help you in two ways. Firstly, people on the boards will come to know and trust you. Some will look at your site out of interest and next time they need a service similar to yours they may contact you. Secondly, and much more importantly, every time you post on a message board you will be creating a link to your website. This will improve your page rank and help push you further up Google.
How to link to your site
When you link to your site, make sure the link text (or anchor text) you use contains your main keywords. If you own a Chinese restaurant in Brooklyn your link text should be Chinese restaurant Brooklyn not The Golden Lotus.
Share the love
Posting 100 messages to 1 message board won't have the same effect on your Google position as posting 10 messages on 10 different message boards.
Where to post
Make sure you choose message boards that closely match your business. If you run a golf course near Miami, you should post on message boards about Golf or Miami - not on message boards about web design or orange juice.
