Link building is a vital ingredient when it comes to SEO and search engine ranking. Link building can be a difficult overwhelming task; however it is a necessary one if you plan on ranking well on search engines. Every SEO will tell you that Link Building and obtaining quality backlinks is a very important facet of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Link building is basically the process of getting other websites to link to your website.

If you’re seeking fresh ways to build quality links, here is a list of link building strategies to mull over:

• Build and host useful tools (Others May Link To This)
• Offer testimonials on complimentary services
• Widgets (and submit them to directories)
• Awards (badge) Like a “Verified SEO Guru Badge”
• Contest (badge)
• Cross link web sites that you own (Try one way links.)
• Write reviews (Make them interesting and sometimes negative reviews)
• Promote content on social news sites
• Article Distribution (Try EzineArticles.com)
• Submit Blog & RSS Feed to Directories (Google Blog Directories)
• Directory Submissions (Choose High PageRank Directories)
• Ads on search friendly sites (Text Link Ads)
• Sponsor newsletters archived to the web
• Job listings
• Forum Signatures (See DoFollow Forum List)
• Classified Ads (American-classifieds.com)
• Publish comprehensive resource lists (Like This One)
• Post an ebook or substantial whitepaper
• Exchange links with marketing and business partners, clients
• Post surveys
• Write guest posts on others blogs
• Contribute articles to online publications
• Optimize press releases (PRWeb.com)
• Comment on industry blogs (SeoFriendly.com)
• Sponsor events
• Social bookmark your worthy content (Digg)
• Speak at events and offer your PPT deck with links embedded
• Donate where a link of donors is published
• Interview industry pundits (don’t be scared to ask pros for interviews)
• Transcribe video interviews to text as separate posts (Great idea!)
• Apply for industry awards, web site & blog awards
• Ensure industry groups you’re involved with link to you
• Create a wiki and ask others to contribute
• Create micro sites for causes, events, specific purposes
• Leverage your affiliate program
• Be a resource on Q/A web sites like Yahoo Answers (indirect)
• Solicit links directly
• Always Provide “link to us” content on blog and/or web site
• Leverage publicity and media for links
• Digital submissions: images, audio, video (youtube?)
• Social profile optimization (Linkedin.com)