5 Steps to Increase your Google Page Rank

A referred sale is almost a sure thing, but if the person doesn't know you personally, chances are they'll Google your name to research you a little. Whether they search by your name or by a key word search, do you know if you'll turn up on the first page of their search or not at all?

Here are a few easy ways to improve your Google ranking through backlinks.

1. FORUMS.  Post something relevant to a forum and be sure to include a signature with a link to your website or to a promotion. Knowledge on any topic is useful and may cause another reader to click on your info, but if the topic is relevant to your job or service, it's a double whammy and you might pick up a new client in the process.
2. NEWSLETTERS.  Compile your list of customers and send them irregular information about your services. If you send it every Tuesday, it will become stale - rather send it randomly so it's fresh & unexpected - people will actually take the time to read it through. If you create a lot of links in your newsletter, that will increase your Google visibility.
3. ARTICLES.  Create and publish articles including your signature in each one. There are lots of websites out there looking for free content that will increase your traffic. Some will even pay for you to provide expert content.
4. CROSS-LINKING.  Try to get related websites to link back to you.  This should be to websites that are in the same or related fields. (eg. Realtor = Mortgage Broker, Tanning Salon = Vacation (Travel agent), Personal Trainer = Massage, etc) Email the person who manages the website and ask if they'll do a link exchange. Remember this doesn't need to be within your same geographical area - think creatively!
5. LINK YOURSELF.  We all typically have a FaceBook Fan Page, Blog, Website, Twitter, and LinkedIn account, and maybe more. If you have 5 online points of contact, make sure that each one contains links to the other 4 sites.

Effective backlinks = higher Google pagerank = more Google results. Better results make you look like an expert in your field and will almost certainly solidify that sale!