1. Is your web site set up to accept link exchanges? Make sure you have a link page ready. Sometimes you can make partners very happy by organizing your link page in specific categories relating to your website topic. We have done this on our link page at www.boconline.com/bizres.htm.

2. Is your website above average in design and content? The better your web site looks, the greater your chances of receiving responses to your link exchange requests. Would you want your web site to link to several low quality, poorly designed sites?

3. How should I write my link exchange message? You can start your message off by introducing yourself and your web site. For example, "Hello. My name is Thomas and I would like to bring our Web site, BOC Online, to your attention for a possible link exchange."

The second part of your message might include a small description of your website and possible 1 or 2 awards it has won. For example, "Our site, a Good People's Choice Award winner from YouOnline.net, offers a variety of resources for those looking to start thier own small or home business. It is unique in that it features low start-up ($100 - $10,000) business ideas, free online affiliate programs (like Amazon.com), and a large categorized classifieds database for serious SOHO entrepreneurs. These are just a few of the items we offer for the SOHO community."

The third portion of your message should include the link exchange request, including the page(s) you have already linked your partners site from and the page(s) you would like your site to be linked from. An example of this might be, "I believe our site would be a great addition to your business links page and would very much like to work out a link exchange. I have already placed a link to (their site) from our Business Resources page at http://www.boconline.com/bizres.htm and Business Links page at http://www.boconline.com/bizlink.htm .

The last and final portion of your message should be your summary and a request for a response. For example, "Please have a look at our site and consider our proposal. Your response to this message would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time." This might be followed by your name and company information.

Following these tips should help you improve the amount of replies you receive to your link exchange requests. You will need to search and find web sites that are topical to yours. Take a look at them and find opportunities for link exchanges that will benefit the both of you. If this is not the obvious case, you can always work out a two for one deal, or a banner ad deal. For example, you place a link on 2 pages for 1 link on theirs. Or, you post their banner ad in exchange for a link on their page. Anyway you do it, it will eventually add up and make a difference in the number of visitors your website receives.

The article was written by Thomas Harris, owner of Business Opportunities Classifieds Online at www.boconline.com, BOC Online is a Web resource for small & home business start-up information.