Relevant links from other websites are the foundation of any decent ranking in the search engines. Finding those links, however, can be a daunting task at first. These three strategies are the basic stuff for helping newer web sites gain one way links.

If you're not quite sure how to go about beginning to build up relevant one way links for your web site here are my three starting strategies. If you put a decent amount of effort into them and your web site approaches a decent level of quality you will see some very good results.

Writing and submitting articles for links
This one is obvious. It is also one of the very most effective ways to gain decent one way links. There are hundreds of free article directories out there. By writing articles with good, solid, useable content and submitting them to these directories it is very possible that you will find many sites using your articles and linking back to your page.

The key to this though is that you want good, useful articles. You don't want to go around submitting articles that are just ads for your product or even articles containing a ton of links to your site and affiliate links. Write about something people want to know. You can even write for pure entertainment.

Most article directories usually allow you to include a resource box and/or author bio. This is where you will add a bit about yourself and what you do along with a couple of links to your site or sites. The terms of the directory usually specify that any body using the article for their site or ezine must use the unaltered article, including bio and resource box, leaving all the links live.

The ultimate test of your articles usefulness will be measured by its spread to other sites or use in ezines. Of course this does depend alot on how many article directories you submitted to. I can usually find my articles on other sites within three days of submission. To check and see how far your articles have spread type your articles title into the Google search bar in quotation marks. You should see most of the sites using your article.

To maximize the potential of this strategy you will have to write and submit articles consistently. People will begin looking for your name in the directories and your articles and one way links will spread. Submit to as many article directories as is possible and maybe consider investing in some article submission software if you want to get really serious.

Submit to the many different web directories
There is a limitless quantity of directories that you can submit your url to for free. Large ones like DMOZ and Yahoo will get some major recognition from search engines for your site. Smaller ones are good for a free backlink and maybe a trickle of traffic. When you put it all together it adds up eventually. This strategy is usually the very start for people.

It's important to realize that most of the big directories are incredibly picky however. A listing in DMOZ, for instance, will turn Google's head and also get you in the Google directory and several other large directories and hundreds of web sites. DMOZ has seen everything though. Every listing is carefully reviewed by a human editor. If your site isn't quite finished or just isn't really all that special then you're asking for rejection by submitting the URL to DMOZ. If you're going to try to submit your site to the big directories then make sure you have all your ducks in a row.

You may be able to tell that I consider DMOZ the most important directory listing to add to your collection. DMOZ aside though, it's a good idea to make sure your web site is in good shape before submitting to anything. This would even include search engines.

Discussion boards and other online communities
If you're involved in any chatroom communities, forums, video game clans or anything of the nature make sure to use the tools provided effectively. Obviously don't spam people with your URL or affiliate links or whatever but if there is a place to add your profile then do it. If you can link to your web site in your signature then do it. If you email back and forth alot or forward all of those stupid email jokes to several hundred people add your signature to your emails with a link to your site.

This is just basic common sense. Don't spam people or act like a walking advertisement. If you're a respected member of an online community people will check out your profile and then your web site. If your signature has a link to your site then every post becomes a one way link to your web site. If the community ranks decently in the search engines this can definately be worth something. When people become aware of your web site there is always the chance of forming partnerships with like minded individuals that benefit your site and theirs.

Conclussion
Give these strategies a trial run. With time you will find out what works best for you and come up with even better ways of tracking down the all important links. I hope you found this article helpful. Good luck.