Forum signatures - the benefits

Forums signatures are an easy way to get links to your website, from other topic related websites. Forum signatures have been used for some time as a source of links. You should plan on getting some as part of an SEO campaign.

The value

Forum signatures are not the most valueable type of links. Infact they are one of the least valuable. However, when planning and implementing an SEO campaign, you should incorporate as many link sources as possible. Any forum signature links you get to your website will count. The more topic related a website is to your own, the better the value of the link.

Imagine you have a website about iPods. The most valueable backlink you could gain for your website is from Apple's iPod main page. The chances of getting such a backlink are obviously nil. However, a few forum signature links from Apple's iPod forums will defaintely help. Links from other iPod related forums will also help. When considering links, search engines such as Google consider the anchor text of the link, and the text around the link. Obviously in our iPod example, most of the text is relevant. Also, people who are reading the forum may read your signature, and actually follow the link. This will generate small numbers of traffic for your website, but may result in them linking to your site also. Never underestimate the SEO mushroon effect.

The effort

It is generally straight forward to gain forum signature links:

1. Choose a forum, or foum topic, that is related to your website topic
2. Sign up, and add a link to your website in your signature. Make the anchor text of the link easy to understand and clear to read for users of the forum. Dont just stuff your keywords in the text
3. Preview you signature and check the link works correctly
4. Now browse the forums. Find any threads that you can make worthwhile contributions too. Don't post random nonsense, just to get your link present. The moderators will delete your posts, and will probably sus your intentions

As I guide, I suggest making posts to 10 different forum topics, on each website. This should give you a good chance of getting good benefit from the links.

Other sources of links

As well as using forum signatures to gain links to your website also consider web directories, article directories and reciprocal linking. Our how to gain backlinks article has all you need to know.