Links to sub-pages of a website, or deep links, as they known provide significant benefits in website optimisation - improved value of specific pages, improved value of website as a whole, they take customers to the most relevant page and increased conversion rates. But where do you obtain these deep links? Here are some options.

Own Websites: If you have several websites then it's acceptable to link them all together and as you control the sites, can point the links to which ever page you wish, making this a good place to start for deep links. Care must be taken not to 'excessively' link the sites, particularly if they are on the same server as this is frowned upon by the search engines. As with all link building strategies, there isn't a clear definition of 'excessive' so gradual building of links may be the way forward.

Blogs: Writing a blog about your business and/or industry and link to relevant pages from specific articles in a similar way to the other sites in your control.

Directories: As ever, directories are an excellent source for links, particularly if you can obtain links from niche directories with themes relating to your site. Of course, the majority of directories only accept submissions for the top level page. Read the submission guidelines and if sub-pages are accepted then submit accordingly. If not, you've found another link source anyway.

Forum signatures: Most forums allow a link or two in the signature box which shows each time you post a thread. Take this opportunity to link to a sub-page as well as the homepage.

Text link advertising: There are several sites that provide such services, including Linkworth and Text Link Ads. Text link advertising is effectively buying or renting links from another site to improve link popularity. The advantages are that you can choose relevant websites from which to obtain links, keyword rich anchor text and which pages to link from and to. On the downside it can be relatively pricy, links need to be in place for a while to take effect and you don't have control over the other outbound links on the site. That said, it does achieve the aim of obtaining deep back links.

Article Writing: It may take some time to write articles on a regular basis to obtain the number of links required, but this has to be the best way to obtain links to sub-pages. There are numerous free sites to submit articles to and a couple of links in the biography at the foot of the article is generally acceptable. Your article can then be used on dozens of websites, each with the link in place. In addition it promotes your site and shows it as an authority and provides additional content for your own site.

About the Author

Holding Court is a search engine marketing business specialising in achieving high rankings in the natural search results.