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#5 Virtual Partnering

As we discussed in the section on search engines one way to get your site indexed higher is to have links from other indexed sites into your site.   Virtual partnering is a way to accomplish this.

Virtual partnering is more than a way to leverage the work of others to get your site indexed.   It is a way to reach your target market in a more direct way, on the sites that they are already surfing.

Virtual partnering is nothing more than the agreement between two sites to cross link each other.   This can be a subtle as text link or as extensive as a banner ad.  In fact virtual partnering could go further.  You could in fact share common content pages with a partner.  This maximizes your return while reducing your expenditure of time and money. BC Ventures recommends numerous options to clients to form virtual partners and often brings together sites from around the world to target a single market, each site wishing to sell a different product or service.  Virtual partnering can be a powerful leveraging tool if used properly.

The types of virtual partners that you should seek depend upon your target market and the type of business you are in.  Just like a strategic partnership in the world of brick and mortar your partners must reflect positively one you.  Remember you are going to link to your partner site.   Make sure that their product and service reflects properly on you.  Your target market may overlap with a pornographic site in many demographic areas but the cost to you in the loss of the rest of your market may outweigh the benefits.

Most site owners are willing to cross link to your site.  The benefits to them are the same as for you.   It is generally a simple matter of writing an email to the Webmaster of a site and proposing a mutually beneficial relationship.  If you have properly researched the other site and their target market your proposal will most likely be accepted. 

Another easy way to virtual partner is through the use of Microsoft's b-central Linkexchange program.   Linkexchange allows you the opportunity to specify the types of sites that your banner is displayed on.   This is an especially effective method for new site or your Pointer sites to add traffic in the early days.

One last thought.   If your target market is primarily local then your most virtual partners ought to be local. Make a list of firms in your area that do not compete with you but target the same customers as you.   If these firms have a website go and meet the owner.   Propose a virtual partnership that will benefit both of you.    

Virtual marketing can be as extensive or limited between two sites as the owners desire.  Your imagination is really the only limit to the possibilities.

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