Links as we all know are very important on the Web. Search engines particularly Google look not only at the number of sites linking to you but also take into consideration the quality of links. Plus, search engines are now looking for natural linking patterns, and sites that show contrary are penalized.

Short of sending the link-to-me-or-else-email, how do you get QUALITY links to your site? Here are some techniques , while they are no means exhaustive can give you a good start in your link building strategy:

1. Build quality content — that is first and foremost the best way you can build quality links to your website. If your content adds value and unique, people will link to your site without you even asking for it.

Look at your competition amd see what they’re doing right/wrong. Analyze their site and find out what areas are they the weakest and not providing — then come up with something that they don’t have. That will create the buzz about your website — and buzz on the web means links to your website

2. Use linkbait — when developing content, think of content that will actually entice people to link to you. You may have compiled a list of resources, developed interactive flash games, or written a blog that is witty and funny, or created videos that are laugh-out loud. Add something exciting in your website that will compel others to link to you. Initiate the power of viral marketing for your site through linkbaits.

3. Give away an ebook, tutorial or software, with the requirement that others can use it and offer it on their site as additional resource but has to link back to your site.

4. Be a Google News provider. Whether you accept and publish press releases or provides content that Google News accepts, having your content in Google News exposes your site to blogs and websites looking for content.

5. Write articles. A growing number of article submission directories and sites now use the rel=nofollow tag so make it a stipulation that your article can only be used if live links are placed in your resource page

6. Press releases = regularly issue press releases but target those submission sites that can get you into Google News and Yahoo News, among others. Many websites are looking for news items, and press releases are an important source.

7. Make sure your site is listed in key directories, such as DMOZ. However, note that not all directories are created equal, and some particularly those specific ones have shady backlinks with their pages shown in the search engines as supplemental results.

There are many other techniques. Avoid those strategies that seem too spammy (e.g. going through forums and blogs and mindlessly posting your link) and concentrate on “natural forms” of linking. If you are in this in the long haul, the key is to simply develop quality content — and the links will come to you.