One easily forgotten element in the battle to improve search rankings is simple linking.

Here are some easy ways to increase the number of links to your website:

1. Content marketing is the key here: Write new, useful content every month – no one will link to an old, outdated website that has nothing new to offer. This content can include:

If you read any SEO websites on a regular basis (not that you have to, that’s one of the things we do for you), but, if you do read any SEO sites or newsletters, you’ll notice that there are often two camps – “Content is what counts!” vs. “Backlinks are obligatory!”

In the end, really, both camps are correct: Good, strong content, properly optimized for both search engines and site visitors, sets the table for a successful website.

But you’re not going to get the gang around the table, gobbling all the good things you’ve set out for them, without backlinks.

Moz, a Seattle-based SEO tools provider, has released its biannual report on search engine ranking factors, and the results aren’t surprising.

The top three SEO factors cited by Internet marketing professionals from across the country are:

#1 -- The number and quality of links across an entire website

#2 -- The number and quality of links to specific pages on that site

#3 -- The quality of the content and optimization techniques on those individual pages

Of course, that might be surprising news to some site owners and SEO professionals who still believe that out-of-date tactics like keyword stuffing or even the amount of money spent on Google Adwords has a major effect on search engine rankings.