PJ Fusco ^[1] defines link building as

“The ongoing activity of increasing the number of high quality inbound links to a document, in order to raise its visibility in search engines for targeted phrases.”

But just how do you go about building links?

According to Fusco, who spoke at Search Engine Strategies San Jose Wednesday, it all starts with analyzing your links to determine where they are coming from, using either free or fee based backlink analysis and anchor text tools.

The major search engines offer some of these tools freely. Yahoo’s Site Explorer ^[2] is a “very handy tool if you’re just getting started, and remains one of the best ways to export to spreadsheets”. Google Webmaster Tools ^[3] is a great way to see the links that Google sees, but Fusco warns “export can be a little wonky.”

When it comes to free link analysis tools, like with everything else, you get what you pay for.

Free Link Analysis Tools:

Search Status 1.25: ^[4] A Firefox Plugin that “gives you a heck more than just quick studies of backlinks,”

SEO for Firefox ^[5]: Displays PageRank, Google Cache Data, age, Delicious bookmarks, Compete.com details and more including a keyword research tool

Market Leap Popularity Checker ^[6]: Useful for determining which “competitors links you want to raid,” assuming you already know who is linking to you.

Quintura ^[7]: for when visualization is where you want to start

Kartoo ^[8]

Hubfinder ^[9]: You can almost always find authoritative links crowding around hub.

Paid Link Analysis Tools:

Advanced Link Manager: ^[10] Great for anchor text link insight and backlink diversity data

iBusiness Promoter ^[11]

LinkSurvey ^[12]

Link Asisstant ^[13]

Tip if you want to be a player, develop a tool

Once you’ve determined where you are getting links from (or where your competitors are getting links from), it becomes a matter of hard work and determination; creating link worthy content and getting it out on the Web.

Fortunately, during the same session, Jeff Quipp ^[14] spoke about the myths and misconceptions surrounding link building – you really need to know these before you start – and Michael Gray ^[15] showed us where to find sites on the Web that could potentially link to you. Subscribe to their blogs if you are interested in link building, SEO, social media and how it all fits together.

I’ve outlined Jeff’s presentation here ^[16], and will post a link to the podcast of a chat I had with Michael for Tech Talk Radio ^[17] as soon as it goes to air in Australia.

If you know of any tools that are not included here, please let me know.