I have read that an "effective" marketing tool for online businesses is to exchange links with other like-minded websites.

For those who own an online business, have you done this? If so, have you found it effective in generating traffic and business?

Alternatively, for those who online shop, do you click on the "Links" page when browsing? If so, do you visit the sites that are featured?

Thanks.

I am a big online shopper and I do use links!

I think a few factors go into the effectiveness of links, most importantly placement -- if the link is hard to find or is in an area that is not heavily trafficked, then benefits are limited.

I do think that if it's a relevant site where the audience would be interested in your products and the link is in a good spot, it's very much worth it. We've gotten a bunch of traffic to WIM from links on other sites.

Another benefit for having links back to you is search engine rankings -- I am sure you know this, but google cares a lot about the quantity and quality of links back to you, so even if you don't get a lot of traffic from a particular site, but it's a solid site with good traffic, you're reaping the benefits from having your link there. (So even the link you have to your site in WIM profile is helping

Also, I have been told that you should have the link on the home page if possible but linking to like businesses do help your ranking.

Good evening! We have a lot of authors that have their links at the end of their articles. So if you have something to share or have a lot of knowledge on a topic posting articles around the web with your link seems a great way to generate traffic.
I found this site by one of my google ads, I love it it is such a wonderful site! So yes I click on links on my site.

I absolutely agree that link exchanging is a huge way to widen your market. Keep in mind it only works if you exchange with "like" companies. I offer free linking to my site and I send out newsletters to my customers on a monthly basis. Any new links, I put in my newletter and I introduce the product/service. My customers love it because it gives them a new venture to look into and they feel it is more valid coming from me because they are on my email list.