Links to other sites is one of the most important factor for any website or blogs to rank well in search engines. Ranking well in search engines means traffic to you sites. There are many ways to exchange links to other websites and one of them is including a directory in your websites so you can place the links. The reason is, it will not be search engine friendly for your website is you will just put any kind of links in just one page. You have to categorize them. Creating many categories and updating them is really a pain if you will just use a website editor and not automate them.
Including a directory in a website was already a standard to many websites but there is non for blogs. But now, there is a WordPress plug in I found that can automate the process. I have installed one myself, just click the link “directory” in the upper right corner of this page above menu. Installation is a snap. Just follow the instruction in the downloadable zip file. However, there are some tweeks you have to do in your theme index.php if your theme is not compatible but most WP themes will work just fine. I’ll just post some tips here . Please exchange links with me after you install it or before installation you can submit your link in the directory page to try it out for demo.
This plugin provides all the features of a link directory.
# Creation of link categories, sub-categories with descriptions
You can create any number of categories with description in the directory, including sub-categories.
# Quick add of link from admin backend and visitor front-end
Your visitor will be able to click on this link “Insert your link here”, it will pop out a form below for submission. Clean and simple.
# Search engine for admin to find link
You can search for a particular link based on its title, domain name, email address, etc
# Easy integration to your WordPress theme
You don’t have to worry about the template because this directory will use your WordPress theme. You can easily modify styling using the external style sheet provided in the directory folder.
# Backlink cleansing for checking reciprocal links
Checks each reciprocal links and see if the site is linking back to you as it promised. A list of broken links will be listed and you can either remove them or do something else.
# Non-reciprocal link allowance
You can Allow non reciprocal links and then the link will not be checked when performing link cleansing check.
# Email notification templates
Plugin allows you to set a custom email template system for link notification and approval.
# SEO friendly url rewrite
SEO friendly URL rewrite feature, that re-writes all url to search engine friendly format.
Download Link#1: Official Download Site: Worpress Link Exchage Plug in
Download Link#2: If however, the site above is offline, you can download it here: Worpress Link Exchage Plug in
I have edited the code on the second download link to remove the error showing on the dashboard which I’ve encountered when I first install the plug in. Feel free to ask and post your questions below and will respond ASAP. Happy link exchanging! 
Update: I have removed the plugin because I don’t need it anymore.
69 comments ↓
very interesting.
i’m adding in RSS Reader
Nice info. But actually I want a script that works to my readers for adding my blog link to their blogroll. FYI, I’m also an AutoCAD intermediate user.
Thanks for the comment asharudin. Haven’t heard of that kind of plugin in wordpress. Do you mean to say you want to add a link to other blogger’s blogroll? Maybe I need that too. Hope you inform us here if you found one.
Great to hear that others are using this as well… I’ve been trying to get this to work, but I seem to have a .htaccess issue. Did you need to modify that at all? I have all my admin stuff working, but I can’t reach my directory page. Did you have to make any theme changes, or do you know of any that might need to be checked for?
Hi tazarek,
Thanks for your comment. Regarding the .htaccess issue, I didn’t change anything on that part. I was having problems on the admin area and the page of the directory also but solved it by modifying the index.php under the folder “directory”. The sidebars are not showing so I copied the themes index.php to show the side bar. This will vary on which theme you are using. On my theme this two line are the one I copied:
< ?php include(TEMPLATEPATH."/l_sidebar.php");?>
< ?php include(TEMPLATEPATH."/r_sidebar.php");?>
I found my problem…. turns out that this plugin is not WPMU friendly… oh well… I guess I’ll just have to fix it!!
I like your new theme, reminds me of another site I’m familiar with
nice info, thanks for information
Hiya
I have uploaded the folder to this location
/www/blog/wp_linkdirectory_plugin/
iam unable to see in plugin page to activate it
any one please help me
thanks
Kelly
Hello Kelly,
I think you should upload the plugin in this directory: /yourblog/wp-content/plugins/
Then you will upload the whole folder: “directory” in the root folder. (e.g. http://www.yourblog/)
Hope this helps.
it always give “The description is too long,…” error.
Hi, I was looking for exchange link wordpress plugin and i found it, i extract it but i’m not sure where should i upload wp-contect and wp-admin folders because install.txt says that everything install in root directory how can i do that as i’ve already these folders available at root directory. Please help
Yes, just upload everything and it will move the files to the existing wp-content and wp-admin folders automatically. Also, a ‘directory’ folder will be created in the root directory and will upload the files there.
i cant use quick add to add link inside category
the option only in root folder
pls help
Hi Indonesia Travel Guides,
That’s easy (until I discovered it, he he) Just point your cursor and click on the box where the “ROOT” appears and click it. When it is highlighted, just press the arrow keys, either up or down. Then you will see the category selections. Thanks for your comments!
Thanks this is just what I need for starting up my blog.
i dont find the manual instruction
[...] WordPress Link Directory Including a directory in a website was already a standard to many websites but there is non for blogs. But now, there is a WordPress plug in I found that can automate the process. [...]
it would be better with other languages support, but thanks..
hi, install went well. i created categories and subcategories. now i am adding links and the category field is stuck on ROOT and can’t be changed. Any suggestions?
i see my question was already answered above. thanks to Lido. however, i have another question.
How can i make the …/directory link my home page?
thanks
Hello Ray,
You need to edit the wordpress theme and make a directory link html code depending on the design of your theme you can place it in the menu on the header or side bar.
so close lol I need a bit of help, I am definately stuck. I got everything installed, it works well but it looks funky on the page, the font color – I can’t seem to find the right css item to change, when someone types in their url. the background in the boxes being dark, I need to change the font to a light color.
Also, the ‘verification’ number, ya can’t even see it, I’m thinking when I find the place, the right css file to change the font that will be fixed also? That’s where I”m stuck, finding where to change the font colors and sizes in this plugin so the page matches my theme. I’m using Ikarus on WP 2.6. thank you:) oh here’s the link. http://www.resmerized.com/directory/
Hi Res,
Sorry for the late response. I’ll look into it and see the wordpress theme. I’ll be back.
Hi,
Just setting up a blog for my wife and have used your great plugin.
Res: Think this will help your problem.
Open the file in your ‘directory’ folder called ‘captcha.inc.php’.
You’ll see the line:
ImageFill($image, 0, 0, $black);
Change this to:
ImageFill($image, 0, 0, $white);
You should have a white background for the CAPTCHA image now and will be able to read the text on it.
Hope this helps, you can change the hex values to get other colours to match your site look and feel.
Bob
Hi Bob, That was very helpful. Thanks.
Hi Res, I’ve tried the Ikarus theme and yes I’ve encountered the dark box on the include link form. I think the problem is with your theme css. I’ve tried other wordpress theme but never encountered it.
Does this plug in still work? How do you get it onto your page, the site for the help section is dead..
Collin
Hi Collin,
Just read the install txt file.
Installation Guide
1. Upload everything you downloaded to your web server.
2. Chmod 777 to “directory/temp”, “directory/temp/*all file*”
3. Go to plugin page and activate the plugin.
4. Go to option -> Link Manager to set your configurations.
5. Your directory is ready! (eg. http://www.yourdomain.com/directory/)
Please check http://www.andreabiz.com/directory
How do we let others know to click on the directory? Do we create a link to it ourselves or is there a widget?
You can see it changed the theme color. Also in the admin management panel the link “home” and “help” both return the following error on the page:
“Fatal error: Cannot redeclare fetch_rss() (previously declared in /home/andreao/public_html/blog/wp-includes/rss.php:400) in /home/andreao/public_html/blog/wp-admin/magpierss/rss_fetch.inc on line 221″
Do you happen to know of a good (easy) widget to create a dropdown or press to open of the BlogRoll so that I can have it on the main page but not to auto appear unless pressed? The list is pretty long so I have it on another page but really would like it to be in the sidebar.
Also, do you know how to add a sidebar on the left as well?
Hi Andrea, regarding the directory link, you have to modify your wordpress theme header or sidebar depending where your navigation links is.
About the theme color, you have to edit this file /directory/index.php
Hello,
I just installed this plugin to my blog and everything seems to be cool.
The only problem it has that when someone tried to add the link so in the category field, there are no categories available to select and only Directory’s name is selected as category name and no user can change it if they wanted to select any other category!
Can any one please help me to fix this little issue.
Thanks and best regards,
AbdulBasit Makrani
Hi there my friend, i run a free online arcade site and this plug in its really unique and usefull thanks!
Hi,
This plugin works fine but not in IE. I hardly changed the code but it seems that it is compatible only with certain theme. So I removed the plugin and use php directory link instead.
One thing that you can add is adding the search box. It’s quite easy, just copy the link-exchange-search.php from wp-admin and paste it to directory folder. In the index.php you need to add
I change also the parameter so that the search can perform better. Try to eliminate some of the options. Hopefully it may be useful!
[...] WordPress Link Directory Including a directory in a website was already a standard to many websites but there is non for blogs. But now, there is a WordPress plug in I found that can automate the process. [...]
I got it up and it works good sofar just need to ad more Categories …going to go to a link Directory to take there Categories so I can finish it much faster because I have writers block I am maken this blog a auto blog I use Caffeinated Content for WordPress and Unique Article Wizard for content and many more plugin just set and forget it thanks for the cool plugin just what I need now I have to install it to 60 more blogs LOL….Thanks again
Ok this is what I have found sofar the captcha does not work in the subcategories does anyone know how to fix this thanks
cannot get it to work
does this work on version 2.7?
Yes it does.
I need some help here Really need this plugin to work as you can see here http://nuke-files.com/directory/
its all works fine except the side is under the categories section? when it should be to the far right any idea on how to fix this up so it looks and functions correctly.
Thank you for you Time
error 404 on ebrandmarketing.com
Plz see this : http://symbian.brthemes.com/directory/
my widget not in properly position. how to fix this ?
anyone can help ?
Looks good… about to download and try so will keep you posted.
Thanks!
I’ve uploaded this plugin before and sometimes it works and sometimes not. It’s a great idea but seems pretty buggy. Anyone know if the plugin author has updated it lately?
For now I’m using a backlink plugin which is pretty decent I’d say
Hi,
This is my first time comment on your blog so please excuse me for being too straight forward.
May I ask why you don’t need this plugin anymore? Is there a better one?
Thanks.
@ Binh Nguyen,
Hello, No I don’t have a new kind of plugin for link exchange. I removed it because it doesn’t serve the purpose. I’m also testing my blog if it has something to do with my blog loosing traffic that is why I removed it.
Thanks it works.
Thanks for sharing,
It works.
Hi Lito,
For some reason after FTP all the wp_linkdirectory_plugin to my Word Press 2.7 the plug in doesn’t show up in the Manage Plugins section. Any idea as to why ?
Thanks
@Michael Malega
Have you uploaded the files in the wp-admin folder? if you haven’t then there is a folder in the zip file “wp-admin” which you have to transfer in your wordpress “wp-admin” folder.
Hi Lito,
For some reason the plug doesn’t even shows in the plug in section. I uploaded as you advised wp-admin into the WP section wp-admin and the wp_linkdirectory_plugin file (without and with ) to the lug-in section of the WP. still something is wrong. Don’t even know what to think next.
Thanks
Here is very simple and SEO friendly Automatic Link Exchange for WordPress blogs
http://answers.blogpico.com/link-exchange/
This plugin sometimes does not match with the templates, so you have to change the template if you want this to work. thanks
-Andreas
sound’s great, I’d love to try this one..
hope it will meet my need.
thanks for share..
wow… thanks you
that very useful for me
please visit to http://www.borneo.web.id
Thanks for this, will still try to use this… hope it works
Great post and great plugin, i will use it on my site Thanks
Nice. Will give it a try.
Thanks for all your efforts
Thank for deveplo. we need plugin pro
thank
Hi,
Is this plugin reliable?. I’m desperately searching for a “definitive” link exchange plugin for WordPress to use on several sites.
Thanks
@Consultor SEO
So far I didn’t have problems using this.
> “I have removed the plugin because I don’t need it anymore.”
Hi again:
Don’t need it anymore? Can you explain it?. Why? Have you found a better solution?
@Consultor SEO
What I mean is I’m not into link exchange anymore.
i have come across many link exchange plugins but didn’t found the best till date…will check out this for sure…hope this helps out..thanks for sharing
why u removed it, so this plugin not work ?
Hi, I really like this plugin because it does everything a premium plugin would do and it’s free! However I do have an issue. My sidebar is not displaying. I tried adding from the index page as above (03.10.08) but I can’t get it to display. Do you have time to offer a little help?
hi, do you know a plugin that exchanges backlinks automatically ??
Nice information Buddy.. Thanks for sharing..!
Hello, just wanted to tell you, I liked this article. It was practical.
Keep on posting!
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