Reciprocal linking is a method to increase the targeted traffic to a site by finding a partner site that is ready to put up your link on their pages in return for you displaying their link. The more link partners you have, the higher you go in ranking. Thus, the question to be asked is how do you find a suitable link partner? I start by a key word search and follow the lead.
Search using your particular set of key words.
Make a list of the top ranking sites on different search engines.
Find out who their link partners are. Find out the page rank of a site.
Request these high ranking sites for a link exchange.
If you get a positive reply, add their link also to your site.
Verify that your link has been displayed on their site.
The above are the initial steps that help you identify suitable link partners. But that does not necessarily mean that you should accept any high ranking page as a partner. The relevance of the site to your content matters a lot.
Let me repeat that - MAKE SURE THAT THE PARTNER SITE THAT YOU ARE REQUESTING A RECIPROCAL LINK FROM IS IN THE SAME NICHE AS YOUR SITE! It is advisable that you stay as much as possible within your niche. This is very important and that is why I always suggest that you buy targeted traffic to build your viewership.
If you had added the relevant keywords adhering to your relevancy, then most search results should be your niche. This saves a lot of time and filtering in identifying sites that will suit you for reciprocal linking. This is an important technique to improve your page ranking and traffic. Thus, in the long run it will help you in selecting your partners.
Remember, selecting a partner for reciprocal linking is very important for page ranking and traffic. Thus, you have to keep the following in mind:
Use key words that are relevant to your site when you search for link partners.
Spend a few minutes to read the contents of potential partners.
Check for their page ranks and volume of traffic.
Review their site once a month to see if your link is still posted.