Generating quality links is the most significant way in which to increase search engine rankings, it has been suggested.

Writing on Freelance UK, Shaun Crowley claimed that popularity is the best way through which companies can improve their search results and is "based on the number and quality of websites linking to you".

As a result he advised "ten links from small unconnected websites, such as local traders, are likely to be less useful than one link from a popular design-focused website".

Mr Crowley suggested starting a blog was "the easiest way to pull potential clients" as the medium not only attracts links websites generally favoured by Google but can also allow companies to post content in a "spontaneous and timely" fashion.

Sending website links to online directories was also recommended as it can "result in plenty of quality hits".

Meanwhile, sending "useful and informative" content to websites popular with prospective audiences can help companies appear an "expert" in their area of business.

Last month, search engine publication Pandia suggested that creating quality internal links can help search engines find and index companies' website content.