Help

How to use the program

1. Step by Step instructions
2. Importing Link Partners (CSV or TXT files)

1. Register and Activate

1. Backing up the database
2. Restoring the database

1. Entering the SMTP Host settings

1. Adding your own URL
2. Modifying your own URL
3. Deleting your own URL
4. Entering the Links Page information

1. Adding a Link Partner
2. Modifying a Link Partner
3. Deleting a Link partner

Checking your Link Partners

1. Scheduling
2. Selecting the URL you would like to view a report about
3. Selecting to whom to send the email to
4. Editing the email message or sending email
5. Selecting a Link Partner
6. Checking your Link Partners
7. Deleting non-linking Link Partners
8. Creating the link pages
9. The Status Report

Step by Step instructions

With LinkCheck Pro you can verify if a reciprocal link partner is linking to your web site or not. You can email link partners, asking them to put the link back and the program can create your link pages automatically, taking over the time consuming task of verifying links and adding them to your link pages. LinkCheck Pro will add value and credibility to your site because your links are always working.

Please read below to learn how to use LinkCheck Pro

1. Enter your own URL
Enter the name of your web site, your email address and the URL of the web site you want others to link to.

The Link Page information is optional and will only be needed if you want your program to create your link pages automatically. You can modify any information later by clicking on the "Modify a URL" tab.
To enter the Link Page information, select the drive and the folder where you want linkCheck Pro to save the link pages to (on your computer). Enter the name of your link page and select the extension (e.g. link.html. LinkCheck Pro will use the name of your link page and will add a number to it in the event that more than one page is required (e.g. link.html, link1.html...). Browse to the folder where LinkCheck Pro will find the template to create the link pages with. Please see Entering the Links Page information for more information on how to use the template.

Example:
Your web site's name is 'ACME Hardware', your URL is 'http://www.acme.com' and your email address is 'info@acme.com'. You would enter ACME - Hardware as the name, info@acme.com as your email address and 'http://www.acme.com as the URL you want others to link to. This is all that is required, you can click on "Add this URL" now or you can continue to enter the Link Page information.

Please read Entering the Links Page information for more information on how to use the template first.

Your web site is located at 'c:\WebSite\acme\docs' on your computer. You have created a template with the name 'links_template.html' and you have saved it at 'c:\website\acme\docs\links_template.html'. Now you select Drive C on the drop down and you select c:\website\acme\docs\ in the 'Where to save the link page(s)" section. Enter the Name of the Link Page" (here links) and select the file extension (html or htm). Now browse to 'c:\website\acme\docs\links_template.html' to select the "Location and name of Link Page Template". If your template is using CSS (Style Sheets) you may enter the name of the style used for the navigational links, regular links and text. You can select if you would like to include "Links in Question" and "Bad Links" when creating your link pages and how to organize the links (Alphabetical or by date added). Enter the number of links you would like to have per page. Entering "0" will cause LinkCheck pro to create only one page with all links on it.

2. Enter your Link Partners information

Select the URL that you want your link partner to link to (as entered above), then enter the name of your Link Partner, email address and the URL of your link partner where the link to your web site can or should be found. LinkCheck Pro will not search for your link by the means of crawling an entire web site. It will only search for your link on the page specified here. If your link partner uses frames you must enter the frame where your link can be found, not the surrounding frame or parent frame.

You don't have to add the Link Page information now. The information is only needed if you want LinkCheck Pro to create your link pages automatically. Enter the URL of your link partner that you want to link to and the description. Check "Include anyway" if you want to include this link partner even if they don't link to you.

Example:
Your link partner's name is "Coyote Tools", the URL is http://www.CoyoteTools.com, the email is info@CoyoteTools.com and the description of the link partner is "Coyote Tools offers everything for the genius inventor". Your link partner has a link page located at http://www.CoyoteTools.com/resources.htm where they place all the companies they link to or exchange links with.

First you select "Your own URL" as entered in the previous example. Then you enter "Coyote Tools" in the "Name of Link Partner" field, "info@CoyoteTools.com" in the "eMail address" field, "http://www.CoyoteTools.com/resources.htm" in the "URL that should link to your URL" field, "http://www.CoyoteTools.com" in the "URL for Links Page" field and "Coyote Tools offers everything for the genius inventor" in the "Description" field. If you want to have your link partner on your link page even if they don't link to you, you would select "Include anyway". Now click on "Add this Link" to save the information.

See also:Importing Link Partners (CSV or TXT files)

3. Check your link partners

Select "Check Link Partners" from the menu, select your URL and click on "Check". LinkCheck Pro will now verify the link status of your web site and will generate a report when finished. You can then email non-linking or linking partners, or create your link pages containing only those link partners with links to your URL or those (Link Partner screen, "Include anyway" is checked) selected to be included. LinkCheck Pro can create link pages only if all the required information has been entered.
Please see Entering the SMTP Host settings and Checking your Link Partners for more information about email, checking and reporting.

That's it.

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Importing Link Partners (CSV or TXT files)

LinkCheck Pro can import your Link Partners data from an database. The following formats can be imported: CSV and TXT.
A CSV file has a "Comma" as a separator and is the default format to be imported. Additional TXT files with the following separator can be imported:

Pipe |
Tab
Comma

The file has to be in the following format:
Name, email, Link URL, URL for Links Page, Description

There are two fields required: Name and LinkURL
The remaining fields are optional, yet they must be in the database. If not used, a empty field has to be used instead.

The following example shows two records from an example database included with the program. (example.csv)

Link Partner 1,email@linkpartner1.com,http://www.linkpartner1.com/links.htm,http://www.linkpartner1.com,This is the description of Link Partner 1
Link Partner 2,email@linkpartner2.com,http://www.linkpartner2.com/links.htm,,

To import a file select "File, Import Link Partners" from the main menu.

Step 1:
Browse to the file you would like to import. A CSV or TXT file may be selected.
The "Next" button will be enabled.

Before importing any records you should backup your database. Should the import not be successful you can simply "Restore" your database to the previous state.

Step 2: (only if TXT file has been selected)
Select the Delimiter or Separator used in your file, then click the "Next" button.




Step 3:
Select the URL you would like to import the Link Partners for and click on "Select"
Then click the "Next" button.

Step 4:
LinkCheck Pro will only import data if the format of the file is valid and those Link Partners not already in the database.

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Register and Activate

The unregistered version of LinkCheck Pro is fully functional for 10 Days. After the free trial you can either purchase a license to continue to use the program or un-install it. The license and entitles you to receive free updates and support for your product.



To register and activate your program enter your Name, PayPal confirmation number (Transaction ID) and eMail address and click 'Register and Activate'.
The program will then connect to our server to confirm your payment with PayPal. After that, the program is fully functional.

If you haven't purchased a License yet click on 'Purchase' and you will be taken to the LinkCheck pro web site where you can purchase a license.

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Backing up the database

Before updating to a newer version and to have a backup of your database select "File --> Backup Database" from the menu. The program will then create a copy of your database.

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Restoring the database

To restore your database select "File --> Restore Database". The program will then restore your database to the date when the backup file was created.
Note: All changes in your original database that were made after the creation of the backup file will be lost.

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Adding your own URL

Here you can create your 'Own URL'. Your 'Own URL' is the web site you want others to link to.
Enter all the information required.

The link page information is optional and only required if you would like to create a link page for your web site. The entered information as well as the optional link page information can be modified later.

Click on the 'Name' field and enter the name of your web page or the web page you would like to have linked to. All characters are allowed.
Enter the 'Owner's eMail address' in the eMail field.
Then enter the URL of your web site into the 'URL' field. Some characters are not allowed to be used in the URL field.
The URL field must start with 'http://'. If not the program will add it.

The program will search for the URL as entered. (http://www.yahoo.com is different from http://www.yahoo.com/index.html)
The same URL can only be used once. Trying to enter the same URL twice will prompt an error
When finished click the 'Add this URL' button. A disabled button means that the function is not available at this time due to missing information.

See also: Modifying your own URL, Deleting your own URL, Entering the Links Page information

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Entering the Links Page Information ("Add a URL" Screen and "Modify a URL" Screen)

If you want LinkCheck to create your Link Page(s), enter the information in the "'Links Page information box".
Select the drive and browse to the folder where you want to save the link page(s), enter the number of links per page (if "0" is entered LinkCheck will create only one page with all links on this one page), the basic name of the links page and the extension (HTM or HTML). If the number of links exceeds the number of links per page, LinkCheck will create additional link pages automatically.
Browse to the location of the template that LinkCheck can use to create the pages.
The template must include the <!--@@LINK@@--> tag.
LinkCheck cannot create your link pages if the tag is missing. The program uses the tag to insert your link partner's links into your template.

The following "control tags" are recognized:

• <!--@@LINK@@-->: Required. All link information will be inserted wherever this tag is found
• <!--@@INFO@@-->: Optional. The information such as "Page 1 of 4" will be inserted
• <!--@@NAVIGATION_PREVIOUS@@-->: Optional *. Navigational text link "Previous" will be inserted here
• <!--@@NAVIGATION_NEXT@@-->: Optional *. Navigational text link "Next" will be inserted here

* If the "previous" tag is used the 'next" tag must be used also. If the navigational tags cannot be found, LinkCheck will insert the navigational links as required.

You can use Style Sheets within your template. If you do, use the CSS: Nav Link, CSS: Link and CSS Text fields to enter the name of the style for each type. If you are not using Style Sheets simply leave them empty.

Lastly select the type of links you would like to have included in your Links Pages(s). Normally the program would only include "good" links. By checking "Links in Question" LinkCheck also includes links where it could not identify the type of link found. (Such as flash code). Selecting "Bad Links" will include the links of those who do not link back to you as well.
If "Sort Order" has been checked, LinkCheck will create the link page(s) in alphabetical order. (Unchecked will create newest first - oldest last order).

See also: Adding your own URL, Modifying your own URL, Deleting your own URL

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Modifying your own URL

Here you can modify your 'Own URL'. Your 'Own URL' is the web site you want others to link to.
Enter all the information required.

The link page information is optional and only required if you would like to create a link page for your web site. The entered information as well as the optional link page information can be modified later.

Click on the 'Name' field and enter the name of your web page or the web page you would like to have linked to. All characters are allowed.
Enter the 'Owner's eMail address' in the eMail field.
Then enter the URL of your web site into the 'URL' field. Some characters are not allowed to be used in the URL field.
The URL field must start with 'http://'. If not the program will add it.
The program will search for the URL as entered. (http://www.yahoo.com is different from http://www.yahoo.com/index.html)
The same URL can only be used once. Trying to enter the same URL twice will prompt an error
When finished click the 'Update this URL' button. A disabled button means that the function is not available at this time due to missing information.

See also: Adding your own URL, Deleting your own URL, Entering the Links Page information

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Deleting your own URL

Select the URL you would like to delete.
When clicking on the 'Delete this URL' button a new window will open, asking you if you are sure. Please keep in mind that all link partners related to this URL will also be deleted! There is no Un-Delete.

See also: Adding your own URL, Modifying your own URL, Entering the Links Page information

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Adding a Link Partner

Select 'Your own URL' that you want your link partner to link to and then click on the 'Name' field and enter the name of your link partner's web page. All characters are allowed in the 'Name' field. The Name will be used to create the link on the links page. Then enter the URL of your link partner's web site into the 'URL that should link to your URL' field. Some characters are not allowed to be used in the URL field.
The URL field must start with 'http://'. If not the program will add it.

Enter the description and the URL of your link partner. The description and the name will be used to create the links page.
LinkCheck does not support frames. To add a frame, use the target frame URL. (Open the page with your browser, right-click and open frame in new window, then copy the URL from the location or address bar).
Enter the link partner's eMail address in the email field (if available), if left blank the email feature to notify "cheaters" will not be available.
To include the link in the link page no matter the link status check the 'Include anyway' option.
When finished click the 'Add this Link' button. A disabled button means that the function is not available at this time due to missing information.



See also: Modifying a Link Partner, Deleting a Link partner

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Modifying a Link Partner

Select 'Your own URL' that you want your link partner to link to and then click on 'Show'. Now, when using the 'Next' (Page Up Key) or 'Previous' (Page Down Key) button only the link partners for this URL will be shown. You can also search for a specific link partner by keeping 'All Links' selected, entering a key word into the 'Search Query' field and then clicking 'Show'. Before clicking on 'Show' you may select the 'Sort Order' of the records shown.

Enter the name of your Link Partner in the 'Name' field. All characters are allowed in the 'Name' field. The Name will be used to create the link on the links page. Then enter the URL of your link partner's web site into the 'URL that should link to your URL' field. Some characters are not allowed to be used in the URL field.
The URL field must start with 'http://'. If not the program will add it.

Enter the description and the URL of your link partner. The description and the name will be used to create the links page. (The Link Partner cannot be added to the link page if left blank)
LinkCheck does not support frames. To add a frame, use the target frame URL. (Open the page with your browser, right-click and open frame in new window, then copy the URL from the location or address bar).
Enter the link partner's eMail address in the email field (if available), if left blank the email feature to notify "cheaters" will not be available.
To include the link in the link page no matter the link status check the 'Include anyway' option.

When finished click the 'Update this Link' button. A disabled button means that the function is not available at this time due to missing information.



See also: Adding a Link Partner, Deleting a Link partner

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Deleting a Link Partner

Use the 'Next' (Page Up Key) or 'Previous' (Page Down Key) to find the Link Partner you would like to delete or you can search for a specific link partner by entering a key word into the 'Search Query' field and then clicking 'Show'. Before clicking on 'Show' you may select the 'Sort Order' of the records shown.

The information for this Link Partner will be shown. Clicking on 'Delete this link' will permanently delete this Link Partner.



See also: Adding a Link Partner, Modifying a Link Partner

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Selecting the URL you would like view a report about

To select a URL you would like to view a report Click on "Reporting", "View Report". Select the URL and click on "Select". The "View Report" button will be enabled.



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Entering the SMTP Host settings

To be able to send email to your link partners you must enter the SMTP Host. The SMTP Host information can be obtained from your Internet Service Provider. Select "File", "Settings" from the main menu and enter the information required, then click "Finished" to save the information. Should the information not be available you can send email to your non-linking link partners by selecting "Reporting", then "View last HTML report" from the main menu. The report is only available after you have checked your link partners. The HTML form will use your default email client installed on your system.



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Selecting to whom to send the email to (Step 1)

After viewing a Report you can send your linking and non-linking link partners email by clicking on the
"Send email to Link Partners shown" button on the Reporting form. The form below will be displayed.
You can only select those link partners with an email (indicated by "-->" followed by the email). At least one link partner has to be checked before Step 2 can be selected. (Clicking on the tab labeled "Step 2" or pressing the "Next" button





Editing the email message or sending email (Step 2)

If the message has not been defined previously the "Default Message" will be used. You may modify the default message and save it as the new "default" by clicking on the 'Make Default' button. To use the default message click on 'Get Default'. Your changes will be saved when clicking on the 'Finished' button. If all the required information has been entered the "Send" will be enabled. After clicking "Send" LinkCheck will attempt to send the message.



See also: Selecting to whom to send the email to (Step 1), Checking your Link Partners, The Status Report

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Scheduling

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Selecting a Link Partner

To select a URL you would like to view a report Click on "Check Link Partners". Select the URL and click on "Select". The "View Report" and "Check" button will be enabled. Click on "Check" and LinkCheck Pro will start checking your Link Partners.



See also: Editing the email message, Checking your Link Partners, Creating the link pages, The Status Report

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Checking your Link Partners

The program will visit all of your link partners web sites and searches for the link code you have entered (Please see Adding your own URL) You can watch LinkCheck checking your partners or minimize the program and do other things during this time. Click on 'Pause' to pause the program. The optional 'Skip' button is now enabled. Clicking on the 'Skip' button will cause LinkCheck not to check this Link Partner. When LinkCheck is finished checking your Link Partners you will be informed and the status report will be displayed.



See also: Editing the email message, Selecting a Link Partner, Creating the link pages, The Status Report

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The Status Report

After LinkCheck has finished checking your link partners the status report will be shown. You can view "All Link Partners", "Bad Links", "Links in Question" and "Linking Sites only" by selecting what to show. To view a web site click on the web site link. Be sure to check those link partners where LinkCheck could not identify clearly if the link to you is available or not. (Indicated by and ). The link partners with no link to you or link partners with a serious problem are indicated by . To send an e-mail to your link partners click on the "Send email to Link Partners shown" button.

Please note: You may want to visit your link partners web site to confirm the non-linking status. If the web server was down at the time of checking or if an error has occurred LinkCheck Pro will show your link partner as not linking as well.

Why does the report say that my Link Partner is not linking, but the link is there?
Possible cause #1: Your link is in a frame. Enter the sub-frame of your Link Partner instead.
Possible cause #2: Link Partner is using redirect. Enter the target URL instead.
Possible cause #3: Receiving error. Try again later.
Possible cause #4: Server is not configured correctly and does not serve correct header.
Possible cause #5: Link Partner is using script to generate page, but HTML header is wrong.

Please see Selecting to whom to send the email to (Step 1) for more information



See also: Editing the email message, Selecting a Link Partner, Checking your Link Partners, Creating the link pages

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Deleting non-linking Link Partners

Before creating your link pages, LinkCheck Pro will ask you if you would like to delete non-linking link partners (if there are any). You will have to select the link partners you would like to delete. Only non-linking link partners where the "include anyway" has not been checked are available for deletion.
Please see Adding a Link Partner, Modifying a Link Partner for more information. Click on "Select All" to select all non-linking link partners or "Un-Select" to unselect any selected link partners. You can also check each link partner individually. When all link partners you would like to delete have been selected click "Continue" to proceed. You do not have to select any link partners.

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Creating the link pages

After you have checked your link partners at least one time you can now create your link page(s) providing you have entered all the data needed to do so. (Please see Entering the Links Page information Adding a Link Partner). Click on "Create Links Pages" and LinkCheck will automatically create the pages and informs you when finished. You can then preview the pages.
The Link pages template MUST include the following tag: <!--@@LINK@@-->

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