Google favors websites with good backlinks. Find out how to earn these links here.
Climbing Google’s summit is a challenge. To do so, you’ll need to meet over 200 of the search giant’s ranking factors, including those for backlinks. These external links are how websites say they trust your brand. More importantly, white hat backlinks let Google know you have a reliable resource.
Acquiring high-quality backlinks doesn’t happen overnight, though. It takes time and effort. But how do you build good backlinks? Keep reading for helpful backlinking strategies to drive organic traffic and boost your search rankings in 2023.
We’ve mentioned that backlinking means websites see you as a trusted source. It’s a tough achievement to earn, but crucial for better SEO performance. However, high-quality backlinks go beyond helping you improve your search rankings and reach more people online.
Link-building strategies present relationships between your brand and the websites it cites. They also remind readers that humans deliver the content they see and show how your site helps others grow. Finally, your site visitors can gain the best answers to their questions with backlinks.
While backlinks can aid in SEO success, some can be low-quality. Thus, assessing whether the links you get or build prove that you’re trustworthy is important.
High-quality backlinks should have the following qualities.
Are you ready to earn good backlinks? Here are some backlinking strategies to consider.
Guest blogging involves linking to original content focused on specific topics. It helps you build your backlink profile organically.
Many websites accept and share guest blog posts about new topics. Furthermore, they only publish these articles instead of writing and uploading them.
If you’re considering guest blogging, find websites with that opportunity. These pages should cover your industry, products, or services and have higher domain authority that helps boost their search rankings.
You can also ask businesses you serve if they can link to your website. They may entertain your request since you’re already working with them. For example, many companies show their partners on a dedicated page. It can be your chance to earn good backlinks.
For this next backlinking strategy, your partner should be a blog or influencer within your industry. Contact your potential partner, then ask them if they can use your product or service and review it.
Macro influencers can also help you earn backlinks. You can pay them to review your tool or service and get a link in return. Or, give your partner an affiliate link that earns them a commission. The blog or influencer will only receive the commission whenever users click on your affiliate link or buy an item or service.
There are two steps to earning backlinks with these content assets.
Your linkable assets include original research, comprehensive and lengthy guides, infographics, visuals, or other valuable content. They should be detailed, engaging, and accurate for users to link to you. Moreover, websites should use them naturally.
While hunting for backlinks, you may find articles with extra resources. Websites can link these content pieces, called contextual links, in anchor text or a “Read more” section.
Finding the right site to refer to will help you earn contextual links. You just need to find relevant articles with a “Read more” section.
Here’s an example: You want to link to blog posts about marketing trends. These Google search queries should show you relevant results.
Next, tell the author why they should feature your content. Win them over with a convincing boilerplate (standardized, reusable text) and a personalized email.
Screenshot from the “24 Best Digital Marketing Tools for Small Businesses” blog post
Some websites may have resource pages citing other sites. Users who include your links in these pages help their websites gain higher rankings.
If you have content perfect for resource pages, contact their authors promptly. Use these search queries to find resource pages in your niche.
However, you may find pages without “resource” in their text. In this case, type queries containing “best sites,” “best blogs,” “blog awards,” or “places to learn.” Get the pages you find, then compose personalized emails to the authors. You can send “feeler” emails determining whether the person will accept your link-building proposal before providing specific links.
Your expertise and unique data can make you a source for other bloggers and journalists. It gives you authoritative backlinks, introduces your brand to more people, and increases your website’s traffic.
Screenshot from HARO
Now, how do you become a publisher’s go-to expert source? HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is your starting point. It connects you with bloggers and journalists seeking contributors for their articles.
When you’re subscribed to HARO, you’ll get daily emails with queries from niche writers. Choose the best ones and answer them via email. But you must respond fast since experts flood writer inboxes with their answers. Plus, publishers may pick your response and email you after publishing the article.
This next strategy is simple: Locate broken links on industry-related websites and ask web admins to replace them with your linkable resources.
Everyone wins in broken link building. The webmaster changes a broken link, earning you a backlink. If you’re going with this backlinking strategy, you have two options.
Screenshot from Backlinko
Do you have content that needs updating? Check its number of backlinks. Chances are, many publishers have cited the piece, meaning you’ve struck gold. Take your old content and add more relevant data, then send the piece to bloggers or journalists who’ve cited it.
Backlinks or social media shares can come days or weeks after publishing updated content. But the benefits don’t stop there. Some publishers may work with you on projects that build good relationships with your brand and website traffic.
Screenshot from Portent’s SERP Preview Tool page
Building free tools is another effective way to acquire backlinks and new leads. Start offering them with these steps.
Screenshot from Yelp
If you’re after high-quality backlinks and better local SEO, turn to local directories. You can hop on popular directories, like Google My Business (now Google Business Profile), Yelp, and TripAdvisor, for good backlinks. Also, many general and niche online directories can push you toward SEO success.
A public relations plan can position you as a notable and trustworthy industry source. Plus, it can help you build your backlink profile. If you’re already publishing press releases, those materials let you link to your site at least once.
Public relations can also make you an expert in your niche. Regularly sharing helpful and relevant insights increases your authority.
Finally, promoting content on social media is good PR. People can share your content if it’s useful to them, giving you more backlinks.
Testimonials and reviews help customers determine whether to buy a product or service. But they can also be a helpful backlinking strategy. In a blog post, mention your favorite items or services, then inform site owners. These two steps can earn you a backlink or a social media shout-out.
Backlinks are crucial to your website’s search performance. Good backlinks move you up the search ladder, while low-quality ones mean a low ranking. Use any or some of the link-building strategies we’ve listed to improve your SEO and become an authority in your industry.
Raring to build some backlinks? Get more tips from the Growth Rocket blog, or contact our team for expert help today.
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