Link building is one of the most important components of a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy but also one that can be challenging. Backlinks are hyperlinks on the Internet that direct traffic to a website. Google’s goal is to direct search queries to the sites most likely to answer the question that was posed. Backlinks indicate to Google that others value the information on your site. Google considers backlinks in its PageRank, the algorithm that drives Google Search. The greater the number and quality of backlinks, the higher your site will rank. The following are 7 proven link building strategies:
Build Links With Purpose
Some people just try and create as many backlinks as possible. Think of link building strategies in the same way you do about all marketing, have an objective. What do you want to rank for? Why? There may be parts of your business that are more valuable than others. Those pages should be your priority. Poor quality links can hurt a business. It is better to get fewer high-quality links than many poor ones.
Create Quality Content
Good links are part of quality content. Links do not just exist. When creating links embed them in content that justifies their existence. If people like the content they are much more likely to share it. You will grow your community and boost your SEO.
Favor High DA Sites
Domain Authority (DA) is the relative value of a site or page on the Internet. This is not a Google provided rating. The higher the ranking of a site the more authority a link on it passes to another site. If your website has a DA ranking of 20, and you get a backlink from a site with a DA of 50, your site will gain value with that link. Do not rely on just one high ranking site for backlinks. Repeated backlinks from the same site diminishes the link value. You are better getting a backlink from a site with a 50 score and a 45 score than two links from the same site with a 50 score.
Link Early
Place your backlink early in an article. There is some evidence to suggest that the earlier the link is in an article the more DA it passes. Minimally, try and get the link above the fold as this will also affect referral traffic. Don’t use more than one link to your site in an article.
Use Well-Written Anchor Text
Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. It is usually underlined in blue. Build anchor text that describes the content you are linking in a natural way. Do not stuff keywords into anchor text, as that can get you penalized. Anchor text should make sense and blend with the content.
Find Influencers
Identify Influencers in your field and offer your work to them. They could have large social followings or create great content of their own. Use some of their content in an article and link back to them. Let them know you value their work. Then, offer them some high interest content of your own. Offer them a case-study that confirms a social post or blog they have written. If they like it, they will probably link to it.
Guest Authors
Another tactic is to have guest authors on your site. This is a great way to provide a different expertise and a new voice. They get to reach a new audience and receive a new backlink, you get great content. Consider a quid pro quo. They guest author on your site, and you guest author on theirs. A new POV is a great way to keep an audience engaged.
Link building can be time-consuming. Like all content, a link building strategies should be executed with a specific objective in mind. Understand the areas of your business that are important and focus your output there. Stay active in networking and maintaining a community. The more people you know, the more opportunities you will have to publish. Engage with your audience. When people feel their contributions are appreciated, they will return to your platform more often. As with many projects, consistency is the key. Keep publishing and your audience and ranking will grow.
