As an age-old SEO strategy, link building has been here for a while. According to Linkbuilder, inbound linking was first introduced in 1996 through BackRub – a search engine.
Here’s how it used to look back then –
So, yes, it’s been almost 28 years since link building was introduced. And as a matter of fact, it’s still going strong. A study conducted by Rank Tracker has found that almost 85% of marketers are vouching for the technique even to this day.
This aligns with the fact that pages ranking #1 on Google have, on average, 3.8 times more backlinks than other pages. High-quality backlinks not only boost search rankings but also drive significant organic traffic. But here’s the thing.
If you want to get high-quality backlinks, you have to follow through a proper process. I share some tips in this article along the line. But before that, let’s talk about –
Why Do Small Brands Need Link Building? How To Do It
For smaller brands, link-building is an ideal and cost-effective way to improve their online presence. High-quality backlinks from reputable websites tell search engines that your website is trustworthy and valuable. This boosts your SERP ranking & helps you get more organic traffic.
By publishing your article on another website, you are also getting exposure to the users of that platform. So, in a way, link building also puts your brand in front of people.
Plus, links from other websites can bring in a huge amount of referral traffic. This gives your potential customers a viable and valuable way to find you.
Link Building Tips: 1 – Create High-Quality Content
Creating well-researched and best-written content is the foundation of successful link building. When you produce valuable content, people are more likely to share it and link it back to your website. This makes you appear as an industry leader who knows his stuff.
But how do you create high-quality content?
- Identify your target audience and learn about what they are looking for.
- Write on topics that combine trends and evergreen information.
- Work on blogs and articles that solve problems, answer questions, and offer insights.
- Make your content informative, and engaging, yet easy to understand.
Remember, writing high-quality content and sprinkling focus keywords around can also improve your website’s SEO. It can help you rank higher and get attention from your target audience too.
Link Building Tips: 2 – Use Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for link-building.
By sharing your content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn – you can reach a larger audience much quicker. If your content is fun and engaging enough to read, your audience will share it on their feed or with their friends personally. This can increase the chance of getting more backlinks and going viral on social media too.
The best way to get backlinks on social is by creating an infographic and sharing it on your account. Here is how you can create one –
Be sure to engage with your followers as frequently as possible and join relevant groups to boost your scope even more. The more you talk, the more your audience will be interested in sharing their insights with you. This will increase your credibility and visibility even more.
Link Building Tips: 3 – Try Guest Blogging
Guest blogging involves writing articles for other websites in your industry. This allows you to share your expertise in your industry, build brand authority, and reach new audiences.
The good news is – there are many websites that let guest bloggers include a link back to their site without asking for money. However, when you are writing guest posts, you have to –
- Focus on quality over quantity.
- Look for reputable websites that have a readership similar to your target audience.
Following these practices will not only help you build links but also develop a keen relationship with your industry peers.
Link Building Tips: 4 – Build Relationships With Influencers
By connecting with influencers in your niche, you can increase your brand’s reach and gain valuable links. Here is a step-by-step approach to how you should connect to them –
- Start by identifying influencers who align with your brand’s values and audience.
- Engage with them on social media, comment on their posts, and share their content.
- When you have a good relationship, they may link to your content, mention your brand, or even collaborate on projects.
Influencers can also introduce you to new audiences who trust their opinions. In some cases, however, an influencer might ask for compensation before promoting your product.
While it can get expensive sometimes, you will gain a lot of followers and potentially make more sales in the long run too. We don’t know about you, but it’s a win in our book.
Link Building Tips: 5 – Use Local Directories
Local directories are an excellent way for small brands to gain backlinks and attract local customers. Websites like Yelp, Google My Business, and industry-specific directories can help improve your online visibility. So, how do you use these?
Firstly, you have to submit your business to these directories. Make sure your contact information is consistent and available everywhere. This can build trust with search engines and increase the chances of appearing in local search results.
Link Building Tips: 6 – Participate In Online Communities
Online communities, such as forums and Q&A sites like Quora and Reddit threads, are excellent places to engage with potential customers. By offering helpful insights and answering questions related to your industry, you can establish yourself as an authority and build links.
Always include a link to your website in your profile or responses, where relevant. Just make sure not to spam—focus on genuinely helping people. Consistent participation can boost your brand’s visibility and increase backlink opportunities.
Link Building Tips: 7 – Monitor Competitor Backlinks
Analyzing where your competitors get their backlinks can give you a strategic advantage. Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find out which sites link to your competitors. This can help you identify potential link-building opportunities.
If a website is linking to a competitor, they might be willing to link to you as well, especially if you offer similar or better content. Regularly monitoring competitor backlinks can provide new ideas and keep you informed about industry trends.
Link Building Tips: 8 – Engage In Local Sponsorships Or Events
Sponsoring or participating in local events can result in backlinks from local community sites, news outlets, and organization pages. Not only does this improve SEO but also positions your brand as a community leader. So, what kinds of events should you opt for?
Consider sponsoring local charities, festivals, or educational events, as they tend to have a high-authority domain on their name. They are also trusted by the local audience. So, if you are taking part in their events, they are bound to notice you.
Link Building Tips: 9 – Conduct Outreach Campaigns
Outreach campaigns are an effective way to build backlinks by reaching out directly to other sites. Start by finding websites that could benefit from linking to your content.
Send a friendly email explaining who you are, and why your content would add value to their site, and suggest a link to your article or page.
Keep your outreach emails short and personalized. While not every site will respond, a well-crafted outreach campaign can lead to high-quality backlinks and valuable relationships.
Link Building Tips: 10 – Analyze And Adjust Your Strategy
Link building has always been an ongoing process. So, if a tactic is working for you right now, there is no guarantee that it will be successful for you tomorrow. That’s why it’s important to analyze your link-building efforts regularly to see what’s working and what’s not.
The best thing about link building is that you can monitor the quality and number of backlinks you have created with tools. They can also help you track changes in your search rankings and website traffic. So, once you have analyzed where you are going right and where you went wrong – you can start focusing on methods that offer the best results.
Remember, if you want to be successful in digital marketing, it’s important to be flexible and adapt your approach over time.
Conclusion
Link building is important for any small brand that is aiming to grow online. The entire process can seem a little challenging on paper. However, if you are following the steps we have mentioned here, you will be fine. But if you are not willing to put in so much effort or simply don’t have time to do so – you can always give us a call.
At Viacon, we have been providing quality guest posts since 2018. And we have been fairly successful too, if we’re being modest enough. So, let us help you focus on building genuine relationships, creating valuable content, and being consistent in your efforts.
As you develop your brand’s online presence, link-building will play a key role in increasing your visibility, improving your rankings, and attracting new customers. Keep at it, and over time, you’ll see the impact of a well-executed link-building strategy.
