What is a backlink?
A backlink is simply a link from one website to another. When a website links to your website, it's like a vote of confidence. It tells search engines that your website is a credible source of information. The more backlinks you have from high-quality websites, the more likely your website will rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Backlinks are essential for SEO because they help search engines discover new content and determine how well a page should rank in search results. When a website links to your content, it's essentially vouching for the quality and relevance of your page. This can help improve your website's visibility and organic traffic.
What is Domain Authority?
Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). DA scores range from one to 100, with higher scores corresponding to a more remarkable ability to rank. Domain Authority is calculated by evaluating linking root domains, the number of total links, and other factors.
It's important to note that Domain Authority is a relative metric. This means that it's best used to compare the "strength" of one site to another. For example, a website with a DA of 50 will likely rank higher than one with a DA of 30.
How do backlinks build my site's authority?
Backlinks are a crucial factor in building your website's authority. When a high-authority website links to your site, it passes on some of its authority to your site. This is like getting a recommendation from a trusted friend. Search engines view these recommendations as a sign that your website is trustworthy and credible.
The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more authority your site will have. This can lead to higher rankings in search results, increased traffic, and improved brand visibility.
10 ways how to get website backlinks for a small business
1. Guest blog posts
Guest blogging is a great way to get backlinks to your website. When you write a guest post for another website, you can include a link back to your site in your author bio or within the content of the post.
To find guest blogging opportunities, you can use Google search operators, look for guest posting directories, research prolific guest bloggers, check your competitor's backlink profile, or search on social media.
When writing a guest post, it's essential to follow the website's guidelines, replicate their style, write something unique, include internal links and links to your site, check your grammar and spelling, and include images.
To promote your guest blog post, you can share it on social media, submit it to social groups, submit it to Reddit, include it in your mailing list, mention influencers you quoted, submit it to round-up posters, add a link to upcoming content, send it to a warm contacts list, create spinoff content, add links in old evergreen content, submit it to content aggregators, add the link to your email signature, edit the link into your author bio, and use the link in future pitches.
2. Look for broken links
Broken link building is a link-building tactic that involves finding broken links on other websites and suggesting your content as a replacement. This is a great way to get high-quality backlinks from relevant websites.
You can use a broken link checker tool, such as SEOptimer's DIY SEO tool, Dead Link Checker, or Google Search Console, to find broken links.
Once you've found a broken link, you need to contact the website owner and let them know about it. You can then suggest your content as a replacement.
3. Find unlinked mentions
Unlinked mentions are when a website mentions your brand but does not include a hyperlink back to your website. These mentions can be an excellent opportunity to get backlinks.
You can use Google search operators, a backlink service like Buzzsumo, Buzzstream, or Moz, or a media monitoring tool such as Brand24 to find unlinked mentions.
Once you've found an unlinked mention, you need to contact the website owner and ask them to add a link to your website.
4. Create easily linkable content
One of the best ways to get backlinks is to create content other people want to link to. This could include original research, in-depth guides, infographics, or other content that provides value to your audience.
When creating linkable content, it's essential to focus on original research and well-researched content, publish timeless, evergreen content, enrich content with engaging media, and prioritize creating content for human readers.
5. Get mentioned in a "best" article
Getting mentioned in a "best of" article can be a great way to get a backlink to your website. These articles rank high in search results and can drive traffic to your site.
To get mentioned in a "best" article, you can contact the author and tell them about your business. You can also submit your business to directories and review sites.
6. Try infographics
Infographics are a great way to present information in a visually appealing way. They are also highly shareable, which can lead to backlinks.
To create an infographic, you must find an idea, build an audience persona, conduct in-depth research, and craft a compelling infographic.
Once you've created your infographic, you can share it on social media, submit it to infographic directories, and contact bloggers and influencers.
7. HARO
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a platform that connects journalists with sources. When you sign up for HARO, you'll receive daily emails with queries from journalists looking for sources for their articles.
If you see a query relevant to your expertise, you can respond to it with a pitch. If the journalist chooses your pitch, they'll include your quote in their article and may even link to your website.
To use HARO effectively, you must take your time, react quickly, choose wisely, focus on the right things, craft quality pitches, and use the right platforms.
8. Create long-form guides
Long-form guides are in-depth articles that cover a topic in great detail. They are a great way to attract backlinks because they provide valuable information to your audience.
To create a long-form guide, pick an evergreen topic, research your target keyword, find variations of your focus keyword, plan out your long-form content design, and get writing.
When writing a long-form guide, it's important to choose the right content structure, make life easier with a table of contents, use subheadings to facilitate skim reading, study your competitors, research the right keywords, look out for featured snippet opportunities, use relevant calls to action, and consider gated content.
9. Get backlinks from business associations
Many business associations have websites that list their members. If you're a business association member, you can often get a backlink from their website.
To get a backlink from a business association, you can provide testimonials for your suppliers, ask member associations to include your business in their listings, get your linked logo featured on partner websites, and create co-marketing campaigns around newsworthy events.
10. The skyscraper technique
The skyscraper technique is a link-building tactic that involves finding content with many backlinks, creating a significantly better version, and using the better content to acquire those links.
To execute the skyscraper technique, you need to identify content in your niche that has attracted many backlinks, create your version of that piece but make it substantially better, and reach out to those linked to the original content and inform them about your improved version.
Building website backlinks will take some time.
Building backlinks takes time and effort. There is no magic bullet. But if you're patient and consistent, you will eventually see results.
The impact of links on search rankings is typically observed in an average of 3.1 months. 89.2% of link builders say it takes between 1 and 6 months to see the impact of links on search rankings.
Final notes on how to create backlinks
Building backlinks is an essential part of any SEO strategy. Following this article's tips, you can create high-quality website backlinks and improve your search engine rankings.
Remember to focus on creating high-quality content that provides value to your audience. This is the foundation of any successful link-building campaign.
