Your website needs traffic, and one way to bring one to it is by including links or by being linked. Google and other search engines thrive through connections. It’s safe to say that without these, the entire web might not work as we know it.

Links are a means of navigation. Whether you are in forums, social media sites, or a webpage, links redirect you to another page by simply clicking a word or set of words. Link building may be one of the hardest tasks any marketer can have, but this endeavor is doable. In this article, we are showing you link building tips so you can master this art in no time.

What Is Link Building

You click on a link when you want to transfer from one page to another, and so do search engines when they crawl web pages or websites. Link building is adding a link from a site to yours. When a website connects to your or vice versa, there is vote confidence there. Why else would a website link with yours if that site does not consider you an authority in a particular topic, right?

Why You Should Invest in Link Building

Search engines consider links as a strong ranking factor primarily because they use links to either find new pages or identify how well a particular page should rank. When you have backlinks, it’s safe to say search engines can crawl you. Hence, your content gets indexed and possibly ranked.

Remember that four factors come into play when search engines analyze your webpage for ranking:

  1. The amount of content
  2. The quality of links you have on that page
  3. The number of links pointing back to your page
  4. The link quality pointing back to your page

You don’t need to have hundreds of links to rank- a few links from trustworthy and relevant sites would do.

Here Are Your Link Building Tips for Beginners

You just can’t sit and wait until someone links to your content and pray that that content gets the traction it needs. While it’s still challenging to have someone influential mention you on their website and social media platforms, why don’t you try these tips on link building for the meantime?

  1. Brand Mentions

You can ask for a backlink if someone mentions your brand in their posts, especially when they did not add a link to that content.

  1. Site Name Drop

Feature websites, blogs, and personalities and put them in a list article on your website. When you include these things on your list, they can react back by sharing your content on their sites too. The caveat is you might not get high volumes from links since you are targeting a few people or blogs. On the right note, the links may be little, but these are high-quality ones.

  1. Business Directories

If you’re looking for local link building tips, here’s one: you can submit your site to general business directories, but make sure that such directories are relevant to your business and location. It would look odd if you signup for a California business directory when your company is in New York and caters to that location.

  1. Google Alerts

Google Alerts is a free Google tool that sends you email notifications whenever new citations are generated, or when there is new content for a particular keyword.

  1. PR Outreach

You can still follow the traditional PR route- it still works, but you need to be carrying something buzzworthy or controversial.

  1. People You Know

You can ask friends to promote your content. This would work well when you have friends who already have a considerable following. Or you can create exciting content with goals of earning links from people who might find this piece of content interesting. Over time, you’d be able to share your content with influencers in your niche with ease. These people could spread your content to their followers on your behalf. You just have to make sure that these people have websites relevant to yours.

  1. Contrary View

Having a different view can be lonesome and controversial. But for link building, an opposing POV can bring in a lot of links from people who agreed and disagreed.

  1. Name Drop

There is a higher chance of being linked again when someone had already connected with you previously. Instead of pitching again, you can acknowledge them at the first mention of your site. Build a relationship first and update them of your latest posts, services, and products.

  1. How-tos and Tutorials

How-to guides and tutorials are often shared linked to because of the in-depth research and information that these articles went through. Creating one can open a lot of link-building opportunities for your site.

  1. Web 2.0 Pages

In contrast to article directories where you are only allowed text content, in Web 2.0 pages, you can add and embed your links to interactive elements such as images, videos, and the likes to your content.

  1. Wikis

The simplicity of wikis makes it easier for you to use it for backlinking.

  1. Resource Pages

Resource pages are pages that contain links to other websites. It’s a goldmine of information. In most of these pages, you need to pitch your content since resource page owners really want high-quality information. That being said, your first step to being included in their resource pages is having a great article. Once you are included on this page, make sure that you ask for a backlink.

  1. Write Testimonials

You can get links when you write testimonials of products you use. Often, this works when a company is small. There is also a higher possibility of getting a backlink.

  1. Make It Easy for People to Link to You

To some people, adding backlinks to their content can be cumbersome. Make their lives easier by including HTML snippets at the bottom of your content for easy linking.

  1. Build Internal Links

You should never underestimate the power of internal links for these links are indicators of a successful blog. You have full control of them as opposed to the external ones. You can choose the anchor text that accompanies the link, and you even have full control over where to place it in your article. It’s a good practice to add links between pages and to your older content.

  1. Press Releases

You can write a press release about your company and distribute these to the appropriate press release distribution sites. Be sure to include your links in the body and the boilerplate section. Some PR distribution sites are free, while some are not. Search engines like Google ignore press release links as they are unnatural; hence, such links are nofollow. However, a press release can lead to dofollow links because this can get traction from journalists if your timing is right.

  1. Ask Your Customers

Happy customers are also sources of backlinks. When somebody buys from your site, ask for customer reviews from them. Ask them their satisfaction regarding their purchases. You can push it a little further with requests of a blog post from them. This would work quite well if your customer has a massive online following. In return, assure them that you’ll promote that blog post on your own social media channels.

  1.  Link Bait

Identify what visitors would like and give it to them.

  1. Evergreen Content

Write a great piece of content that should be compelling, valuable, authentic, and very informative. It’s this kind of content that people check out again and again because it’s applicable then and now. Evergreen content will always be shared as its appeal does not cater to what’s trendy only.

  1. Ahrefs Method of Broken Link Building

Ahrefs has a broken backlinks feature. Just log-in to your account and go to Ahrefs Site Explorer. Run the “Broken Backlinks” to get a report of all the broken links on your website. Using the WP plugin Redirection, create a 301 redirect for all the broken links. Simply input the Target URL on the plugin to add the redirection.

  1. Comment Links

It’s no longer a great practice to add links when you comment on blogs and websites. Blog comments are nofollow most of the time. However, commenting on posts with authenticity and adding ideas and opinions on blogs has an indirect SEO impact. That alone can help you expand your tribe and aid your SEO efforts.

  1. Images

You can build your own free stock photo using your Flickr account. Make sure that your pictures in there are CC4.0 or the creative commons type with some rights reserved. In each of the photo description boxes, include the phrase “Give credit to [link to your website]. Sign up in Pixsy or any website that allows automated reverse image matches. Once you receive the matches, send out your outreach emails for linking to your Flickr page or your site.

  1. Convert citations

You can find citations in local business directories or wherever there are mentions of name, address, and phone number. These citations often have the nofollow tag. When you find your NAP in citations, just change them into backlinks.

  1. Calendar Event Links

You can find public event calendars offered by many media outlets. Some guides are also formatted like a calendar. These types of content provide links you can tap.

  1. Lists

Lists have a universal appeal that almost everyone loves. Perhaps it’s because of the bite-size bits of information.

  1. Case Studies

Why don’t you try creating case studies to build your links? Case studies are excellent sources of information, and it’s easy to reference, too.

  1. Vimeo Profiles

Sites that showcase videos such as Vimeo only allow nofollow links.

  1. Use Twitter

Search engines are not the only sources of linking targets. You can also find prospects on social media platforms such as Twitter. Your followers, for one, are sources of link opportunities. If they follow you, then, they like your content there, and most likely be able to link or share your content.

  1. Wikipedia

It’s every SEO expert’s dream to have their company or own Wikipedia page. But it’s against Wikipedia guidelines to create your own Wikipedia page. However, such pages build your EAT and your company’s credibility. EAT stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. In the meanwhile, you can cite your content on Wikipedia References section. While this is a nofollow, the link on that section can still bring additional traffic to your site. Make sure the link is relevant and makes sense to the content of that page.

  1. Spy on Your Competitors

Piggyback on your competitor’s techniques in link building. Check their link profiles, social media accounts, and content marketing strategies.

  1. User Rating Reviews

When creating your content, you can link to review sites, but make sure that such reviews are relevant to your products, offers, and niche. You can also review related products on these sites with a link to connect to your pages. Here’s one tip: find products that don’t have reviews yet and be the first one to do so. The first reviews often get viral, and that’s a traction goldmine you can’t afford to lose.

  1. Google My Maps Links

There are many ways you can add your links on Google My Maps. The NAP is one area where the links could be added. In there, you can attach the website URL aside from your business name. Add a compelling business description, and you can embed your link there too.

  1. Reclaim Links that Point to 404s

Link reclamation is one of the SEO link building tips you can employ when links are pointing to your already-non- existent pages. Your page is a 404. You can remedy this by redirecting it yourself or by informing the webmaster to change the links.

  1. Get Interviewed

Interviews are everywhere now. It’s all the rave now. You can get interviewed through texts, podcasts, and more. The great thing about text interviews is you can answer the questions at your own pace. On the other hand, podcasts are like verbal guest posting. The best thing about being interviewed is you are guaranteed of a link for every interview.

  1. Fix Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

Look for grammar errors and spelling mistakes and then notify the owner of the issues. Don’t sound too condescending when you do so; otherwise, you can’t receive a link.

  1. Update Old Content

You can rewrite old content. Search for an industry that often updates information or websites with lots of posts already. For sure, the owner doesn’t have time to update old content—volunteer to do so. Inform the site visitors that such material has been updated. In return, you can request to have your link added to the updated version.

  1. Offline Marketing

While handing out business cards and other traditional offline marketing strategies might be surprising tips for link building, these offline strategies are as effective as the online ones. Offline marketing increases brand awareness, which could lead to websites linking to yours.

  1. The Broken Link Building Method

There are broken links everywhere. Even high-quality pages can contain broken links. One of the easy link-building tips is the broken link building method. This technique lies on the premise that you can help webmasters fix the broken links by suggesting high-value links such as your webpage.

  1. Get More Links

Gratuity works well on the web. If you promoted a product, chances are, that business can support you too. The same goes with links. If a website previously linked to you, you can also use one of their links on your content. The best thing to do if a popular and authority site links to you is to give a feature of that link on your campaigns. If you are doing guest posting, add a link from that post to your other guest posts, which may contain your website link.

  1. Web Tools

A novelty such as free online tools can be your vessel for more backlinks. These tools don’t have to be fancy; they must need to be useful to warrant sharing to and linking with.

  1. Contact Journalists and Influential Bloggers

When you’re still building your credibility, one of the most effective link-building tips is to reach out to influences, journalists, and prominent bloggers. You can ask them to link to you, but you must also give them enough reason to do so. One of the easy link building tips you can use is making sure that the people you’re contacting are also relevant to your niche or market.

  1. Donate

Non-profit organizations and charities have a donor page where you can sponsor for a certain amount in exchange for a mention and backlinks. Most often, these sites give dofollow links. But, you need to remember that Google considers this tactic as a paid link; hence, the search engine considers this a violation of the Google Webmaster Guidelines.

  1. RSS Directories

RSS directories segregate content based on topics, which makes it easier for readers to find your content. But what’s the relation with link building? Some people can scrape your content via RSS feeds, and when you have internal links added to your material, the scraper can copy these links. That’s already linking back to your site.

  1. Create an RSS Feed

WordPress and other content management systems have an in-house RSS feed. If you don’t have one, make sure that you create one. Make sure to add the nofollow tag in the syndicated version. Before you syndicate, your content must first be published and indexed in your site. That being said, don’t forget to add the rel=canonical tag.

  1. Profile Links

When you join some sites, admins on that site can allow you to have a link in your profile, which you can use for link building. Make sure that profiles are relevant to your market to avoid looking spammy.

  1. Backlinks through Infographics

Infographics drive traffic to your website, aside from being a good source of links. Create an eye-catching infographic to lure in visitors. Make sure that your infographics can be shared easily.

  1. Promote Your Content

If you want your content to be seen, you must promote it. Do this by promoting through your social media platforms, content marketing, and the likes. Brand awareness should be strong. Let people know about it by putting your content in front of them.

  1. Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is all about connecting bloggers with traditional journalists. You can be the resource person for a particular topic. Before you subscribe to HARO, make sure that you know the ins and outs of your industry. You’d receive three daily emails on specific subjects from HARO. If you think your knowledge about that topic is enough, you can contact the reporter. Your email should be concise yet informative. Also, provide a short overview of your expertise and links. This is how you can convince the reporter to use your information.

  1. White Papers

White papers may be traditional, but it doesn’t mean you can have links with these kinds of content. Create a white paper that’s high-quality and contains never-been-seen information so people would like to cite it.

  1. Wikipedia Method of Broken Link Building

Wikipedia is one site that has a lot of broken links. You can replicate the contents of that broken link on your website and then suggest your page as the substitute for the broken link. Wikipedia editors add the term ‘dead link’ to some links in the Notes and External Links portion of Wikipedia pages.

The Wikipedia editors give these links a few days before these are removed, giving you time to replicate the content. To search for these deadlinks, you can use this site: wikipedia.org+KW+”dead link” to check which of the Wikipedia pages you can revise. The search may contain hundreds of results, and you need to search for each one.

To make this easier for you, use the CTRL + F for the ‘dead link’ text to do thorough research on the page. Once you’ve identified the page to edit, use The Wayback Machine to check the contents of the dead link and recreate this on your website. Make sure that the material is also relevant to your industry.

  1. Quizzes and Tests

People love taking quizzes. Tap into this advantage by adding a link to the title or in the credits.

  1. Use a Big Name to Lure Big Names

If you know an influencer, you can ask for help in bringing in some more influencers to your campaigns. With their huge following, even with just a mention of your website, people can flock to your site.

  1. Web Directories

There are many kinds of web directories where you can add your domains. There are niche-specific ones that only accept websites that relate to a particular niche. A company directory only has sites for a specific location. An Alumni directory would cater to the alumni of a specific college or university. AS its name connotes, in the paid directory, you have to pay a certain amount to be included in its listing.

  1. The Advantage of Guest Articles

Guest blogging is a sure-fire way to have a backlink. Guest blogging is always on the list of link building tips and tricks of many SEO experts. You can write for a website and, in return, you get to earn links for your site. You must avoid over-optimizing your content or create one that’s low-quality. Also, avoid exact match anchor texts, especially with your external links.

  1. eBook Directories

For you to have backlinks in eBook directories, you need to write one and submit the finished novel to them. Make sure to include your links in the ebook.

  1. Q&A Sites

Questions and answer sites can also give you nofollow links that can drive to your website. Whenever you answer or ask a question on these sites, make sure you mention your website as the source of your answer.

  1. When to Use the Nofollow Attribute

You add the nofollow attribute when you don’t want Google to crawl the target URL. You should do this if you don’t know whether to trust the URL or not because of the sheer number of other webpages adding links in those places. The nofollow attribute is more common than you think. You can always find this on forums, the comment section of blogs and guest books, the signatures of guest posts, Wikipedia, and Yahoo! Answers.

It doesn’t mean you don’t have to comment or communicate in these pages; you must include links to your web pages when trying to answer questions there so you’d be guaranteed a backlink. You won’t look spammy, too.

Conclusion

Following these link building tips can make you an expert in no time! Do you think we missed something or have you got other suggestions? Please tell us in the comments below.