Backlinks are one of the most important signals Google uses when assessing a site and determining where in the search engine rankings it believes it deserves to be listed.
The number of backlinks you attract and the authority of the sites that link to you tell the search engines what type of reputation you have.
Therefore, building backlinks is one of the most effective ways to help your site stand out from the crowd.
Here is a look at some of the most useful types of backlinks for boosting your SEO efforts.
Editorial Backlinks
Editorial backlinks are undoubtedly the best type of backlinks a website can obtain from an SEO standpoint, particularly when they come from an authoritative source.
When a website is cited within the content on a high-authority site, these backlinks can drive a significant amount of traffic back to your site, in addition to enhancing the reputation of the site in Google.
The best way to obtain this type of backlink is by writing high-quality content that is useful and engaging so other sites will want to cite as a source.
Backlinks from Business Profiles
When building up the digital footprint of your business, creating business profiles is another way to obtain backlinks for a relatively low effort.
Business listing websites such as CrunchBase are a good place to create profiles for your organization, and it generally takes just a few minutes to set up.
It is important not to go overboard and create too many links of this type. Instead, focus on the top business directories in your industry to help search engines view your business as one that is well established in your industry.
Backlinks from Guest Blogging
Guest blogging is one of the most common tactics for building links to a website. These types of links can be fairly easy to obtain; simply reach out to another website and offer to create a guest post for them on a topic that is relevant to their readers in exchange for receiving a backlink to your own site.
Many websites are open to this type of arrangement as they receive free content while you receive a free backlink. This requires conducting some research to find the most effective websites to focus your guest blogging efforts on.
It is important to perform your own outreach to high-authority sites in your niche. In addition to potentially helping you obtain a guest posting opportunity, it can also enable you to form strong relationships with others in your industry that may be helpful in the future.
Many professionals use SEO tools to identify blogs that publish content relevant to their niche and have a high domain rating.
For newer sites or those that are just beginning their link building efforts, it is best to focus on sites with domain readings in the mid-range as sites with a high domain authority may be more difficult to obtain links from, while those with very low domain ratings may not help raise your site’s profile and are not worth the effort.
After identifying good candidates, spend some time reviewing what types of topics they cover. Avoid offering to write a blog post for them about a topic they have covered recently. Instead, look for gaps in their coverage and pitch new topics that are related to their existing content.
It can be helpful to create a pitch with some title ideas, the target audience, and some keywords for each one, along with the word count you feel is appropriate.
This shows that you have done some research and also helps both parties get a clear idea of what to expect from the arrangement.
If you already have an online following or portfolio, be sure to provide them with links to it in your pitch and let them know that you will share the content with your audience once it has been posted.
Backlinks from Free Tools
Another good way to attract backlinks is by creating and offering a free tool that is valuable to those in your industry. This can attract attention to your brand as well as backlinks from other sites that can create a lasting impact on your search engine optimization efforts.
Consider creating tools such as cost calculators that are relevant and useful to those in your industry. Another good approach is offering a pared-down version of a paid tool your company offers and promoting it on sites that target a similar audience to yours; SEO tools can help you find good targets.
Discuss Your Backlinking Strategy with the SEO Professionals
Earning a coveted space at the top of the search engine results can help your company reach its target audience and achieve its business objectives.
To find out more about developing an effective backlinking strategy that will elevate you to the top of the results, contact the SEO professionals at 321 Web Marketing to request a consultation.
