Backlinks (literally the ‘links back’ to your website from other sites) are an element in search engine algorithms that demonstrate you have quality content. The more reputable the sites that link to you are, the better.
Short of begging web editors (please don’t do that), how do you get quality backlinks? The good news is that it’s not as hard as you may think!
Quality backlink creation is an essential component of any successful SEO strategy. Building backlinks boosts your website rankings and helps establish authority within your industry.
Here’s a breakdown of 5 steps you should follow for a successful backlink strategy. And one thing you should absolutely avoid doing:
Step 1: High-Quality Content Creation
Create backlinks with quality content that solves problems and provides valuable information, attracting others to link back to your website.
Easy right?
From the 2016 Demand Gen Report, 47% of B2B buyers read 3-5 blog posts or content pieces prior to talking with a salesperson
Don’t overthink it! If you’re trying to figure out how to create backlinks, start by focusing on the quality of the content you’re producing. Publish content people want to read and share, not just what you want them to read.
People have limited time, they don’t want to read an 800-word sales pitch about how wonderful your service/product/concept is.
- Don’t sell, inform. Thinly veiled sales pitches are condescending, and no one appreciates being patronized.
- Create content designed to solve your customers’ problems.
- How can you help them? How will this impact their day-to-day life?
Step 2: Leverage Your Business Network
Use your existing business network to find people willing to trade guest blog spots for mutual gain.
Identify Potential Guest Blogging Partners within Your Industry
Find industry influencers, complementary businesses, or even competitors willing to collaborate on specific topics. Or, you can search keywords like “write for us” or “guest post.”
- Ensure the partner website has a good domain authority (DA) score.
- Analyze their audience demographics to ensure they align with yours.
- Review their blog guidelines before pitching ideas to tailor your proposal accordingly.
Offer Valuable Insights through Well-Researched Articles
Successful guest blogging requires providing valuable insights backed by thorough research, so:
- Opt for a theme that is relevant to both the intended readership and the website’s followers.
- Incorporate data-driven insights from credible sources such as industry reports, surveys, and case studies – always remember to cite them properly.
- Include actionable tips and advice that readers can apply in their own businesses.
Collaborate on other content formats like webinars, podcasts, or co-authored whitepapers to reach new audiences and demonstrate your expertise and thought leadership within the industry.
When you’re identifying where to potentially guest post, don’t put too much thought into the backlink itself. Instead, focus on finding a quality website. Think of this site as an opportunity to get in front of new customers.
Not only is widening your audience great for business, but it increases your chance of securing backlinks even further.
Step 3: Gain Backlinks With the Skyscraper Technique
Boost your website’s SEO performance with the powerful Skyscraper Technique.
Effectively, ‘skyscraping’ is the act of taking an existing article/blog and improving upon it, either by updating or expanding the information that it contained.
This is particularly effective if you’ve found an old article because there is bound to be lots of new content you can add to it. Note, when we say ‘add,’ we’re not literally talking about taking someone else’s work and sticking something on the end.
You’ll need to totally rewrite the content, using the original information as inspiration.
Research Top-Performing Content
Use industry sites, Google searches, and other tools to find and identify popular, well-linked articles within your industry niche.
Improve Upon Existing Resources
“Skyscrape” by creating an even better version of the content, updating outdated information, providing new insights or perspectives, and presenting the information in a visually appealing format.
- Add value: Offer additional tips or advice not covered in the original article.
- Incorporate multimedia: Enhance the user experience by including videos, images, charts/graphs, etc.
- Create longer-form content: Longer articles tend to rank higher on search engines due to their comprehensive nature.
Request a Link Back
Reach out to the original publishers or websites that have linked to the existing resources with a personalized email explaining how you’ve created an updated version of their content with added value for their readers.
Emphasize the benefits of linking back to your piece as it provides additional information or insights not found in the original article.
Consider reaching out to other industry influencers who might be interested in sharing your new resource with their audience to gain even more quality backlinks and increase visibility within your niche.
Step 4: Get Interviewed, Especially by Podcasts
Podcast interviews are a great way to create quality backlinks and boost your website’s SEO.
Whether it’s print or podcast, getting interviewed is great for SEO. When you’re interviewed on a podcast the show notes are attached to the audio file, so essentially, it’s like a mini-blog which will include a link to your website.
Start by finding someone in your industry who has been interviewed on podcasts before, then search by their name to get a list of the podcast interviews they’ve done. This will give you a ready-made shortlist of podcasts to approach.
The bonus for this method is that the conversion traffic is higher than if it were an article with a similar-sized audience. Listeners who tune in to a regular podcast have built a relationship with the presenter; your interview with that person is the equivalent of an endorsement from a trusted friend.
Research Relevant Podcasts
Use platforms like Listen Notes or search within iTunes or Spotify to find podcasts that align with your industry and target audience.
Prepare Engaging Talking Points
Discuss current trends and common pain points, and showcase case studies to provide value during the interview and increase the likelihood of being invited onto other podcasts.
- Create a list of potential discussion topics based on recent developments within your niche.
- Analyze common pain points experienced by customers and provide expert insights.
- Showcase case studies where you’ve helped clients overcome obstacles using creative strategies.
Create supplementary content such as blog posts or infographics to provide additional opportunities for backlinks.
Share your podcast interview on social media and include a link in relevant blog posts or email newsletters to drive traffic and increase the likelihood of other websites linking back to your content.
Remember: Podcast interviews are an effective way to build quality backlinks and position yourself as an industry expert.
Step 5: The Power of Ultimate Guides for High-Quality Backlinks
Okay, prepare yourself because this is the most labor-intensive suggestion on our list.
Is there a topic in your industry that has a lot to it? Something that people need help learning about? If so, write an Ultimate Guide!
The key to writing an ultimate guide is to leave nothing out. Make it a resource that genuinely covers everything someone might need to know on that subject.
If you can list an awesome ultimate guide on your website, people WILL link to it.
Yes, it’s going to take time to write (we’re talking 4000+ words usually), but if it’s a one-stop shop for what people need to know, they’re going to be linking to it.
Create an ultimate guide to attract high-quality backlinks and establish your website as a go-to resource in your industry.
Thorough Research is Key
Identify common pain points and gather data from credible sources.
It’s all about answering the questions your customers have and demonstrating thought leadership.
Make Complex Concepts Easy to Understand
Use clear language, concise explanations, and visual aids like infographics or charts.
- Listicles: Break down complicated subjects into easily digestible lists.
- Tutorials: Create step-by-step instructions for solving specific problems.
- Case Studies: Provide real-life examples with detailed results and takeaways.
Spread the word about your guide on social media and get influencers in your field to promote it among their followers.
Ultimate guides establish you as an authority and provide valuable information that readers will want to share and link back to for years to come.
Publish Long-form Articles Addressing Industry Pain Points
Construct backlinks with thorough, thoroughly-investigated articles that focus on certain difficulties or struggles within your field.
- Identify common problems: Research frequently asked questions or common concerns within your niche.
- Create actionable solutions: Provide practical advice backed up with data or case studies.
- Promote effectively: Share your article through social media and relevant online communities.
And now, the STUPID WAY to go about building backlinks.
The Stupid Way: Buying Backlinks
Nothing worth doing in life is easy.
It’s tempting to go out and buy backlinks. And there are teams out there that will buy you high-quality backlinks, and it will work. However, buying backlinks is a tricky business. This method costs a lot of money, and it can be hard to find reliable options.
Unless you understand completely how the backlinks you are buying are created/negotiated, it is best to avoid it completely.
BONUS TIP: Add Shareable Infographics with Valuable Information
Generate quality backlinks with visually appealing infographics packed with useful data or insights related to your industry.
- Research relevant data: Gather statistics, trends, or other information of interest to your target audience.
- Create a visually appealing design: Use an online tool like Canva to create an eye-catching infographic layout.
- Promote strategically: Share your infographic on social media and reach out to influencers in your niche.
Incorporate these strategies into your content marketing efforts to increase the chances of earning high-quality backlinks.
FAQs for Quality Backlink Creation
How to Build Backlinks
To build quality backlinks, focus on creating high-quality content that others naturally want to link to. Reach out to industry influencers and websites for guest blogging opportunities or collaborations. Utilize the Skyscraper Technique by improving upon existing top-performing content in your niche and promoting it strategically.
What Makes a Good High-Quality Backlink?
A high-quality backlink comes from a reputable, authoritative website within your industry or niche. It should be contextually relevant, meaning the linked content is related to the topic of both the source and target pages. The anchor text should accurately describe the linked content without being overly optimized with keywords.
Why Are Quality Backlinks Important?
Quality backlinks are crucial because they signal trustworthiness and authority to search engines like Google. They improve your website’s visibility in search results, leading to increased organic traffic and better rankings for targeted keywords. High-quality links also help establish credibility among users who visit your site through those referrals.
Which Is the Most Effective Backlink?
The most effective backlink is one that comes from an authoritative domain with high relevance to your own website’s subject matter. This type of link carries more weight in terms of SEO value compared to low-authority sites or unrelated sources, as it signals strong endorsement from trusted experts within your field.
Other link-building opportunities include finding broken links on other websites and offering to replace them with content from your site. Inbound links from resource pages and guest posts on relevant sites can also be valuable for building a strong backlink profile.
Creating content that is shareable on social media and utilizing content marketing strategies can also help earn links from other sites. By consistently producing relevant content, you can attract links naturally over time.
Creating Quality Backlinks for Better SEO
We listed a few great ways to get started but there are plenty more.
It’s important to remember that link building should be a part of your overall SEO strategy. But it should not be the sole focus. By creating relevant content and building relationships in your industry, you can improve your website’s rankings and establish your brand as a trusted authority.
Building a high-quality backlink network takes time and dedication. Remember to always prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to backlinks.
If you need help creating quality, SEO-optimized, relevant content, okwrite is here. Our team of expert writers and editors has experience across a wide range of industries and can strategize and write content that speaks to any audience.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you take your first steps in your backlink creation strategy.
