We are going to now explain to you some of the best ways that you can involve yourself in link building that you may not necessarily be aware of but that has the potential to greatly enhance your SERP’s.
Black Hat Strategies
Perhaps many of us are familiar with these strategies; this is when you take shortcuts and do things to build backlinks using almost ANY means possible. This is referred to as “linkspam” and it almost always originates from questionable and / or low quality paid linking schemes.
For example, single post blogs that are created and then backlinked to your site and this process is repeated solely for the purpose of gaming the search engines and ranking as quickly as possible.
There are numerous other schemes and I suggest you familiarize yourself with these and NOT repeat them as Google and most other search engines are aware of these and it is just a matter of time before your site is detected using them and you get penalized:
http://moz.com/blog/17-types-of-link-spam-to-avoid
Grey Hat Strategies
This is when you use strategies that are not as obvious as Black hat, but none the less help your site or certain pages rank as quickly as possible, without as much risk. This is usually the middle ground between White hat and Black hat. Here is some good information on Grey hat SEO but always remember that there is risk and you can be reported by competitors who see or detect these tactics:
http://sempson.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-is-gray-hat-seo.html
White Hat Strategies
One of the easiest ways to make sure that you play by the rules is to give Google what it wants. If not you must constantly try to outsmart a room full of PHD’s and highly sophisticated algorithms that change on almost a daily basis. Not a really good idea now is it?
This isn’t complicated; the link below will provide you with excellent content, information from Matt Cutts, and exactly what Google is looking from you and your website. This way of doing linking really works well, especially if you make it significantly easier for Google to do it’s job:
https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/35769
1) Broken Link Building
Broken link building may be one of the most effective White hat ways to build high quality backlinks. The best part is when you search out these links you can essentially co-opt them and fix them so webmasters who are still linked to these pages benefit.
The Concept
In simple terms, you search out broken, 404, abandoned or otherwise forgotten links in your market, contact the website owner, and then provide them with an alternate contact that redirects to one of your resources.
By giving the website owner of the broken link an immediate solution to their problem, and piggybacking one of your links and resources, you offer a win/win and gain a high-quality backlink and resolve the issue for the webmaster.
There are tools you can use to find broken links. If you’re interested in finding out more about the exact steps necessary to implement this process, including the tools you need, please check out the link below and look over this very interesting article on how you can capitalize on broken link building:
http://moz.com/blog/the-broken-link-building-bible
2) Resource link building
Getting your links listed on top resource pages is a great way to build backlinks and also drive additional traffic from people that are interested in following up on the information and resource that is being presented.
One of the best ways to do this is to analyze the resource that you wish to add a link to an offer additional content further support page in question.
For example, you wish to add a resource link to a Wikipedia page. Ihe resource should be directly related to the content and it should support the rest of the page; as well as provide an opportunity for you to help the admin(s).
There is an etiquette involved with this entire process and specific set of steps that you should follow when attempting to get backlinks from top related resource pages.
The link below goes into greater detail and explains exactly how you can support top resources, flow page rank to your website all the while supporting and improving resource documentation.
Finally, there is nothing wrong with acquiring content from around the web, putting it on one of your pages and adding one of your links to this page. This allows you to combine good content with a resource link you can place along with other resource content.
http://moz.com/blog/future-of-link-building
3) Infographics For Backlinks
An infographic is a chart, graph or other colorful representation of statistical data that teaches and informs about a certain topic.
Creating an infographic can get you thousands of backlinks because it can easily go viral as it is shared by bloggers, social media platforms and just about anyone who supports the information.
For example, the infographic here is about how infographics can benefit people who create and then share them. When you post the infographic, you can then share the link with the world who can then link back (give you a backlink) to you.
Some of the most viral images online are infographics. Just imagine how many backlinks you can achieve by adding an infographic to your site and then sharing it to the world? Remember to create trendy, information filled and niche focused infographics so that the world will LOVE to share it.
Have a look at these sources for more information:
Sources:
- http://blog.crazyegg.com/2013/05/10/infographics-ultimate-guide/
- http://authoritylabs.com/blog/effective-infographic-outreach-strategies-can-use/
4) Image Link Building
Since all the changes with Google Penguin and Panda, a lot of people are under the impression that link building is pretty much dead now. This isn’t exactly true because graphics, photographs and eye-catching color combinations will always be looked at. Most people are visual these days rather than big readers.
While some of the old ways of doing things have dramatically changed, this doesn’t mean you still can’t have successful links building your website presence. What’s really happened with Google changing the algorithms; we now have to work harder and smarter if we want to recognized as an authority on our website.
There are some important rules people need to follow, to be successful when it comes to link building. Obviously there are some people who already have successful websites, along with a lot of traffic to their site. Some of these people have been around for years and have built a highly trafficked audience. In this case you need to watch what they are doing and follow the same rules.
Here are some ideas to help you link back to your website in a more effective manner that Google likes to see:
- Press releases have become one of the most important things is now that you can do to draw more people to your website. This is because written content is king when it comes to dominating a niche.
- Purchasing other sites that already have a presence in the algorithms with a medium to high ranking, will obviously help. Of course I understand that not everybody has that kind of cash laying around.
- Affiliates can make your business grow quickly. If you have a product they really want to sell on your behalf, let them. Don’t be stingy with the percentages the affiliates will make. The higher the percentage the more interested they become. They will be happy to link your website if they have a good arrangement with you as an affiliate.
- Partnerships can really help grow your presence on the Internet. The partner you choose should already have some kind of presence that other people are aware of. Building upon each other is a fantastic way to link back from their site to yours. Make a list of some of the people you would like to partner with an contact them.
- Good quality content is crucial to ranking higher and building your website presence. You can start linking a blog you create from places like “Blogger” or “WordPress.” Both of these sites have enormous traffic flowing through them every day. Your content needs to be interesting with at least 1000 word blog, which includes graphics, photos and even videos.
- Google likes to see content on websites. Cheap spammy links are no longer acceptable and your content must be of the highest caliber now. Google will quickly push down spammy websites, so don’t do this if you want them to love you.
5) Guest Posting For Backlinks
Inviting other people to join your blog or website as a guest writer is a fantastic way not only to reach more people but it also builds healthy relationships where other people want to help you succeed. The old quote which says “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,” actually works with guest posts.
Putting out a call to action where the guest writer knows exactly the type of topics you would like to see more, of will attract the right kind of people who need the exposure while helping you build your website presence. Make sure you have good headings on your guest posts that people will enjoy reading.
These need to be good quality posts with great ideas, informative suggestions, and solutions which the average person constantly seek to learn more about.
A short post from someone who is just trying to gain some attention should be automatically rejected. The content needs to be targeted with specific criteria for the invited guest post.
Bulleted points in the post are always helpful because most of the time readers would much rather scan over an article than to read the whole thing. Bulleted points are often filled with great ideas and useful suggestions. Readers like these bulleted points because it allows them to take the best thoughts they need to be successful away from the post.
While you are trying to encourage others to write on your website, you should be writing to bigger blogs and give them a run down on the things you do.
Below is an example of the kind of E-Mail you should send out to be a guest writer:
Hello my name is Sam and I run a site called “SamsLinkingWebsite.Com.” On average I reach approximately 10,000 people a month. I would like to build a bigger website presence and I am also a huge fan of your site. I have been looking over your content for about two years now. I was wondering if you would consider using me as a guest blogger at some point on your site? Would you allow me to add in a link back to my website at the end of the post?
I have included a few links to my blogging regarding the kind of content I write about. As you will see we have similar interests and styles of writing.
Please get back to me at your earliest convenience where we can discuss further, the details you would like to see on a guest post from me. I also have some other great ideas I would like to share with you possibly in the near future.Best Wishes
Sam
6) Competitor Link Building
The first thing that you need to do is figure out who your competition is. If you’re a shoe designer most people will automatically say Nike is my biggest competitor. Well you probably right but that’s just one name in a huge list. What you really want to do is aim for the middle of the road. That’s a more realistic approach and something you truly could compete with.
What you really want to do is aim for the middle of the road. That’s a more realistic approach and something you truly could compete with.
Open Site Explorer will help you to break down who your real competitors are https://moz.com/researchtools/ose/. You can create easily a campaign and then take a look at who you are competing against. This website gives you a great in-depth look at how you can improve on your own link building and website presence.
All you need to is put in their website URL and go from there. If you notice open site will let you know about keyword difficulty, rank tracker and there’s even a learning tool which will guide you through SEO, social media and Link building.
Breaking down the best keywords is important for people who are searching for more information on your specific products. Anyone can throw out a bunch of useless keywords but they may not be the ones which will drive traffic to your website. Homing in on your competitors and using similar keywords can improve your presence on the Internet.
The three most important criteria you need to look at from your competitors are:
- Choose three top competitors who are doing the same things as you. Write down what you like about their website, their keywords, content and articles, the type of coloration and graphics on these websites.
- Figure out the most important links you need by using a graph of your competitors statistics. By doing a little research you can follow in their footsteps and even supersede their current views.
- Take about 100 keywords the three top competitors are using and reuse them into your top 10 SERP keywords. Yes, this is can take a little work on your part but the end result can have you superseding these competitors’ websites.
7) Social Media Links
While you’re looking your competitor’s keywords don’t forget to pay attention to the social media pages these websites also have. Do they have a large Facebook page and what kind of posts are they putting there on the page every day? How far apart throughout the day are the posts?
How many shares and comments are they getting? This kind of information will tell you everything you need to know about the type of content, responses from other people and how it works.
It is a fact these days that most people prefer graphics over long drawn out posts. So give them what they want through social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
8) Link Baiting Ideas
Brainstorming ideas and new concepts is one of the best ways to link build. You need to have a plan set that everyone can follow along, especially if you have a team environment.
If you are a solo marketer the best advice I can give you is to research thoroughly what is going on throughout social media and other blogging websites. “Imitation is the best form of flattery,” so the old quote goes. In similar cases, imitation could drive thousands of more people to your website.
I am going to provide you a list of ideas to help you get going with your link bait:
- Make a list of approximately 30 to 50 ideas that you can come up with. One or two ideas are just not going to work. You need continual backup plans.
- Don’t get distracted with fancy tools and applications you can use on your website or social media. Keep it simple because this always works well too.
- Ask friends, family, and co-workers to help you brainstorm. When people start talking to each other they can come up with some really great ideas.
- Once you have some good ideas on the table, put a list together of the top 10 and start working on these ideas first. You can always go back to your list for the other ideas you came up with.
- Stop sitting in front of a desk all the time trying to figure out new ideas. Sometimes the best solutions come to us when we least expect them to appear. Usually, it’s not in front of a desk so take a trip to the Local Park or lake and sit for a while. You might surprise yourself as to what you will come up with.
9) Interview Link Building
If you are trying to have more momentum in your business and increase your customer base, interviewing other people on their success can make a great blog post and create interest with your customers.
We all want to be successful but some of us may feel like we are currently in a rut; so having someone to look up to and write about is a great idea. There may be a local community member who has long since retired but their success in business was a fantastic model for you to follow. Another person’s perspective can help you understand why things may not be working for you as well is you want them. Even if they are
Another person’s perspective can help you understand why things may not be working for you as well is you want them. Even if they are
Another person’s perspective can help you understand why things may not be working for you as well is you want them. Even if they are old school there is something to be said about the success they achieved. They obviously had a plan that was implemented and the end result was a success. Interviewing someone like this is smart.
The person you interview doesn’t have to be super famous or even out of reach. Writing about their story can actually bring more interest into your business because it adds a fresh perspective for other people to copy or follow. Over time you can add other stories from successful people. Everyone has a secret recipe in what made their business successful, all you need do is tap into it.
10) Local Link Building
With all the changes that Google has introduced in the last 18 months, marketing has also changed in the aspect of reaching local customers. Some of the old ways of marketing are once again becoming more popular. This doesn’t mean you need to hand out flyers in your local community but there are some things you can do to invite in more business.
If you are not a part of a local group of a Rotary club, Better Business Bureau or a member of the Chamber of Commerce you should reconsider these options. Local people are always eager to help each other because they realize in order to see their community grow they have to support each other in business.
So how can you inside more customers through local means?
- You might want to consider a partnership with a local community member. This would be a very important move if you are new to the area. Someone who has lived in the community for many years usually knows just about everyone. Introductions are very important to a new business and having this kind of support is incredibly important.
- Consider offering other vendor’s in your area discounts if they purchase products with you. Discount coupons always work well and people like them, so give them what they want.
- Get involved with a local charity or a political event that can propel you as a known person in the community. It shows people you are willing to be a support mechanism with issues and you wholeheartedly support what is happening.
- Some of the local community events you can get involved with are things like nature preserves, non-profits, festivals, summer events, encouraging more tourism, local theatre, and even trade shows.
- Offer the local college student discounts, maybe even a part-time internship. Take a look and see if the local community college has a scholarship basis and help support this. .edu websites usually have a lot of information that you could tap into. If you can’t find any information on your local community college call up the office and find out what they have going.
11) Testimonial Link Building
One of the most overlooked ways to build links is to request to do a testimonial support somebody’s product or service in exchange for them making your name and your website. This is standard practice in the industry and the fact that you can write a glowing testimonial almost guarantees that it will be posted on someone’s website along with your name, information and of course a link back to your website to prove that you are a genuine person making a real testimonial!
Getting these wonderful types of backlinks only requires that you locate some of the better websites that have products and services to sell, make a small purchase and then write a glowing testimonial along with your content information. This is an absolute win/win for both websites. You really should give this a try because this may be one of the most powerful and simple ways to get several high PR backlinks each and every day.
12) Link Reclamation
I’ve included a link below so that you can further delve into exactly what link reclamation is; essentially this is when you search out anyone who’s making a mention of your products and services and then correct any errors they may have when linking back to your website. This is a particularly useful technique if you have a large brand or are associated with one. You can learn more information about this below:
http://moz.com/blog/link-reclamation-whiteboard-friday
13) Contests/Giveaways
Contests and giveaways are always exciting online. This is because people love the opportunity for a chance to really get something for free or when a contest. Most people will freely link to any contest page that you have and post it everywhere especially if there is little or no barrier to receiving something free or entering a contest.
Another effective use of this is to create an image of a prize that you can award to websites, such as an image of a trophy, a congratulations image and explaining that their website was selected for something related to their niche and they have been awarded some kind of citation. Of course, the image is backlinks to your website which explains the contest and give other people an opportunity to enter the contest and of course visit your website.
Remember that before you create any contest there should be something that associates with your products and services. So if you’re trying to sell web host packages, one of the prizes should be, you guessed it, a web hosting package!
You can get pretty creative with this so I suggest you use your imagination and also visit the link below so that you can read more information about giveaways and how to use them to push additional traffic and high quality backlinks to your site:
http://moz.com/ugc/giveaways-for-seo-the-almost-definitive-guide
14) Offline Link Building
Your probably wondering how exactly you can build backlinks when focusing on off-line opportunities. Let me give you one example and then I want you to check out the case study below so that you can see several ways that you can take advantage of off-line business relationships, look like you’re being a wonderful person, and then taking advantage of linking opportunities from all over your town!
Imagine someone that has decided to attend the typical college University. Once they signed up for the school, they are told that they have access to the University website and can post a personal blog and create webpages if they wish.
One savvy Internet marketer realized that backlinks from educational University are among some of the best PR high-quality links that you can have. So now the new student has created multiple pages that point to several of his own business websites. We have even heard of people doing this simply to build backlinks to other businesses and charge them a fee.
If you know anything about educational backlinks, (.edu) they are some of the most sought after and typically in big demand by most webmasters. This is just one example of how you can use off-line opportunities to build some really great backlinking. Now have a look at the case study below:
http://moz.com/ugc/offline-is-the-new-online-link-building-strategy-case-study
Additional Important Link Building Strategies
Diversity: the word diversity means uniqueness, different and unlike. In marketing, you have to think outside of the box. This means coming up with new angles to help you grow your business.
Just because you have an Internet marketing business does not mean all of your success will come from this one stream. Even though the Internet has made marketing possible from one corner of the earth to the other, it is diversity that pushes businesses into greater success.
People who have the greatest success usually have other businesses they can use, to help them propel themselves in other aspects. You may sell hardware to the local community through a store during the day, but you may also be selling hardware online that ship product out all over the world and still have a successful marketing plan through constant blogging. This is what diversity about so doesn’t confine your ideas to one specific thing.
Relevancy: your content needs to be relevant to what you are doing. Obviously, if you are selling hardware at the local store, you don’t want to be blogging about candles your wife may be selling at 50% off.
If your customers have come to know you as the hardware marketing guy then that’s what they should expect to see. People will associate your name and face by the products and services you sell. If branding your face online, through local media or advertising in newspapers then that’s what your customers will expect to see. So you need to stay niche specific.
That doesn’t mean you still can’t sell your wife’s candles. Start a new blog and promote her and the candle business that way. Do some keyword research, maybe advertise in the local newspaper and start from there. If you already own a store, dedicate a small corner where you can easily promote her business.
I can’t stress this enough to stay niche specific for each website you own. If you need more traffic on one website you can link them together, by using a small advertisement on a sidebar. Why not try a giveaway offer because people usually like this option.
Now Monitor Your Links
Obviously one of the most important aspects of building backlinks is to make sure that they are eventually being picked up by the search engines.
When you build backlinks, it can take some time before the search engines realize, and index your links, so monitoring your backlinks is always important.
Please also keep in mind that ongoing monitoring of your backlinks is essential especially if you have an arrangement with other webmasters for your links to remain on their website.
For example, you do routine guest posting on several top blogs so each month you check to make sure that your backlinks are still active in exchange for the content that you delivered to these places.
You can also keep an eye on broken links this way and other things that may eventually become unviable. Broken links are never fun for anyone nor are backlinks that eventually are worthless contingent on certain situations that may arise with other websites.
