Google is all about that backlink love! Creating top-notch content is great and all, but without those backlinks, you won't be hitting the top of the search rankings. Google wants to see others linking to your site, showing that your content is appealing to the masses.
What exactly are these backlinks?
Backlinks act as Google's way of recognising your website as a valuable and sought-after resource. The quality and quantity of these backlinks are key factors in determining your search ranking. By obtaining more high-quality backlinks, you can greatly increase your site's visibility and authority. Website owners can improve their site's ranking by securing links from reputable and top-tier websites.
Backlinks are like the VIP passes to the top of Google's search rankings. They show Google that your website is a hot commodity that everyone wants to link to. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more visibility and authority your site gains. Google itself stresses the importance of getting backlinks from top-notch websites, as this can significantly boost your site's ranking.
So, what exactly is this link building thing all about?
Building links is like being a social butterfly but in the digital world. You've got to actively charm other websites into linking back to your site. Now that you understand just how vital these links are, how can you make those valuable connections? In today's crowded digital landscape, it's crucial to take a proactive approach to snagging those links. People these days are more likely to share content on social media rather than link back to it, so you've got to hustle to find those linking opportunities.
While blog posts naturally draw in links like bees to honey, not all pages on your site are as linkable. Product pages, for example, may not get as much link love. But hey, they're still crucial for conversions, so it's important to give them some link-building attention too. By reaching out for product reviews, you can give these less "linkable" pages a chance to shine.
The secret sauce to successful link building? It's all about mixing top-notch content creation with strategic link-building efforts. If you're focusing solely on SEO without giving link building some love, you might not see the results you're after. By blending both elements into your strategy, you can boost your site's authority and visibility in those search rankings.
How many backlinks does your content need to snag that coveted page one ranking?
Ever wonder how many backlinks it takes to snag a top spot in search results? Well, to make waves in the rankings, you'll need to aim for a similar number of links as those already on the coveted first page. There's no magic formula to skyrocket your webpage to the top instantly. However, to catch Google's eye and stand out among the search elite, you'll want to secure a comparable amount of backlinks to those already dominating the first page. By understanding the backlink quantity of these top-ranking pages, you'll have a solid benchmark to strive for.
Let's break down how to determine the baseline target for the number of links needed on a specific webpage.
To get started, select a broad topic that you want to establish your expertise in – one with a variety of long-tail variations. For instance, if your company specialises in business software solutions, consider focusing on a topic like "business software".
After choosing your broad topic, enter it into Google in an incognito window and conduct a search. Take note of the top 10 results that appear. Then, one by one, analyze the URLs using a link-checking tool. Moz offers a useful tool called Open Site Explorer, which reveals the number of root domains or websites linking to a specific URL.
Once you've done this for all 10 results, calculate the average number of domains that link to these sites. That will
give you a general idea of how many links you'll need in order to compete with the results on the first page of
Google.
Once you've determined the optimal number of links your content needs to thrive in search results, you may wonder, "How do I pinpoint the right piece of content to house these links?" Look no further than the top 10 search results for your chosen topic. Dive into each URL and analyse the content. What recurring themes and elements do you notice? Pay attention to the information presented, the vocabulary used, the content structure, and its length.
Avoid the temptation to create content that is drastically different or unique. Instead, aim to align with the commonalities found in top-ranking search results. Whether it's lengthy blog posts, engaging videos, or comprehensive resource lists, mirroring what works for successful sites is key in optimising your SEO strategy.
Before embarking on a link-building journey, ensure your content resonates with the established norms of top-ranking pages. Whether you enhance existing content or create new material, aligning with successful search results is pivotal for SEO success.
Building strong connections for link building
When it comes to link building, most people get stuck around scaling link building. This is often because people
focus on scaling individual link building tactics, instead of building and scaling relationships.
Relationships have everything to do with building links. In order for a blog post to link to your website, you need to have a relationship with the person writing it. To get a publication to let you publish a news piece on their site, you need to have a relationship with a news outlet.
Link building is about building meaningful relationships. Link building is about carefully and tactfully building meaningful relationships with the right people who can and want to link to your website.
What connections does your company already cultivate with journalists, bloggers, influencers, and potential linkers to your site? Who do you aspire to establish relationships with, and how can you provide value to kickstart these connections? By nurturing meaningful bonds with individuals who can link back to your site from reputable sources, you'll effectively expand your link-building efforts over time.
Collaborating with prominent publications and influencers may pose challenges, but the rewards are certainly worth the effort due to the quality of the backlinks and the opportunity to reach new audiences for your brand.
One effective method to establish relationships with journalists is by responding to press request alerts. These alerts serve as a valuable resource for acquiring high-quality links and initiating connections with journalists, paving the way for future link-building opportunities.
Journalists send out these requests regularly through specific services, which you can subscribe to in order to receive them in your inbox. Upon receiving a relevant request, read it promptly and provide a quick response with a well-crafted quote that addresses the journalist's needs. By being responsive and delivering the information they seek promptly, you increase your chances of earning a link from a reputable publication.
While there are numerous alert services available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, the key is to select one that aligns with your needs and preferences.
Navigating through the influx of press alert tools can be overwhelming, as you may receive hundreds of requests daily, requiring swift action to be considered. Many individuals may shy away from responding to these requests due to the sheer volume of alerts they receive.
To smoothly sail through this process and up your chances of catching the eye of journalists, here's the game plan:
1. Kick things off by getting yourself hooked up with a single press request alert service.
2. Give yourself a week or two to get cozy with the requests without hitting that reply button just yet.
3. Round up the MVPs in your team who can drop some wisdom bombs with their quotes.
4. Get those quotes rolling from your experts on different topics they excel in and sort them neatly by category.
5. When you're ready to respond to relevant press requests, introduce yourself and give a quick rundown of the quote.
By following these steps and cozying up to journalists through your responses, you'll gradually crank up your link-building game and give your SEO strategy a boost.
