Off-page SEO covers signals from outside your site (backlinks, brand mentions, social signals). Focus on earning quality links and building a reputable brand.
Why Off-Page SEO Matters
Off-page SEO is a crucial part of a modern SEO strategy because it is a direct signal of your website’s authority. Search engines use a variety of factors to determine a website’s ranking, and a strong backlink profile is one of the most important. A website with a high number of high-quality backlinks is more likely to rank higher in search results. It’s about earning a reputation in your industry. When other websites link to your content, they are essentially vouching for your expertise, which helps to build your site’s E-E-A-T signals.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of off-page SEO is a content and technical SEO strategy that can be applied to any CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can manage their off-page SEO with a variety of plugins. A good SEO plugin can help you track your backlinks and make sure you’re using a variety of keywords that are relevant to your content.
Shopify
On Shopify, off-page SEO is essential for an e-commerce store. You can use a variety of tools to find a backlink from a relevant website. A link from a high-quality blog or a news site can significantly boost your rankings.
Wix
Wix has a simple, user-friendly interface, but you can still optimize for off-page SEO. The platform’s integrated SEO tools make it simple to manage your titles, meta descriptions, and on-page content.
Webflow
Webflow gives you granular control over your website’s design and code, which is perfect for a sophisticated off-page SEO strategy. You can use it to create a perfectly structured page that is optimized for a specific keyword or set of keywords.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that automatically tracks and analyzes your off-page SEO performance and provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
The way you use off-page SEO will depend on your industry and your goals.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites can use off-page SEO to build a stronger brand reputation. A site that sells running shoes could get a backlink from a blog that reviews running shoes.
Local Businesses
Local businesses can use off-page SEO to build a stronger community. A local restaurant could get a backlink from a local newspaper or a local blog.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies can use off-page SEO to build a stronger brand reputation. A company that sells project management software could get a backlink from a blog that reviews project management tools.
Blogs
Blogs are a great way to capitalize on off-page SEO. A blog that writes about cooking can get a backlink from a blog that writes about baking.
Dos and Don’ts of Off-Page SEO
- Focus on quality over quantity: A single backlink from a high-quality website is more valuable than a hundred from a low-quality website.
- Use a variety of link building tactics: A good link-building strategy includes a mix of guest posting, broken link building, and a backlink from a news site.
- Use a link building tool: A tool like SEMrush or Ahrefs is a must.
- Avoid black hat link building tactics: This can lead to a severe penalty.
- Avoid buying backlinks: This is a clear violation of Google’s guidelines and can lead to a severe penalty.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to build a backlink profile: This is a basic but critical step. You cannot improve what you do not measure.
- Ignoring a user’s intent: A backlink should be used with a user’s intent in mind.
- Focusing on a single link building tactic: This is a risky and outdated approach.
FAQs
How is off-page SEO different from on-page SEO?
This is the practice of promoting a website through backlinks and other external factors. On-page SEO is the practice of optimizing the individual pages of a website. A good SEO strategy includes both.
What is a “backlink”?
A backlink is a hyperlink from one website to another. It is a vote of confidence that signals a website’s authority and trustworthiness.
Is off-page SEO a ranking factor?
Yes. Off-page SEO is a major ranking factor. A website with a high number of high-quality backlinks is more likely to rank higher in search results.
What is the difference between a backlink and a local citation?
A backlink is a link from one website to another. A local citation is any online mention of a local business’s NAP—its Name, Address, and Phone number. A local citation may or may not be a backlink.
What are some common off-page SEO tactics?
Common off-page SEO tactics include link building, guest posting, and social media marketing. The goal is to build a high-quality backlink profile and to increase your brand’s visibility.
