The process of contacting webmasters or influencers to request backlinks.
Why Link Outreach Matters
Link outreach matters because it’s a direct way to build a high-quality backlink profile. In a competitive niche, you can’t always rely on other websites to link to your content organically. It allows you to take control of your backlink profile and to strategically build links from websites that are relevant to your niche. This is a key part of your off-page SEO strategy. It helps you:
- Build Relationships: It’s a great way to build relationships with other website owners in your niche.
- Increase Visibility: It can lead to a significant increase in qualified traffic and sales.
- Boost Authority: A backlink from a high-quality website is a vote of confidence that signals to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.
It’s a proactive approach to building a resilient and sustainable SEO strategy.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of link outreach is a content and technical SEO strategy that can be applied to any CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily manage their link outreach by using a variety of tools. A good SEO plugin can help you track your backlinks and to ensure you are using a variety of keywords that are relevant to your content.
Shopify
On Shopify, it is essential for your product descriptions and blog posts. 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 streamlined, user-friendly system, but you can still optimize for link outreach. The platform’s built-in SEO tools make it easy 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 link-building 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 link outreach and provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
The way you use it will depend on your industry and your goals.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites can use it 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 it 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 it 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 link outreach. A blog that writes about cooking can get a backlink from a blog that writes about baking.
Do’s and Don’ts of Link Outreach
Do’s
- Do use a link outreach tool. A tool like SEMrush or Ahrefs is a must.
- Do use a clear, compelling pitch. Your pitch should be personalized and should clearly explain why a website should link to your content.
- Do build a relationship. A good outreach campaign is about building a relationship with a website owner, not just about getting a link.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a spammy pitch. A spammy pitch can harm your brand’s reputation and can lead to a negative response.
- Don’t use a link outreach to get a backlink from a low-quality website. This can harm your SEO.
- Don’t ignore the importance of a brand. The Knowledge Graph is a key part of your brand’s reputation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to do link prospecting: 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 link outreach different from guest posting?
It is the broad process of reaching out to a website to get a backlink. Guest posting is a type of link outreach where you write a guest post for a website to get a backlink.
What is the difference between a link outreach and a backlink?
Link outreach is the process. A backlink is the result.
What is a good link outreach pitch?
A good link outreach pitch is a personalized, compelling message that clearly explains why a website should link to your content. You should also ensure that your pitch is respectful and not spammy.
Can a website with a low domain authority still rank?
Yes, a website with a low domain authority can still rank. The key is to create high-quality, in-depth content that is relevant to a user’s search intent.
What is a “link prospect”?
A link prospect is a website or a piece of content that you have identified as a potential source for a backlink. It’s a key part of a successful link-building campaign.
