The process of acquiring backlinks from other websites to improve rankings and authority.
Why Link Building Matters
Link building is one of the most important aspects of SEO because it is a direct signal of your website’s authority and trustworthiness. A search engine’s algorithm now uses a variety of factors to determine a website’s ranking, and backlinks are 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 link building is a content and technical SEO strategy that can be applied to any CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily manage their link building by using a variety of plugins. A good SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math 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, link building 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 building. 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 building and provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
The way you use link building will depend on your industry and your goals.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites can use link building 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 link building 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 link building 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 building. A blog that writes about cooking can get a backlink from a blog that writes about baking.
Do’s and Don’ts of Link Building
Do’s
- Do focus on quality over quantity. A single backlink from a high-quality website is more valuable than a hundred from a low-quality website.
- Do 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.
- Do use a link building tool. A tool like SEMrush or Ahrefs is a must.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a black hat link building tactic. This can lead to a severe penalty.
- Don’t buy backlinks. This is a clear violation of Google’s guidelines and can lead to a severe penalty.
- Don’t use a link exchange with a low-quality website. This can harm your SEO.
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
Is link building a ranking factor?
Yes, link building 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 an internal link and an external link?
An internal link connects two pages on the same website. An external link points from your website to a different domain.
What is a “backlink”?
A backlink is a link from one website to another. It is also known as an inbound link.
What is the difference between a natural and an unnatural backlink?
A natural backlink is a link that is earned organically. An unnatural backlink is a link that is bought or earned through a manipulative tactic.
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.
