So, you've finally launched your amazing new website! You've poured your heart and soul into the content, the design, and the user experience. But there's one crucial question that remains - How do I get backlinks?
In the context of SEO, backlinks refer to hyperlinks on other websites that point back to your website, which signifies the relevance and credibility of your content. When another website links to yours, it's like they're saying, "Hey, this website has some great information. You should check it out!. When search engines see other websites linking to yours, they view it as a sign of trust and quality. This can significantly boost your website's ranking in search results.
That is, the more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your website will climb in search results. Which will, of course, lead to more organic traffic and potential customers.
But the issue is that it is incredibly time-consuming to generate backlinks organically, and high-quality backlink generation can be expensive sometimes. But don't worry.
Here’s all you need to know about how to start building a good backlink profile for your brand new website.
Understanding Backlinks: Why They Matter So Much
- Increased Website Traffic: Backlinks act as traffic signals, guiding users directly to your content. The more prominently your website appears in search results, the more likely people are to find and visit it.
- Improved Search Engine Ranking: Like you already know, backlinks play a major role in search engine algorithms. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your website will climb in search results. This makes it easier for potential customers to discover your website.
- Website Credibility: Backlinks from trustworthy and reputable websites act as a stamp of approval for your content. When other websites recommend you, it builds trust with visitors, making them more likely to visit and engage with your brand.
Strategies on how to generate free backlinks for your website:
Now that you understand how powerful backlinks are, let's look into the strategies you can use to get them:
1. Content matters
The foundation of any successful backlink strategy lies in creating high-quality, informative, and engaging content. People won't come looking for mediocre content. They will only go for valuable resources that inform, entertain, or solve their problems.
Keep these in mind:
- Find your niche: Start by identifying your website's niche, which is the specific area of expertise you focus on. Do proper research on what kind of content your target audience relates to. What are their needs? What questions do they have? Create content based on these points and try to address those needs while offering solutions.
- Be consistent: Consistency is always the key. Aim to publish new, valuable content regularly. This could be blogs, infographics, videos, or even downloadable guides. The more valuable content you have, the more likely other websites are to reference it as a source.
- SEO and link building: SEO backlinks are very important. Make sure your content is optimised for search engines, like Google. Including relevant keywords, using compelling titles and meta descriptions, and ensuring your website is mobile-friendly can make a big difference. By optimising your content, you increase the chances of other websites finding it when searching for relevant topics.
2. Guest Blogging:
Guest blogging is a super-effective way to generate free backlinks. It involves writing content for established websites that fall within your niche. This is a good way to make use of the authority of another website and gain valuable backlinks.
- Identify guest blogging opportunities: Search for websites in your niche that accept guest posts. Look for websites with good traffic and a strong social media presence. Many websites have "write for us" sections or clear guidelines for guest bloggers.
Don't just pitch any content. You must research the website's audience and tailor your guest post content to their specific interests.
- Include a backlink in your bio: Most guest blogging platforms allow you to include a short author bio with a link to your website. Make good use of it!
- Use the HARO technique: Help A Reporter Out (HARO) is an excellent internet platform that helps you obtain backlinks from reputable news sites. All you have to do is register as a source, after which you'll receive three emails. The source requests are a list of articles for which reporters require information. Look through the list for ones that cover your niche, and then contact them with a contribution pitch that can include a link to your website.
3. Find broken links:
Websites change content over time, and sometimes links break. This presents you with a great opportunity for link building. Here's how it works:
- Find broken links: There are various free tools online that can help you find broken links on other websites, such as Semrush, Dead Link Checker, etc. You can also go through relevant articles and manually check for broken links.
- Offer a better replacement: Once you find a broken link, contact the website owner and politely inform them about the issue. Offer your own high-quality content as a relevant replacement for the broken link, and tell them why your content is a better fit for their audience. This could be because your content is more up-to-date, offers a fresh perspective, or dives deeper into the topic.
If the website owner sees value in your suggestion and replaces the broken link with yours, you've just scored a valuable backlink
4. The power of social media:
Social media platforms are powerful tools for reaching a wider audience and promoting your content. By actively engaging on social media, you increase the chances of other websites noticing and potentially linking to your work.
- Share your content on relevant social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and participating in discussions.
- Identify key influencers within your niche on social media. Share their content, mention them in your posts, and offer valuable insights related to their work. Building relationships can lead to social shares and potential backlinks.
5. Online Community Champion:
Participating in online communities is another excellent way to establish yourself as an expert and attract backlinks.
- Seek out relevant online communities, engage in discussions, answer questions thoughtfully, and offer helpful advice.
- Don't simply promote your website. Instead, focus on providing valuable insights, sharing your expertise, and helping others. This builds trust and credibility.
- Some online communities allow you to include a website link in your profile or signature. This is a subtle way to gain a backlink, but remember, the focus should always be on providing genuine value to the community.
6. Testimonials & Reviews:
If you've offered exceptional service or products, encourage satisfied customers to leave testimonials or reviews on your website and relevant online platforms. Not only do these reviews build trust with potential customers, but some review platforms also link back to your website, boosting your backlink profile.
7. Local SEO Powerhouse:
If you have a local business, optimising your website for local SEO can attract valuable backlinks. Here are a few tips:
- Claim Your Google My Business Listing: Having a complete and optimised Google My Business (GMB) listing is crucial for local SEO. Include your business name, address, phone number, website link, and positive reviews.
- Get Listed in Local Directories: Submit your business information to relevant local directories and online review platforms. This not only improves local visibility but can also help you generate backlinks.
8. Broken citations:
Similar to broken links, sometimes citations (listings of your business information) online can contain errors or inaccuracies.
- Find Inconsistent Citations: Search for your business name and contact information across online directories, review platforms, and industry listings. Look for inconsistencies or missing information.
- Claim and Correct: Most online directories have a process for claiming your business listing and updating information. Correct the mistakes and ensure your information is accurate and consistent across all platforms.
- Backlink Bonus: Many online directories provide backlinks to your website when you claim and update your business listing. This is a simple and effective way to generate backlinks.
9. Wikipedia citations
Wikipedia is often a reliable source of information that everyone goes to. Search Wikipedia for articles about your niche category and locate the reference that would be excellent for a blog on your website. Locate a part that lacks a citation and include your blog post as a citation for that area. Simple, but very effective, for backlink generation.
Remember: Generating high-quality backlinks takes time and effort. But by consistently creating valuable content, engaging with your audience on social media, and actively participating in online communities, you can build a strong backlink profile for your website, ultimately attracting more organic traffic and achieving your content marketing goals.
Bonus Tip: Track Your Backlinks
There are various free and paid tools available to track your backlinks. These backlink sites allow you to monitor your progress and identify opportunities for further link-building.
By using free strategies, you can generate free backlinks for your brand new website, paving the way for greater online success.
