How to Create Backlinks for Your Website
There comes a point for a webmaster when it is apparent that everything that can be done internally for a website has been done. This usually refers to writing excellent content and copy, optimizing internal links and META tags, and addressing other technical issues. Once that point is reached, there is only one place to go and that is out. This is the significance of backlinks.
In order to have a top ranked site for important keywords, you must have excellent and relevant content, moderate to high traffic, and a high number of quality links. Of course, anyone has the capacity to create low quality links by using SPAM methods, or creating multiple websites just as an excuse for more links. The question is, what are some honest and “organic” ways to increase your backlinks? Let’s consider five ways.
- Creating Linkbait Content
Link bait content is content, such as an article, blog, infographic or other bit of useful information on your site that other people want to link back to. These are posts that are well-written and thought out that provide useful insight to readers. These are the pieces of content that people really appreciate and want to link to from their website or blog.
- Article Marketing
This practice is one of the most ethical ways to earn links, as you provide free information to online viewers by publishing quality articles in article directories. Instead of payment, you accept a linkback to your website (or perhaps two in an article). Not only does this build your links but you also establish credibility in the eyes of your customers. The best sites have a submissions process and an editorial committee that disqualifies stories that feature plagiarized content, cheap recycled content, or poorly written text.
- Think Outside the Box
People will be more inclined to give you a backlink and spread your link around if you give them something of exceptional quality. Many people have created original videos (some funny, shocking or informative) and have gained a huge following. Others have experimented with original software, plugins, web templates, social media (including Q&A sites), non-profit team ups, forum posting and guest blogging.
- Become a Part of Social Bookmarking Websites
Social bookmarking sites cannot only provide extra links but can help your content to “go viral”. Top social bookmarking sites include Digg and Reddit. Writing sites like Hubpages and Squidoo are also search engine-friendly and excellent opportunities for linkbuilding.
- Link Exchanging
Now don’t misconstrue honest and relevant link exchanges for mindless link pages or paid for links. Text link trade and banner trading are still good options, provided the site you are working with matches your subject matter or products.
Ultimately, what matters is not how many links you have but the quality of your links. So always strive to work with quality sites that have moderate to high traffic volumes. There’s no use spreading your links too thin by working with poor quality sites. Instead, aim for the top!
