15 Methods for getting High-Quality Backlinks for your WordPress Site
9 min read
Remember when spammy Search engine optimization was an issue? Google eventually realized these dishonest Search engine optimization tactics utilized by shady (and, let’s be truthful, lazy) people, so it might not have experienced an opportunity to get too near to you. Nonetheless, if you’ve ever endured a customer inquire if you understood where they might buy links from, that’s certainly a remnant of individuals spammy Search engine optimization days-then one you would like to steer clear of no matter what.
I believe the worst part about spammy Search engine optimization was the aftermath. It isn’t like accumulating backlinks was the issue. It had been the way people acquired individuals backlinks which was, given that they essentially tricked looking algorithms into rewarding quantity over quality.
As being a couple of years from the pervasiveness of spammy Search engine optimization abuses, I believe it’s here we are at all of us to obtain during the saddle and obtain over that fear that Backlinks = Bad. We all know that search engines like google recognize a powerful network of backlinks like a signal of authority (even when they won’t be honest). It’s only a matter of understanding how to achieve individuals links through genuine link-building strategies.
In the following paragraphs, I wish to discuss exactly what a backlink is and how to pull off accumulating a powerful network of backlinks to enhance your site’s ranking, all while still remaining within the good graces of the various search engines as well as your visitors.
The Different Uses of Links to enhance Search engine optimization
Let’s begin with the basics. You will find typically three types of links you are interested in when creating a WordPress site:
Internal links connect readers of the site along with other pages of content inside the site. This prevents them moving through related subject after related subject, which helps demonstrate your understanding and expertise.
Exterior links connect readers of the site along with other websites. Why can you ever want to supply a link that may potentially push a customer off your website? Well, it’s actually because you need to provide a source credit for information you’ve incorporated in your site. You realize this away from senior high school. Quotes, statistics, and original research ought to always be reported. It is also great for increasing the consumer experience whenever you suggesting they are doing something after which give them a fast connect to follow-through with that action.
That can bring me to backlinks. They are links that time back to your website, but show up on other websites. Your house you printed a amusing infographic around the variations between dating within the ‘90s versus dating within the ‘10s. You might find that a lot of internet dating sites, women’s and men’s e-magazines, and even perhaps Buzzfeed wish to embed a duplicate from it on their own blogs. Consequently, they’ll likely provide your site credit having a backlink. (Essentially, an exterior link, however in reverse.)
Internal and exterior links are generally essential for developing a strong impression in your WordPress site. However, backlinks are more essential because they show search engines like google (and readers) that you’re a reliable authority online, which your articles is really good that others can’t help but drive their very own visitors to it. Obviously, these backlinks will only be advantageous if:
They’re genuine (meaning you didn’t pay anyone to plant them).
They’re relevant and, consequently, drive relevant traffic to your website.
They are available from trustworthy sources.
It’s this last point that may give marketers some pause since backlinks from websites with poor reputations can negatively affect Search engine optimization. So, when there were ever grounds to not wish to positively focus on creating a network of inbound links, that might be the main one caveat. However, it ought to be simple to operate for this. As long as you’re creating connections with trustworthy and-authority websites, and having to pay focus on where your backlinks originate from, you ought to be fine.
15 Ways to Get High-Quality Backlinks to Your WordPress Site
According to a 2015 study done by Moz, they found a very strong correlation between top ranked sites on Google and external links. Of the top 50 search results they assessed, they found that 99.2% of them had at least one backlink. While it’s not impossible to rank without a backlink, the evidence suggests that if you want to make that coveted first page of search results, you need at least one high-quality backlink.
Okay, so now that we got that out of the way…
We know that backlinks are awesome for SEO. We also know that we need to be careful when going about obtaining them. Here are some tips on how you can inspire popular, high-authority, and well-trusted websites to link to your website:
#1. Write Actionable Blog Posts
Well-written and informative blog posts are awesome. It’s basically like you’re giving away free lessons to your visitors in exchange for their patronage. However, if you want to motivate them to link back to your site within their own content, you have to give them something more. Blog posts that provide actionable tips—usually in list format or a step-by-step guide—will give others the opportunity to leverage your expert guidance for their own benefit.
#2. Write Guest Articles
This is really no different than writing content for your site. The only difference is that you have to follow someone else’s guidelines before it gets published. If you do go this route, don’t stress over embedding links to your site within the article; in fact, most outlets frown upon that. Simply just ask if you can put one link in your bio. If the site has a high enough profile, that one link is all you’ll need anyway.
#3. Blog on Third-Party Sites
Perhaps the best place to put well-thought-out and informative posts is on third-party blogging sites. Obviously, that’s not to say these sites wouldn’t benefit from how-to articles. It’s all about creating content for the right place and the right time, and these sites are usually about straight-up thought leadership content. LinkedIn and Medium are good ones to look into.
#4. Develop Long-form Content
Writing a piece of content that discusses the merits of adopting an older dog is nice when you want to connect with your audience, but writing a guide on the 100 ways to help an older dog adapt to its surroundings would most likely elicit a stronger response. If you really want people to link to your content, create something truly of value. Long-form content like e-books, white papers, and manuals work best for this.
#5. Create Tutorials
Another way you could create helpful content others are dying to link to is by developing tutorials. Whether you’re a WordPress developer who recorded a live WordPress training session or a web designer who has created an infographic on the 15 tips for mastering the latest design trend, these creative tutorials that come straight from the expert are always an attractive sell.
#6. Write a Case Study
Before I write any new content, the first thing I do is search for statistical evidence of the point I want to make. The way I see it, my audience will have an easier time listening to me if I point them to solid proof.
That’s why case studies are so powerful. Find a client’s before-and-after success story, write it up with tons of visuals and statistics, and publish on your site (with client’s consent of course). If your case study makes a solid argument for why CTAs belong above the fold, others may find your data valuable enough to link to and use in their own work.
#7. Showcase Partner Logos
This is one of those tit-for-tat situations, but nevertheless is one that will work if you get a valuable backlink out of it. If your business partners with high-profile companies, talk to them about showing off your logos on each other’s websites.
#8. Provide Reviews for Others
Yes, it can be annoying to receive a testimonial or review request from someone when you’re in the middle of a rush rebranding job and barely have time to stop and collect last month’s invoices. The next time this happens, however, I’d urge you to just say “yes”. In exchange for a testimonial or review, you can ask them to include a link back to your site.
#9. Get Your Link Out on Social
Although Google has made it clear they don’t (or, more accurately, can’t) use social media as a ranking factor for websites, that doesn’t mean social can’t be used for backlinking opportunities. You can:
- Add your site’s URL to all your social media profiles—for your company, yourself, and maybe even encourage employees to do so as well.
- Promote your content and business’s products or services through posts on social.
- Create videos, slideshows, and other visual content for niche social media sites (like YouTube or Instagram) and include a link back to your site in the description.
#10. Show Off on Social
While you work on generating your own backlinks, don’t forget to encourage others to share your content as well. The worst way to do this? “Hey guys, I just published this article. Please share it for me!” The best way to do this? Talk about topics on social that are relevant to your business. Trust me, people will take notice—especially if you’re sharing their content and tagging them. Quid pro quo is alive and well on social media.
#11. Update Your Gravatar
Did you know that Gravatar is part of the Automattic family? This means that any website—including your own WordPress site—linked to Gravatar can pull in the profile you’ve created there. This ensures that your website URL will show up on any site where your Gravatar bio does (like when you comment on another blog).
#12. Create Profiles on Q&A Sites
As a WordPress professional, you know how strong the community is around it. There are a number of opportunities to get involved with that community and to lend your input when your expertise is needed. Sites like Stack Overflow, Quora, the WordPress forums, and, of course, the WPMU DEV community.
#13. Upload Your Portfolio
Do you have a design portfolio or something free to give away like a plugin or wireframe kit? Hop on sites like Dribbble, create a profile (with a link to your site), and start sharing.
#14. Get Interviewed
Are you a local expert? Or perhaps you developed a new technique or product that others would find valuable? Maybe you just helped a major Fortune 500 revamp their website? Whatever waves you’re making in your part of the world, use it to get interviewed by podcasts, local new sites, or niche bloggers. In exchange for the interview, they’ll likely give your site a shout-out.
#15. Issue a Press Release
Along that same vein, if you have something truly newsworthy happen to you (like one of your sites won an Awwward or you just sold a million copies of your plugin), issue a press release about it. And not just on your website. Use a service like PRweb so it’ll get picked up by other news channels that will link back to your site, too.
Once you’ve got this backlink train in motion, don’t forget to review the backlinks coming in to your site. You can find a list of these by going to Google Search Console; look under Search Traffic > Links to Your Site. If you find any questionable links (meaning they’re irrelevant or come from inappropriate sites), you can disconnect them.
