Link building is an important part of search engine optimization (SEO). It revolves around obtaining links from other websites to your own website. For example: you have a bike shop, and a blog about bikes refers to your website. These links act as a kind of recommendation or vote of confidence for search engines like Google. The more links that refer to your site, the greater the chance that you will score higher in the search results. But how exactly does this work? And can I do this myself? In this article you can read more about link building + 8 useful tips that you can use immediately.
In short: where does link building come from?
Link building emerged around 2000 when search engines like Google started using links as an important factor in determining your search position. This was done based on relevance and authority. The idea was simple: if many websites link to your website, then your content must be interesting. This line of thought led to the rise of link building strategies to gain more links and thus improve your position in search engines. However: can you place links on as many websites as you want and will you automatically score well? The short answer: no.
The website that refers to you also has a certain value and authority. Suppose you are an electronics store and you are going to start link building. Then it is less valuable if your link is on the website of a doughnut baker. And search engines are smart, they know this. They then think: why is that link here? These websites do not have much to do with each other. It is then no valuable link.
What can I do myself with link building?
Getting started with link building is pretty easy, but it does take a lot of time. Below are a few tips to help you get started.
Guest blogging
Writing articles for other websites in exchange for a link back to your own site. Remember that the websites have something to do with each other. Otherwise the link is not worth it.
Broken link building
Finding dead links on other websites and proposing to replace them with a link to your own relevant content. This is beneficial for both parties. You get a valuable link to your website, while the other party solves a problem by replacing a dead link with a useful and relevant source.
Link exchange
The exchange of links between websites, where both parties place a link to each other's website. Again, both websites must have something to do with each other.
Content marketing
Creating valuable content that people naturally want to share and link to.
Infographics
Visual content that is easy to share and often picked up by other sites. They can use your infographic if they link to your website.
Advice: focus on quality
Focus on quality, not quantity. It is better to get a few links from larger and relevant websites than a lot of links from sites that add little value. So don't fall for standard 'Link Building Packages'. There is no standard package. Every website needs its own approach. Google (and other search engines) are getting smarter and attach more value to the relevance and quality of the links that lead to your site.
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