Having quality backlinks is one of the core components of effective Search Engine Optimization. Links leading back to your website increases the chance of Google and other search engines recommending you in search results. Here are just a few ways that you can use link building to your advantage:
Listing Directories
For businesses engaging in Local SEO, listings are a must. Adding your business to quality listing websites such as Yellow Pages, Yelp, Manta, and Angie’s List is one of the easiest ways to build quality links back to your site. Additionally, listings create a twofold opportunity for your website to get found online. Potential customers may find you on such listing websites, and also, if properly filled out, your business profiles will index in search results. Be sure to also take advantage of any industry-specific listing websites in addition to the more well-known sites.
Social Media
A core component of offsite SEO, social media is a great way to promote your business and create quality backlinks. For optimal results, make sure your Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and LinkedIn pages are filled out completely, and try to include a link in as many posts as possible. Also submit your website to social bookmarking websites such as Delicious and StumbleUpon.
Ask For Help
Ask those whom you do business with if you could guest blog on their website, or if they could help you out in any other way with regards to link building. Refrain from buying links or any other blackhat SEO techniques. Proper link building takes time and effort, and buying links will only lead to a penalty for your website.
Get Personal
Use your personal website, blog, or social media pages to your advantage. Ask your colleagues to help out in this area as well. For example, you could share new blog posts on your LinkedIn page or discussion groups to create links back to your website and gain additional exposure for your business.
Monitor your Backlinks
Finally, check the links back to your website in Google Webmaster Tools and Bing Webmaster Tools to ensure only quality, reputable websites are linking to your’s. If you are unsure about certain websites linking to you, and would like to remove them, you should consider disavowing the bad links.
To reiterate, proper link building requires time and effort, but done properly, will seriously help your search results.