Backlinks…what are they in the grand scheme of things? Imagine your blog is a brand-new shop on a busy street. Backlinks are like other established shops recommending yours to their customers. Search engines like Google see those recommendations and think, “Hmm, this new shop must be good!” – leading to higher rankings and more people discovering your blog. Cool, right?
But how do you actually get these magic backlinks, especially when you’re just starting out? Let’s dive in!
7 Proven Backlink Strategies for New Blogs
- Guest Post Like a Pro: Guest posting means writing articles for other blogs related to your niche. In exchange, you get a backlink to your site (and often, exposure to a new audience). Look for blogs that accept guest posts, and make sure they’re relevant to your target readers.
- Resource Pages to the Rescue: Many websites have “Resource” pages listing helpful websites and tools. Reach out to the owners of these pages and suggest your blog as a worthy addition. If you offer genuinely valuable content, you might get that backlink.
- Testimonials (with a Twist): Have you used a product or service that really helped your blogging journey? Write a glowing testimonial and share it with the company. Often, they’ll feature it on their site with a link back to yours!
- Social Sharing Bonanza: Share your valuable blog posts across social media platforms. When people find your content insightful, they might naturally link to it from their own blogs and websites.
- HARO: Help a Reporter Out: HARO is a platform connecting journalists with relevant sources. Sign up, keep an eye out for requests in your niche, and provide excellent responses. If you get quoted, you often get a backlink.
- The Infographic Power-up: Infographics are eye-catching and shareable. Create one based on your best blog content. When people embed it on their websites, they’ll likely give you credit (and that’s another backlink!)
- Broken Link Bonanza: Find broken links (404 errors) on relevant websites. Reach out to the webmaster, suggesting your content as a replacement. If they agree, boom – you’ve got a backlink and helped them too!
Essential Tip: Target the Right Keywords
Finding low-competition keywords is a lifesaver if you’re a new blog. Tools such as Google Keyword Planner or Semrush might be useful. Look for keywords within your niche but with lower search volume. You have better odds of ranking for these and getting backlinks.
Things to Avoid
- Don’t Buy Backlinks! Google hates this, and it could seriously hurt your rankings.
- Spammy Comments: It is pointless to publish general remarks with a link to your blog, such as “Nice post!”
My Take
Backlinks take time and effort, but they’re SO worth it. Focus on providing valuable content, build relationships within your niche, and backlinks will start flowing naturally.
Summary
Backlinks are crucial for a new blog’s search engine success. Use guest posting, resource pages, testimonials, social media, HARO, infographics, and broken link building to earn high-quality backlinks. And remember to target those awesome low-competition keywords!
FAQs
- Q: How long does it take to get effects from backlinks? A: Patience is crucial. It might take weeks, even months.
- Q: How many backlinks do I need? A: Quality over quantity matters! A few good backlinks are better than tons of spammy ones.
- Q: Should I track my backlinks? A: Definitely! Tools such as Google Search Console can be useful.
- Q: Can I get backlinks without guest posting? A: Yes, but guest posting is a strong strategy.
- Q: Is there a safe way to build backlinks quickly? A: Nope! Organic link building is best for long-term success.