What Is Backlinking
Trying to figure out SEO for your website is not easy. Really not easy. Especially if you've just been throw into the lion's den and have to set up SEO quickly. The best thing to do would be to contact a friend that knows absolutely everything about SEO. But, that might not be an option. One of the most essential elements of SEO is backlinking, and your site really can't survive without it.
What Is Backlinking?
Simply put: a backlink is a link from another site that points towards your website. The more sites that think your site is great, the more Google will like your page. It's a simple concept with a not-so-simple solution.
Steps to Backlinking
Guest Blogging: find sites where you can submit guest posts.
Social Media: don't just throw your site name around social media groups. Get out there, participate in conversations, and let your presence be known – it's called networking (and it was a lot more fun during the Mad Men era when it involved martinis!).
Interview People: when you interview people, those people will spread the word of the interview that you've posted on your site. That's simple enough, right? But, you'll have to find someone that's related to your topic to interview.
Directories: add your site link to industry directories. I'll only add this word of caution: make sure that you don't over submit your site link to directories.
Link to Other Sites: after that, get out there and let those people know that you've linked to other sites. People want to know when you mention them, so do it!
Press: if you can get a journalist to cover your site in a press release or blog post, that's a really great thing. Try to see if you can create news that's press worthy enough, and people will flock to your site.
Not Too Hard
None of this is hard to do, but you also have to make sure that every page on your site is filled with the right content, includes keywords, and is optimized. Not sure what those things mean? Take the time to keep reading this blog to find out.
Even though Google is pickier with words and content than in previous years, it's really all about SEO still. I know, I'm not a fan either, but it's the way it's done. If you own a website, you have to have your SEO in line. Can you do it all by yourself? Sure; just make sure to read and research as much as you can. And, if you happen to have a friend that's an expert, make sure to bend her ear a bit first.
Need some help on how to add backlinks? Just ask! We're here to help you out – and we love to interview people, so make sure that you ask us if you think you have a product you'd like us to talk about!
Photo Courtesy of waivecraigk via Flickr Creative Commons
