Picture this. You have a business, a working SEO-driven website, and waiting patiently to start ranking on google. Besides SEO and marketing your business online, is there anything else you can do? The answer is yes. Backlinks come into play, and they are an integral part of ranking high on keywords. Very few business owners know what they are unless you’re tech-savvy. And frankly, more business owners should know about them as they are crucial in ranking and growing a business. 

What is a Backlink?

In short, a backlink is a button or link on another website that points to your website. Before knowing why this is important, you must understand what domain authority is, and how it correlates. 

Whenever you buy a domain name from a domain provider, you start with a domain authority of one. Over time that number will increase based on website traffic and SEO practices. Let’s say one to three spots if you are doing the right things. 

Websites such as Amazon, Nike, and Starbucks have domain authority in the high nineties. A domain authority involves time, high backlink usage and a prominent online presence. 

How Do Backlinks Work?

When you first create an SEO-driven website and have a domain authority of one, other websites with higher domain authority will outrank you. Think of it as a part of SEO that isn’t added to your website directly. As you increase your backlinks, you will see your domain authority grow. Over time, backlinks will allow you to get ahead of your competitors in search rankings. Through hard work and dedication, your domain authority will increase. But don’t expect it to happen overnight. Like anything with SEO, everything takes time. 

How Can I Get Backlinks For My Business?

Like any industry, the backlinks should be relevant to what you are selling or offering. The first place to start is online directories. Online directories cater to numerous industries, have good domain authority, and you don’t have to converse with anyone regarding getting a backlink.

 Next would be media outlets or bloggers. They have good domain authority, and they are a way to get your name out there. Being included in a news article or blog will help your digital marketing, too. 

Searching for your competitors is very beneficial as you can research what they are doing. You can even use their backlink sources if it is applicable. Look in your industry and think about businesses you could reach out to. Make it beneficial for them to include a link to your site. Of course, you can reach a marketing professional, like me or otherwise. We will know where to go with backlinks. And this will allow you to focus more on your business.

What Tools Are Useful for Backlinks?

First, you need a tool that lets you search for your domain authority. I use Diib, which is free. It is an online marketing tool that searches keywords, researches your competitors and keeps tabs on where you rank. Most main marketing tools such as Moz, Semrush and others will do the same. Those are pricier and have more customizations and options. Conversely, you can google “backlink checker”. From there, you will find backlink checkers you can use. 

Next, another important tool is a Spam Score checker. Aside from domain authority, another metric you need to know is spam score. Like the name says, spam score is a metric Google uses to wean out spammy websites. Before adding a backlink, first, check if the website has a high spam score. If it is high, do not use the backlink as it will negatively impact your domain. You can google “spam score checker”, and you should find some free options. The more expensive marketing tools will have this option, too. Any score over fifty percent I wouldn’t use. Spam score is shown as “SS” for simplicity. The checker will show you domain authority (DA), too.

Backlinks are not easy and take a lot of work. But, they are an integral part of growing any business and its digital marketing efforts. Feel free to contact me with any questions regarding this process. Happy backlinking!