7 SEO Link Building Techniques to Increase Traffic

Link building has long been touted as one of the best ways to optimize for search engines and increase traffic. Links to your website from other sites (backlinks) can indicate authority and relevancy if it’s done correctly.

If someone clicks on a link to your site and sticks around because it has useful content, Google knows your filling a need for someone. And it may contribute to a bump in ranking for certain keywords.

Before we dive in, we want to remind people that it’s never a good idea to purchase links or practice other ‘blackhat’ SEO techniques on your website that try to game the system. Remember: Google knows. Creepy, right? While you might experience a temporary boost, it will most likely lead to a serious penalty that’s difficult to recover from.

Here are 7 SEO link building techniques to increase traffic:

1. Get published

An easy way to get links to your site is to create valuable content for other people’s sites. Getting published can come in a number of different forms, whether it’s submitting editorial work to a blog like Style Me Pretty or guest posting for a major news aggregator like the Huffington Post.

Try targeting higher-traffic sites with audiences that may not be familiar with you, but would value the expertise you provide. This will result in more traffic to your own site and the increase the likelihood you gain

Make sure you’re pitching work that will add value to the host’s audience, and research how they want work submitted. Editors are generally very busy, so if you submit the type of work they’re looking for in the way they want it submitted, you’ll greatly increase your chances of being published.

#Pro-tip: Use a service like Two Bright Lights, which makes it easy to submit a bunch of publications. Sign-up using the code daveyandkrista to receive 10% off.

2. Round-up posts

Round-up posts are a collection of thoughts on a topic or answers to a question from a variety of respondents. If you’re looking for an example, check out our most recent round-up post here.

There are a number of advantages to round-up posts: They’re often well-read, they get a lot of people involved, and it’s easy to contribute and assemble (we use a google sheet to collect information).

Round-up posts are a win-win for everyone involved. The people who take part get links to their sites and access to your audience. But they are also usually willing to share the post on their own platforms, which drives traffic back to your site.

Be sure not to overdo it. While it’s easy to participate, you are asking others to provide you with content they could share on their own platforms.

3. Infographics and shareable images

Infographics are often easier to digest than blog posts, and generally have more potential to go viral on social media. Be sure to optimize the alt-text on your Infographic or image so that it contains keywords and its source.

We’ve found that long verticals are more likely to be repinned on Pinterest. Pinterest is an often overlooked platform to drive traffic back to your site. Make it easy for people to share your content!

4. Blog

If you’re looking to be shared around the web, then you need to create content that can be shared. When you publish a blog post, it’s another page for Google to index, and another opportunity for someone to land on your site.

Blogging also helps establish authority. If you can answer people’s questions or provide them with valuable insight, you’re likely to become a place people repeatedly visit and refer.

5. Resource Pages and Directories

Reach out to resource pages and directories that would be a good fit for your business. If you’re in the wedding industry, being in directories at the Knot, Style Me Pretty, or Wedding Wire can be helpful. It’s another opportunity for a potential customer to find you.

There are situations where you can buy your way into directories. This is only okay if it’s relevant and from a legit source. Purchasing links just for the sake of building backlinks is a bad idea. See our note above about ‘blackhat’ SEO techniques.

6. Link Out

Link to pages and resources that your audience will find valuable. If you’re sending traffic to another site, there’s a good chance they’ll notice and be grateful for it. Who knows, it might mean they link back to you.

At the very least, your building relationships. And that’s never a waste of time.

7. Write Testimonials and Reviews

That software you just started using—you know, the one you love because it’s making your life so much easier. Write a review or testimonial about it if it might be useful to your audience, too. Not only does it make for a great blog post, you might even get some love from the company you wrote about.

And remember to share the post with the company or person you wrote about. Who doesn’t appreciate an unsolicited, positive testimonial?

What are some of your favorite link building techniques? What’s been a waste of time? And what should people be cautious about!?