Story Based Question
You’ve just launched a new e-commerce site for handmade jewelry, and you’re eager to start link building to boost your SEO. However, there are so many opportunities out there, from guest posting to partnerships, and it’s hard to know where to focus your energy. You wonder: How should you prioritize which link building opportunities to pursue first to get the best results for your business?
Exact Answer
To prioritize link building opportunities, focus on high-authority, relevant sites in your niche, opportunities with the best potential for natural, editorial links, and those that align with your long-term SEO goals.
Explanation
Prioritizing link building opportunities can be overwhelming, especially when there’s a long list of potential strategies. However, by focusing on the most impactful, relevant, and achievable opportunities, you can maximize your SEO efforts and build a strong foundation for long-term success. Here’s how to prioritize:
- Relevance to Your Niche
The most valuable backlinks are those that come from sites related to your industry or niche. Links from relevant websites tell Google that your content is trustworthy and authoritative within that specific area. For example, if you sell handmade jewelry, backlinks from fashion blogs, design magazines, or e-commerce platforms that focus on handmade goods will be far more beneficial than links from unrelated websites like tech blogs or gaming forums. - Domain Authority of the Site
The authority of the website providing the backlink is crucial. Sites with higher domain authority (DA) pass more SEO value to your site, helping you rank higher in search results. Prioritize links from sites with a strong reputation, such as well-known blogs, respected industry publications, or authoritative institutions. You can use tools like Moz’s Link Explorer, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to check a site’s DA. - Editorial Links vs. Paid Links
Links that are editorially given (e.g., from a website that chooses to link to your content because it’s valuable) are far more beneficial than paid links or links that are placed through manipulative tactics. Editorial links are trusted by search engines and typically lead to better SEO outcomes in the long run. Prioritize opportunities where you can earn these types of natural links. - Link Quality Over Quantity
It’s tempting to try to get as many links as possible, but quality matters much more than quantity. A single link from a high-authority site in your niche can be far more effective than multiple links from low-quality or irrelevant sites. Focus on securing high-quality backlinks that have the potential to improve your rankings and drive relevant traffic to your site. - Link Placement and Context
The placement and context of the link are also important. A link placed within the body of a relevant article or blog post will be far more impactful than a footer or sidebar link. Prioritize opportunities where the link is naturally embedded within content, such as guest posts, content collaborations, or resource pages. - Relationship Potential and Ongoing Partnerships
Building relationships can lead to long-term link building opportunities. Prioritize opportunities where you can establish a relationship with the website owner or influencer. This can include reaching out for collaborations, sponsorships, or partnerships, which often lead to multiple backlinks over time. These types of relationships can create a steady stream of valuable backlinks as your partnership evolves.
How to Implement This in Your Link Building Strategy
- Start with Relevant and High-Authority Sites
Look for high-authority websites within your industry or niche that accept guest posts, contribute to industry publications, or run influencer marketing programs. Prioritize these as your first point of contact for outreach, since these sites will give you the best SEO return. - Leverage Existing Relationships
If you already have connections within your industry, ask for backlinks. These might include business partners, suppliers, or industry peers who can help you get started. They are often more likely to provide high-quality backlinks, especially if you’ve already worked together or have a mutual interest. - Focus on Content That Attracts Links
Create valuable, shareable content that naturally attracts backlinks. This could include original research, infographics, case studies, or guides. Content like this is more likely to be linked to by others in your niche because it provides real value. - Monitor Your Competitors
Check where your competitors are getting their backlinks from. Tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush can help you discover their backlink profile. You can use this data to identify opportunities that you might have missed or to reach out to the same sites for your own backlink. - Track Your Progress
Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track the success of your link building efforts. Monitor which backlinks are driving the most traffic, improving rankings, and providing long-term benefits. This will help you refine your strategy and prioritize opportunities that yield the best results.
Example
Let’s say you’ve identified two potential backlink opportunities for your handmade jewelry store:
- A high-authority fashion blog that accepts guest posts, where you can write about jewelry trends.
- A small local business directory that’s not particularly well-known and has low domain authority.
While both could provide a backlink, the fashion blog is a much better priority because it has a higher domain authority, is relevant to your niche, and could drive significant traffic. The guest post would also provide a more natural, editorially-placed link within relevant content. The small business directory might not bring much SEO benefit because its authority is lower and the link placement is likely less valuable.
To prioritize link building opportunities, focus on relevance, domain authority, link quality, and the potential for ongoing relationships. By targeting the right websites and opportunities, you’ll build a stronger backlink profile that delivers better SEO results in the long run.