Once again the subject of linkbuilding is rolling around the SEO and marketing industries. Rumors and predictions have been flying around for more than a year that the practice of linkbuilding is either dead, on its way out, or still a valuable tool that shouldn’t be underestimated.
Linkbuilding goes back tot he beginning of SEO. In the old days, search engines use to value website based on how many links it had inbound and outbound. People would use all sorts of ways to build up their links from joining webrings to even paying for getting traffic companies to send inbound links reaching the hundreds and thousands. These links were generally useless and Google and the search engines began cracking down the last few years and upended many a traffic broker and SEO pro.
Now, linkbuilding isn’t as powerful as it used to be but it still is something of value if you do it the right and modern way.
First of all, don’t even think you’re going to fool Google. Their evaluation regarding your inbound and outbound links is far different than just their spiders and bots finding your site. No, it’s more precise, more laser targeted. Google is looking for links that are significant, relevant and useful. If your site is about refurbishing furniture, having a link from ‘Joe’s Bakery’ isn’t going to help at all. However, getting an inbound link from ‘Home Depot’ is like striking gold. Getting a link from a high profile company like a major retail chain is next to impossible, however, it’s not impossible. It takes something very unique or a special relationship with the company to get a link like that. It’s a make or break type of link. A link like that otherwise would cost a fortune.
For the regular folks out there it would call for linkbuilding with authoritative sites of relevance. Seeking out like minded quality colleagues and review sites and blogs that link to your site in their creative content. That’s the key. When Google’s spiders and bots are scanning the web and find 10 blog or sites of the same niche as your site, and notice that those blogs or sites link to yours in their content from copy to photos, videos, it says to Google that your site is of some importance to others. If your site produces content, copy mostly, that offers help, and you end up with a thousand sites linking to yours in their copy, not just some static page of links, then you’re good to go. That’s the catbird seat and something you must seek for but you will only get it by expanding and communicating using social media. Your site or blog has to have updated content and mention timely things like changes in technology or discounts, DIY or Do It Yourself, and other such content.
Once you’ve gotten the reputation for being someone to go to get the best information, other people will link to you and you’ll end up with the kind of organic linkbuilding that grows exponentially. No matter what the SEO pros debate, being referenced as an authority is better than striking oil.
Yes it takes work, but it’s the new linkbuilding way to not get penalized by Google, get organic traffic and build reputation that can’t be beat.
So it’s not a matter of whether linkbuilding is dead, it’s a matter of who knows how to get those links that have equity. Just one link on a high profile site means traffic and opportunity that will continue to grow. To get inbound links from very active social media venues means organic traffic that is both enthusiastic but also easier to convert into sales.
Keeping your website design professional, not trying anything unethical, updating your content, participating in discussions about your niche via social media and news story commentary boosts your chances of getting the kinds of inbound links even money can’t buy.