Link-building is an incredibly effective tactic to improve search engine rankings. It helps search engine crawlers to discover new web pages, gain organic referral traffic and improve the website’s visibility. When combined with a technical SEO foundation, valuable content, and user experience, businesses can elevate their chances of ranking higher on SERPs.
Despite the numerous benefits of link-building, it is not an easy strategy to implement. Nearly 65% of SEO Practitioners affirm that link-building is one of the most challenging strategies. Additionally, 36% of the businesses said they have to hire a link-building agency to get the desired results.
Yet, some businesses receive zero to no results. It’s because, in link-building, even the slightest mistake can lead to the loss of golden opportunities. That’s why it is essential that SEO practitioners, especially in-house SEO pros, get acquainted with the following link-building mistakes and avoid them at all costs.
Mistake1: Focusing On Quantity Than Quality
Quality content is the key ingredient of link-building success. Quality content is not merely limited to formatting, readability, or correct use of grammar. Instead, long-form content that provides valuable and new information to the readers will help make SEO planning thrive.
However, it is noteworthy that writers need not add just any piece of information to increase the content length. Instead, they must pay attention to the most useful or necessary data that the reader must not miss out on. It will also make it easier to infuse links in the articles in an editorial way.
What’s The Solution?
Always audit the content and remove irrelevant or unappealing information. Focus on niche-relevant, authentic, and engaging content to elevate the quality of articles. Adding infographics or alt text will also help improve the content.
Mistake 2: Not Paying Attention To On-Page SEO And Search Intent
Search intent or user intent is a user’s query or thought on Google or any other search engine. For instance, a person interested in digital marketing may want to know “How to rank higher on SERPs?” or “What is link-building?” These questions are actually the search intent of the user. The websites that do not consider search intent or repair their on-page SEO do not necessarily get quality backlinks for the long term.
Bear in mind that the primary objective of Google is to satisfy the search intent. So, it should also be one of the primary goals of SEO professionals.
What’s The Solution?
Consult competitor and industry analysis before formulating the link-building strategy. It will help understand the target audience’s tastes and preferences. Thus, businesses can modify their content strategy accordingly.
Also, focus on improving the on-page SEO along with the link-building strategies to get effective results. Try to establish expertise in the industry or subject matter using a powerful content strategy. It will help Google learn about the company’s services.
Mistake 3: Obsessing Over Third-Party Link Metric
Indeed, third-party tools and software can help professionals learn and understand the SEO value of backlinks, keyword ranking, traffic value, and more. However, depending solely on such tools may lead to the following:
- Insufficient subjective evaluation.
- Limited opportunities.
- Development of lopsided link profile.
What’s The Solution?
SEO practitioners need to understand that it is impossible to convert link prospects at 100 percent. Third-party link metrics change or update over time. Thus, obsessing over them might not offer favorable results all the time.
For instance, it might not always be feasible if an agency wants to connect with high-DA (Domain Authority) websites for backlinks. The site with high DA today might have low DA tomorrow and vice versa. That’s why it is essential to connect with sites that focus on quality and help plant seeds of growth.
Mistake 4: Neglecting Creating Topical Content
The topic content is a term that has been coined with SEO in the last few years. It means the timely delivery of relevant content related to the current business, industry, or marketing scenario. This type of content is “Of-the-moment” and highly searchable information. Thus, it helps drive organic traffic and improve the site’s ranking.
For instance, posting about Gift and proposal ideas during Valentine’s week is topical content. However, posting topical and relevant content is not enough. There are already thousands of blogs that provide similar information, thus, not succeeding in earning links. SEO practitioners need to provide out-of-the-box and surprising content to get the desired results. Continuing the above example, for valentine’s week, you can provide information about “How Couples Can Practice Their Love Language?” It will be something that couples might be interested in learning to improve their relationship.
What’s The Solution?
Know that the internet is filled with countless informative guides. So, SEO pros need to pay attention to the topics that are important but not covered widely. Present the information in a form that is easy to understand and holds its value. The use of pictures or infographics can also help make the content engaging.
Furthermore, topical and informative content will give an instant push to become a hit and provide quality backlinks. Learn what’s happening around the world and infuse useful information into the content.
Mistake 5: Poor Blogger Outreach
Last but not least, blogger outreach is a crucial pillar of every link-building campaign to help improve brand awareness. Using standard or one-liner personalization is expected by every blogger. It will not necessarily encourage them to connect with the brand. Thus, there is the likelihood of intentional avoidance. Not performing well at outreach means not getting quality backlinks, impacting the long-term planning of the campaign.
What’s The Solution?
Learning how to grab the attention of bloggers through hundreds of emails is crucial. Here’s how to do it:
- Create an impressive subject line:
- Keep the subject line short, simple, and clear.
- Include correct information.
- Include the desired results.
- Use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Create specified email body:
- Be straightforward with the information or request.
- Show the performance instead of merely telling.
- Avoid using sales or ambiguous language.
- Explain how your content will help them and their target audience.
- During follow-ups:
- Send no more than three emails.
- Call back to the previous emails.
- Understand bloggers are busy and get hundreds of emails, so be patient.
A Word From Very well
Quality and consistency are the two key factors that will help drive favorable SEO results. In addition to this, SEO practitioners must pay attention to the changing algorithm and provide valuable content to the target audience. It will make it easier to get quality backlinks and organic traffic to the webpage.
