What is Testimonial Link Building? 7 Steps to Build Them Easily!
There are many ways to build backlinks, but testimonial link building is a bit different. Instead of just focusing on links, this strategy helps you create real connections with brands you already use and trust.
This approach works best if you’ve had a good experience with a product or service and are willing to share your feedback. It’s a great option for small business owners, SEO professionals, or marketers looking for high-quality links while supporting brands they like.
In this article, we’ll explain how testimonial link building works, who can benefit from it, and walk you through easy steps to start using this strategy. If you want a simple and effective way to get strong backlinks while building trust, keep reading!
What is Testimonial Link Building?
Testimonial link building is a strategy where you provide a genuine review or feedback to a company in exchange for a backlink when they feature your testimonial on their website.
This method benefits both parties. You get a good backlink, and the company gets real user feedback to show they are trustworthy.
Why Are Testimonials and Reviews Effective for Link Building?
Testimonials and reviews are powerful for link building because they combine authenticity with value. Here’s why this strategy works so well:
1. Builds Trust and Credibility
When companies feature your testimonial, it shows they value your feedback, which builds trust. At the same time, your website benefits by being associated with a credible brand.
2. Earns High-Quality Backlinks
Companies are likely to link back to your website whenever they post your testimonial, which is organic and of high quality, promoting your SEO.
3. Strengthens Relationships with Brands
Providing a testimonial shows your appreciation for the product or service, fostering a better relationship with the brand. This can lead to more collaboration opportunities in the future.
4. Mutual Benefits
It’s a win-win situation. The company gets genuine feedback to improve their credibility, while you gain valuable backlinks and exposure.
5. Simple and Time-Saving
Unlike other strategies, testimonial link-building doesn’t require creating lengthy content or complex outreach. Sharing your honest feedback is quick and straightforward.
This approach not only helps your SEO but also aligns with building genuine connections, making it one of the most effective and straightforward link-building tactics.
How to Build Testimonial Links in 7 Simple Steps?
Follow these straightforward steps to create testimonial backlinks and boost your website’s authority effectively.
Step 1: Identify Reputable Brands You Use
Begin with making a list of tools, services, or products you’ve liked using. Make sure these match your website’s niche and are things your readers would also find useful. The idea is to choose brands with good websites that are likely to feature customer testimonials.
How to Pick the Right Brands
- Relevant to Your Website: Pick products or services that relate to the niche of your website. This means if your site is all about SEO, then pick tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush.
- Good for Your Audience: Think about what might also benefit your readers or customers.
- Trusted Websites: Focus on brands with well-known or high-traffic websites to get better-quality backlinks.
Simple Tips to Build Your List
- Look at What You Already Use: Start with the tools, apps, or services you regularly use.
- Browse Resource Pages: Check out resource pages from bloggers or influencers in your niche for ideas.
- Ask Around: See if anyone in your network has a product or service that could use a testimonial.
Let’s take an example from Presswhizz, a link-building company. Presswhizz uses Ahrefs, a popular SEO tool that likely plays a big role in improving their work. Since Ahrefs is directly related to their niche, it’s a smart choice for testimonial link building.
By sharing how Ahrefs benefits their business, Presswhizz got featured on Ahrefs’ website and earned a valuable backlink. This shows the value of choosing brands connected to your industry.
Step 2: Research Their Testimonial Opportunities
After creating your list of brands, check if they use customer testimonials. Although quite a few companies do show feedback on their websites, not all leave them easy to find.
How to Find Testimonial Opportunities
- Visit Their Website: Check pages like “Testimonials,” “Reviews,” or “Case Studies.” These are often linked in the footer or the “About Us” section.
- Look for Feedback Forms: Some companies ask for customer feedback on their “Contact Us” or “Support” pages.
- Search on Google: Try searching phrases like:
- “[Brand Name] testimonials”
- “[Brand Name] reviews”
- Check Your Emails: Some brands send emails a little later to request your opinions or reviews. Watch out for these opportunities.
- Ask Them Directly: If nothing is posted on their website, it is acceptable to send an email and simply ask if they are open to showing customer testimonials.
Add any details you find—like submission forms or email contacts—into your spreadsheet. This will help you keep track of where and how to submit your testimonial.
Doing this research ensures you don’t miss a chance to earn testimonial backlinks while sharing your positive experience.
Step 3: Find the Right Contact
Once you know a brand accepts testimonials, the next step is to figure out who to send it to. Reaching the right person makes it more likely that your testimonial will get noticed and featured.
How to Find the Right Contact
- Check Their Website: Look on the “Contact Us” or “About Us” pages for email addresses or forms.
- Look for Marketing or PR Teams: These teams often handle customer testimonials and reviews.
- Search on LinkedIn: Look for people working in roles like “Marketing Manager” or “Customer Success” at the company.
- Check Their Emails or Newsletters: Sometimes, brands include contact details or feedback requests in their emails.
- Google It: Search phrases like “[Brand Name] marketing contact” or “[Brand Name] testimonial email.”
Add the contact details—like names, emails, or links to forms—into your spreadsheet so you can follow up easily.
Finding the right person will save you time and increase your chances of having your testimonial shown. This can help to gain valuable testimonial backlinks.
Step 4: Craft a Compelling Pitch
Once you get the right contact, then write a simple and clear message stating the reasons why you want to give a testimonial. Use polite honesty in your statement so that it can be easily understandable.
How to Write a Simple Pitch
- Start with a Friendly Greeting: Use their name if you know it.
- Introduce Yourself: Briefly explain who you are and your website or business.
- Share Your Experience: Mention how their product or service has helped you in a specific way.
- Offer Your Testimonial: Let them know you’d like to share your feedback and support their brand.
- Keep It Easy: Ask if they have any guidelines for the testimonial and include your website link for the backlink.
📣 Example Pitch
Hi [Name],
I’m [Your Name] from [Your Website/Business]. I’ve been using [Product/Service Name] for a while, and it has really helped me with [specific benefit].
I’d love to share my feedback as a testimonial if that would be helpful for you. Let me know if you have any specific guidelines or need more details.
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Step 5: Write a Genuine and Specific Testimonial
Once your pitch is accepted, write a testimonial that feels real and helpful. It should clearly explain your experience with the product or service and how it helped you.
How to Write a Simple Testimonial
- Be Honest: Talk about your real experience with the product or service.
- Be Specific: Mention something particular you liked or how it solved a problem. For example, instead of saying “It’s amazing,” say, “It helped me organize my tasks better and save time.”
- Keep It Short: A few clear sentences work better than long paragraphs.
- Add a Personal Touch: Share how it made your work or life easier.
- Check for Errors: Read it again to make sure it’s clear and free of mistakes.
Step 6: Follow Up After Sending
After sending your testimonial, you should, therefore, follow up if you do not hear back. Sometimes, people simply miss or overlook their emails, and a little reminder may help them notice.
How to Follow Up
- Wait a Week or Two: Give them enough time to review your testimonial before following up.
- Send a Friendly Reminder: Keep it short and polite. Let them know you’re checking in to see if they received your testimonial.
- Include Your Details: Mention when you sent the testimonial and include a copy if needed.
- Be Patient and Polite: Even if they don’t respond right away, keep your tone friendly and professional.
✉️ Example Follow-Up Email
Hi [Name],
I just wanted to follow up on the testimonial I sent about [Product/Service Name] on [date]. I wanted to check if you received it or if you need anything else from me.
Looking forward to hearing back!
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Step 7: Track Your Backlinks
After your testimonial is featured, it’s important to check if the backlink has been added. This helps you know the link is live and working properly, and it also lets you see how it’s helping your SEO.
How to Track Your Backlinks
- Use SEO Tools: Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console can show you if the backlink is live.
- Check the Page Yourself: Visit the page where your testimonial is featured to make sure your link is there and pointing to the correct page.
- Set Up Alerts: Use tools like Google Alerts to get updates if your link is added or removed.
- Keep a Record: Add the link to your spreadsheet to keep track of all the backlinks you’ve earned.
🔔 How to Set Up Google Alerts?
- Go to Google Alerts: Visit Google Alerts.
- Enter Search Terms: Use your name, business name, website URL, or a unique sentence from your testimonial (e.g., “Ahrefs improved our SEO rankings by 30%”).
- Customize Alerts: Set how often you want updates and enter your email.
- Create Alert: Click “Create Alert,” and Google will notify you when your testimonial is published.
Outreach Monks: Your Go-To Link Building Partner
Outreach Monks helps businesses from all kinds of industries build strong and reliable backlinks. Whether you’re in SaaS, e-commerce, or any other niche, we create high-quality links to improve your website’s authority.
The stronger the domain authority, the higher your website will appear in Google. That increases the visits to a website, which further helps in the growth of the business. We handle everything so you can focus on your business, and we work on improving your online presence.
Let us help you build the backlinks you need to succeed!
Conclusion
Testimonial link building is a smart way to get good backlinks and make meaningful connections with brands. It’s easy, works well, and really helps your SEO.
But to beat your competition, you should also try guest blogging, niche edits, and finding and fixing broken links.
An agency like Outreach Monks can help you combine these strategies to grow your website’s authority and achieve long-term success.
FAQs on Testimonial Link Building
Do Companies Always Provide Backlinks for Testimonials?
Not always. Some may use your testimonial without linking back. To avoid this, mention in your pitch that you’d like a backlink or include your website link in the testimonial.
How Can I Tell if a Company Accepts Testimonials?
Can I Write a Testimonial for a Company I Haven’t Used?
No, it’s important to be honest. Writing a fake testimonial can harm your reputation and may lead to rejection.
What If a Company Accepts My Testimonial but Doesn’t Add a Backlink?
Follow up politely and request a link to your website. Let them know it helps share your feedback and support your business.
Are Testimonial Backlinks Safe for SEO?
Yes, as long as they are genuine and earned naturally. Avoid fake testimonials or paying for links, as this can hurt your SEO.
How Many Testimonial Backlinks Do I Need?
There’s no specific number. Testimonial backlinks are a good addition to your strategy, but combine them with other methods like guest posting and niche edits for the best results.
Does Testimonial Link Building Work for Every Industry?
It works well for industries where tools, services, or products often ask for customer feedback, like SaaS, marketing tools, or e-commerce.
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