With the amountāof competition in the ecommerce sphere, it is not easy to stand out from the crowd. With millions of online shops competing for attention, how can youāmake sure your website stands out? The answer is linkābuilding ā a potent SEO tactic that can immensely amplify your siteās visibility, authority, and traffic. However, notāevery link-building strategy is the same. In this article, weāll cover 14 of the best strategies for ecommerce link building ā along with actionable tips, examples, and expert opinionsāto help you crush the competition in the digital world. Letās get started! š”
What is Link š Building and Why Does It Matter?
Before we jump into the strategies, letās quickly define what link building is. In simple terms, link building is the process of acquiring backlinksālinks from other websites to your own. These backlinks act as āvotes of confidenceā in the eyes of search engines like Google, signaling that your content is valuable and trustworthy. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your site will rank in search results.
For ecommerce businesses, link building is especially crucial because it:
- DrivesĀ organic trafficĀ to your product pages.
- BuildsĀ brand authorityĀ and trust.
- Helps you outrank competitors in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Now that weāve covered the basics, letās explore the top 14 strategies to supercharge your ecommerce link-building efforts. š
1. Create High-Quality, Shareable Content š
Content is the backbone of any successful link-building campaign. By creating valuable, informative, and engaging content, you naturally attract backlinks from other websites. For ecommerce businesses, this could include:
- Product guides: Detailed tutorials on how to use your products.
- Buyerās guides: Comparisons of different products to help customers make informed decisions.
- Industry reports: Original research or data that others in your niche will want to reference.
Example: If you sell fitness equipment, you could create a guide titled ā10 Best Home Gym Setups for Small Spaces.ā This type of content is highly shareable and likely to earn backlinks from fitness blogs and forums.
2. Leverage Influencer Partnerships š¤
Influencers are a goldmine for ecommerce link building. By collaborating with influencers in your niche, you can tap into their audience and earn valuable backlinks. Hereās how:
- Send them free products to review.
- Co-create content, such as blog posts or videos.
- Ask them to link to your site in their social media bios or blog posts.
Pro Tip: Micro-influencers (those with smaller but highly engaged audiences) can be just as effectiveāand often more affordableāthan big-name influencers.
3. Build Relationships with Bloggers and Journalists š°
Building genuine relationships with bloggers and journalists can lead to organic backlinks. Reach out to them with personalized pitches, offering your expertise or unique insights on trending topics in your industry. For example:
- If you sell eco-friendly products, pitch a story on sustainable living.
- If you run a fashion ecommerce store, offer tips on the latest trends.
Case Study: Outdoor retailer REI earned backlinks from major publications like The New York Times by positioning themselves as experts in outdoor recreation and sustainability.
4. Use Broken Link Building š ļø
Broken link building is a clever strategy that involves finding broken links on other websites and suggesting your content as a replacement. Hereās how it works:
- Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find broken links in your niche.
- Reach out to the website owner, politely pointing out the broken link and suggesting your relevant content as a replacement.
Example: If you sell kitchen gadgets and find a broken link to a ā10 Best Blendersā article, you could suggest your own blender guide as a replacement.
5. Optimize for Guest Blogging āļø
Guest blogging involves writing articles for other websites in exchange for a backlink to your site. To succeed with this strategy:
- Target websites with high domain authority in your niche.
- Pitch unique, high-quality content that aligns with their audienceās interests.
Pro Tip: Avoid generic guest posts. Instead, focus on creating content that provides real value and positions you as an authority in your field.
6. Create Linkable Assets šÆ
Linkable assets are pieces of content specifically designed to attract backlinks. These could include:
- Infographics: Visual representations of data or information.
- Tools or calculators: Interactive resources that solve a problem for your audience.
- Ebooks or whitepapers: In-depth guides on a specific topic.
Example: An ecommerce store selling skincare products could create an infographic titled āThe Science Behind Skincare Ingredients,ā which dermatologists and beauty bloggers would likely link to.
7. Run Contests and Giveaways š
Contests and giveaways are a fun way to generate buzz and earn backlinks. Encourage participants to share your contest on their blogs or social media profiles in exchange for entries. Make sure the prize is relevant to your audience to attract the right kind of attention.
Example: A pet supply store could run a giveaway for a yearās worth of dog food, asking participants to link to the contest from their blogs or websites.
8. Harness the Power of Testimonials š
If youāve worked with other businesses or influencers, ask them to include a backlink to your site in their testimonials. This not only builds credibility but also earns you valuable backlinks.
Pro Tip: Offer to write a testimonial for them in exchange, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
9. Submit Your Site to Online Directories š
While not as powerful as they once were, online directories can still provide valuable backlinksāespecially if theyāre niche-specific. Look for directories that cater to your industry and submit your site for inclusion.
Example: If you run a handmade jewelry store, submit your site to directories like Etsy or Handmade Artistsā Shop.
10. Use Social Media to Amplify Your Content š±
Social media isnāt just for engagementāitās also a powerful tool for link building. Share your content across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and encourage your followers to share it as well. The more visibility your content gets, the more likely it is to earn backlinks.
Pro Tip: Use hashtags strategically to reach a wider audience.
11. Partner with Complementary Brands š¤
Collaborating with brands that complement your products can lead to valuable backlinks. For example:
- If you sell yoga mats, partner with a brand that sells yoga apparel.
- Co-create content or run joint promotions, and link to each otherās sites.
12. Optimize Your Product Pages for SEO š
Your product pages are prime real estate for earning backlinks. Make sure theyāre optimized for SEO by:
- Using high-quality images and videos.
- Writing detailed product descriptions.
- Including customer reviews and testimonials.
Example: A well-optimized product page for a pair of running shoes could earn backlinks from fitness bloggers and review sites.
13. Leverage User-Generated Content šø
Encourage your customers to create content featuring your products, such as photos, videos, or reviews. Share this content on your site and social media, and ask the creators to link back to your product pages.
Pro Tip: Create a branded hashtag to make it easy for customers to share their content.
14. Monitor Your Competitorsā Backlinks š
Finally, keep an eye on your competitorsā backlinks to identify opportunities for your own site. Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to analyze their backlink profiles and reach out to the same websites for links.
Example: If a competitor has a backlink from a popular blog, consider pitching your own content to the same blog.
Conclusionā³
Link building is not a one-time dealāitās a process that canātake time, creativity, and persistence. With these 14 strategies in yourāarsenal, youāll be well on with building a strong link profile that brings traffic, improve your search rankings, and position your ecommerce brand as a trusted resource in your market.
The success of link building largely depends on the quality ratherāthan the quantity. A handful of high-quality backlinks from trusted sourcesāholds far more value than hundreds of low-authority links. So get started with theseāstrategies and take your ecommerce business to great heights! š