In a recent post, Doug discussed the basics of off page and on page SEO and how you can start generating higher rankings for pages on your website with link exchanges, blog post comments and directory comments. However, for those that are actively pursuing those links and want to improve their SERPs (search engine ranking positions), here are some specific tips on how to start generating those links.
Step 1 - Create a Content Plan
Google has made it abundantly clear that they want to see high quality content added to your website on a recurring basis. No cheating. No reposting. No duplicates. If we accept this premise, it actually makes off-page SEO significantly easier, because it breaks it down into two distinct steps.
This is about off-page SEO, however, so you must also extend your content plan to include off-page marketing opportunities. In this, there are a few things you can do:First, we create a content plan, then we generate links to that content. In creating your content plan (reference my steps for generating such a plan here), you will determine what content your ideal audience wants to read, what keyword opportunities are available and how often to update your site with fresh content.
Guest Post Opportunities - Contact blog owners in your niche (or like-niches) and ask if they accept guest posts. Produce high quality content and submit it for publication on those blogs in exchange for a link. This not only produces a high value backlink to your website, but improves the perception of your brand through that quality content.
Web 2.0 - There was a time when you could syndicate content on sites like Squidoo, Hubpages and Tumblr, but a more effective strategy now is to create fresh cont
ent and use it as a link to your site. Create web 2.0 portals on free sites like these and link that content back to your main site.
Social Media - Social media does not provide direct links so much as increase your audience and the number of people likely to link to your content. Post valuable content to social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Google+ and grow your follower base to generate new links to your site.
Step 2 - Build Links to Your Site
You’ll notice that everything we did above already did this. Again, Google’s new rules make the process conceptually simpler. But there are additional steps you can take to improve your off-page SEO efforts.
Whenever new content is posted on your website, make sure it is quickly indexed through social bookmarking services like Reddit and Digg as well as social media sites. Next, actively seek backlinks by posting in-depth comments on blog posts in your niche. Most blog comment forms allow you to leave a backlink to your site. Don’t actively seek any one type of link (no follow and follow links are equally valuable now thanks to Google algorithm changes), but make sure your comments provide actual value.
Other backlinking sources include comments on forums, directory submissions and direct exchanges of links with other industry leaders (non-competitors). If you use these strategies in combination with a strong content plan, you will be surprised by how quickly your website starts to rank for terms you never thought would be possible.
If you have any success stories surrounding your link building efforts please let us know in the comments below!!
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