Backlink Builders

Michael Buczek - March 28, 2008

Many times when the topic of link building comes up, people cringe. This is because it is one of the most difficult aspects of SEO. Link building is a task that is never complete, and the rules are changing all the time. Many people focus on submitting their website to different directories relating to their site. This is a great way to build links, but not the only way. Check out these ideas for other ways to build links.

Create a top 5 or 10 list
People look for things to make their lives easier. If you can provide a “top” list of tips, tricks or other important things that help someone do something, they may link to you. The reason people like lists is that they are easy to digest, and they don’t have to read through lots of copy to find what they are looking for. The more helpful your list, the more likely someone will link to it.

Build a tool collection, or develop your own.
Along with lists, people like tools to make their lives or jobs easier. As an SEO Engineer, I am always looking for and building tools to make my job easier. If you can offer your customer or visitor helpful tools to, there is more of a chance that they will link to you.

LinkedIn Account
By now many people have heard of or used LinkedIn. For those of you who aren’t familiar, it is a social site for the business world. You create a profile which can include a résumé and other information. The great thing about LinkedIn is that it allows you to include websites in your profile. In researching companies with LinkedIn accounts, I have found that some search engines are counting links from LinkedIn as backlinks.

Submit Press Releases and Articles
Many sites already have a news or press section of the site. How many are really utilizing this content? There are many sites out there, which can syndicate these press releases. Not only will it be possible for another source to pick up this valuable information, but the release site will allow you to link to your site.

Start a Blog
Blogging is all the rage right now. Everyone and their brother has a blog. Do You? You may be asking what the fuss is all about. The reason blogs have become so popular and important is because it gives people the ability to share their views and beliefs to a mass audience. This is great for the individual. What about the business? In SEO terms, blogs are useful because they give search engines fresh content. Depending on how often you blog, you can see some fascinating results. I have seen Search Engines index a blog post minutes after it has been posted. If you can update your blog regularly, you can help the search engines as well as the user get more engaged with your site and product.