Did you know in one month, Google can make major changes to its algorithms around five times or more? This can mean sudden drops and gains in your SERPS ranking and your overall SEO rating. So how do you keep your website ahead of the curve?
One way is with a sound backlink strategy using approved techniques. Read on as we discuss white hat link building.
What Is White Hat Link Building?
If you want to know how to do white hat link building, you must also understand what not to do. This means you should grasp the types of hats involved in SEO. These are black, grey and white.
Black Hat
Black hat SEO is the one to avoid. It is a method in which unorthodox and sometimes illegal methods are used to build links. Very often, these can result in you actually getting penalized by search engines.
You may have seen black hat SEO in comment sections of websites when people spam their links. This provides a backlink to their website, which should provide a boost to SEO. However, with the sophistication of modern search engines, it is often easy for them to see it as spam and it can negatively impact the site.
Other techniques involve using your own personal blog network (PBN) to create links. Automated services to create content or build links can also be used.
Grey Hat
Grey hat techniques are ones that flirt the line between black and white hat link-building strategies. Here, search engines have not decided if the practices are allowed or forbidden. It may involve purchasing old domains, buying social media followers, or creating duplicate content.
The problem with grey hat techniques is that they may be fine for now, but this could change. If Google adapts its algorithm overnight and you are on the wrong side of it, a site that had a great backlink profile may then be persona non grata.
White Hat
White hat link-building strategies are ones that search engines favor to help you grow links. They are natural and organic, and as such take time. It may involve building a social media following, getting organic links from your content on websites, or getting links from writing guest posts.
White Hat Link Building Strategies
It is tempting to indulge in grey and black hat techniques as they are quicker and take less effort. However, for a long-term strategy with low risk, white hat techniques are the only way to go.
Guest Posting
Guest posting involves creating content that gets placed on other people’s websites. This may sound counterproductive, but everyone gets something from the deal. Website owners get well-created content, and you get a backlink.
As well as looking good for search engines, this also positions you as an authority. The more websites people see you on, the more they will come to know and trust you and your company. By doing this regularly, your SEO juice will increase and you may see an uptake in traffic.
Reclaiming Links
This is particularly useful for anyone building a brand. All you do is search online for instances when your brand has been mentioned. You then message the website, thank them for the mention and ask them to backlink.
Another method is to reclaim links that have been broken. This may be because you changed your website, removed a product or service, or took away content. This means that you have lost previous links.
Use your SEO tools to check for broken links. Find out what they were linking to and find a suitable replacement. Then you just need to email the company and ask them to replace the link with the one you provide.
Resource Pages
If you have a local business or a brick-and-mortar store, then local businesses should not be overlooked. Check all your regional forums and business directories. Message the web owners and ask them if it is possible to be listed with a backlink to your website.
Content Creation
Content creation is the best way to build backlinks. It works on multiple levels. The easiest way to start is by creating a great piece of content, be it a blog, video, or podcast.
This then gets shared on social media. People comment on it and bring traffic to your website. As people reference it, they will start to link it naturally for you.
You can speed up the process with some proactive steps. Contact online media outlets such as websites, magazines, news stations, and podcasts. If you can get them to cover your content, you can then begin to get great backlinks to increase your SEO score.
Testimonials
Testimonials are another great way of building SEO tactics where everyone involved gets something from the deal. It starts by reaching out to others businesses that you have used the services of.
When you contact them, ask if they would be interested in getting testimonials from you and your company. Provide a great reference, and ask them to backlink the company. You get a backlink from the site and they get a great reference from an established business.
Commenting on Blogs
Commenting on blogs is an easy way to get backlinks that also increases your brand awareness. By finding a few high-quality, high-authority blogs you can position yourself as an expert in your field. You will get backlinks and people will see your name, helping to build your brand identity.
White Hat Link Building
Like many things in life, nothing worth doing comes easy. White hat link building takes time and effort. However, it will pay off as a long-term strategy and will produce results.
You can always get professional assistance, and your firsts top shop be the E Comm Board Room. As well as resources to assist, we have a host of services. Click here to see everything we offer and let us help you thrive in the digital economy.
