Do you ever click past the first page on Google’s results page?
You’re not alone.
In fact, 95 percent of web traffic is generated by Google’s page one results.
When people search for questions and keywords around your industry on Google, how fast do you come up? Are you even on the first page?
You understand that without search engine visibility, your business is basically toast. That’s why search engine optimization (SEO) strategies matter; if your competitors can play the Google game better than you then they’re funneling your customers straight to themselves.
Inbound links, which are also referred to as backlinks, help Google understand two things: where the authoritative content is and where the best user experiences are.
The more reputable sites that link to you, the more Google understands that:
A) People trust your site and find it useful, and
B) People are having a good experience on your site.
Google’s entire business model depends on consistently giving their users the best internet experience possible.
So, you have to build up an impressive web of inbound links to your site. Google’s algorithm determines your position on the results page by a number of factors. The volume of inbound links is surely one of the most important factors determining how much traffic your website generates.
The most important part, though, is to make sure that your web content is so amazing that it is worth the backlinks it gets.
The higher up the page your website sits, the greater the number of clicks you’ll receive.
That’s why fighting for your spot on the page is really important. And that’s what SEO (search engine optimization) is all about.
But it’s not only about the number of links. It’s about the quality of the link.
So, how do you get more traffic through inbound links?
Read Our Top 10 Ways to Increase Site Traffic:
1. Establish Your Brand on Social Media
Lots of website owners assume that social media and SEO are two totally separate things. But they’re extremely related to each other.
Social media is a free-to-use marketing tool that allows you to reach out to a wide audience. You can raise awareness of your brand and boost sales by connecting with people on social media.
It’s important to consider which social media platform is most suitable for your target audience. For example, Facebook is especially popular among the demographic group aged 45-54 years old. Whereas, Snapchat appeals most to younger users.
Part of staying relevant (and developing links!) is making sure your social media accounts are up to date and that you are connecting with your audience via Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
2. Review Services & Products Online
Another important way of increasing your inbound links is by reviewing stuff.
But what kind of stuff? Anything really. Although, it’s best to review stuff that’s relevant to your brand image and products.
This allows you to make connections with other websites that promote products or services to the same target group as you.
3. Guest Blogging
Guest blogging is when you write a blog for another website. Yes, it’s kind of giving something for nothing. But there’s always benefits too.
By writing blogs for other people, you get the opportunity to reach out to a completely new audience.
Furthermore, you can show off your expertise and knowledge. Thus, establishing yourself as an authority within your niche.
The best websites to guest blog are those that have a similar audience base, but a totally different product.
You need to identify a website you’d like to write for and pitch a post. If they like, you’re on board.
4. Join the Debate Online
By joining the debate online around your niche, you can adventure out of your website. You need to be able to connect and engage with your target audience.
This includes writing blog posts about an important topic in your niche. Or, producing a Youtube video that demonstrates your fresh twist on an old topic.
The aim of the game is to get your name out there as a credible authority. By showing you know what you’re talking about. And you’re not scared of sharing your opinion with others.
5. Outbound Links
Why would anyone link to your website if you don’t return the favor?
One of the surest ways of improving the quality of your inbound links is by linking to other authoritative websites. By associating yourself with the top players in your niche, you’ll capture the attention of Google’s algorithm.
Make sure you link to websites that are relevant to your website. For example, if you’re a business style website, link to Forbes, Huffington Post and the Financial Times.
6. Co-Publish Blogs
Do you know someone in the industry who would be willing to co-publish a blog with you?
Collaborating with others is a great way to boost your profile in your niche. If the other blogger has a wide following, this plays to your advantage too.
Do you have a totally different perspective to the other blogger on a specific subject? That’s a great way to raise an issue and show both sides.
7. Update Your Business Listings
Keep your business up to date on hours, sales and more. Keeping your business listings up to date, your website design fresh, (which includes making it load quickly and making it mobile-friendly), and make sure everything you link to is relevant. Have you updated your directory and business listings recently?
If you don’t have updated and consistent listings you could damage your brand’s reputation. Make sure you have all of the important information, such as; address, website, social media profiles and business name.
8. Get a Design Makeover
Of course, when it comes to driving traffic to your website, it’s style over substance. However, users also enjoy navigating around a website if they prefer the design.
Maybe your website is looking a bit last year. You might consider getting a makeover to see if you can generate more traffic that way.
9. Mobile Friendliness
Since 2016, mobile devices have been the most popular method of accessing the internet. If you don’t have a mobile-friendly website, you’re risking alienating a large percentage of your audience.
You simply can’t afford to miss out on the traffic you could be generating by ensuring you have a fast-loading mobile-friendly site.
10. Most Important of All: Produce Great Content
This is always what you need to start with. Informative, relevant content.
It doesn’t really matter if you do all of the above if you don’t produce great content that people actually want to read.
You can produce all kinds of different types of content from Youtube videos to infographics to blogs to podcasts. Whatever drives people to your website.
The best content is unique and relevant. Don’t just repeat what someone else’s doing on another website. But also, make sure your content is related to your brand image.
Lastly, don’t forget to ensure that your content is SEO-optimized with keywords and packed with links.
How to Get Inbound Links
Now you know the top 10 ways of driving traffic to your website through inbound links. It’s simply the only way to demonstrate to Google that you’re a legitimate and credible website.
If you can persuade the big hitters in your niche industry to link to your website. As far as Google is concerned, that must mean you’re an authoritative website too.
Do you want to find out more about SEO marketing? Get in touch with us today for advice and guidance on your digital marketing strategy.
