The Proven System We Use (and You Can Too) to Build HIGH Quality Backlinks

The Process: Step by Step

We have a completely bespoke approach for each link building client.

We believe in keeping you fully informed of exactly how and why we earn links.

That's why we're fully transparent.

Here's our entire white hat link building service, step by step.

Check it out...

1. Discovery

First, we need to understand your business and your goals.

Example questions include:

• What are your business and marketing goals?
• Who is your ideal customer?
• What are the goals of this link building campaign?
• Have you engaged in any SEO or link building previously?

Your answers to these 'discovery' questions will help determine your link building strategy.

The right links can GROW your search rankings and traffic and drive MORE sales and revenue. But, the wrong ones can get your site penalised.

Effective link building is now all about trust, authority and popularity. Only high quality backlinks work now.

Read on to see how you can create these white hat backlinks...

2. Setup

Creating a solid foundation for your future link building efforts is important. These three simple steps will ensure you're on the right track.

Project Reporting Setup

The Project Tracker document is used to manage your link building campaign. These reporting documents will be added to Google Sheets, and updated by in real time.

You will have access to this reporting, 24/7 through your web browser.

Examples of this tracker can be seen below in the 7. Reporting section.

Create Email Account

This email account will typically be used to represent the business owner.

This will increase the likelihood of getting a positive response, when link targets are contacted.

Google Analytics and Search Console Access

Your Google Analytics and Google Search Console accounts will allow us to audit your website's performance, in the following step.

It's important to see how your website visitor's engage with the content. Also, to find out what keywords are driving traffic.

3. SEO Audit

Analyse Google Data

This is where the work really starts. By careful analysis of both Google Analytics and Google Search accounts, we can find ranking opportunities for your site. This initial analysis and keyword research will help to create your link building strategy. A few things we look for in your website's data include:

• the most popular content
• keywords phrases the site already ranks well for but could benefit from a boost; if Google already likes your content for these search terms, we just make Google love them a little more
• keywords that get impressions, but no engagement or clicks

Off Site Audit

We'll use powerful SEO tools to analyse your incoming links and their anchor text ratio.

This is to make sure you have a natural keyword ratio and no spammy links are bringing it down.

Analyse Anchor Text Ratio

If all of a website's links use the anchors you want to rank for, it looks unnatural. This very rarely occurs in the real world, and could trigger an over optimisation penalty. If we spot anything unusual, we can build some links with some more natural looking anchors to include your company name and URL.

Links Audit

It's important to take a close look at your existing links to make sure there's nothing unnatural or spammy. In the past, we've worked with companies who used low-quality SEO services, which had been penalised by Google for unnatural links.

Some of the key factors we look at include:

• Whether your current links safe and unnatural?
• How do your metrics measure up; for example, are the following all in order: Domain Rating, URL Rating, Organic Traffic, etc.
• Check the relevancy of your backlink profile, that is, do you have any links from relevant quality websites already?
• Are there any opportunities that could be improved upon by using a manual outreach campaign.

Competitor Analysis

We see which of your competitors are ranking for relevant keywords. Then we reverse engineer their backlink profiles to see which link building strategies would work well for your site. Now we can filter all the relevant link opportunities in order of priority, so we target high quality links first.

On Site Audit

You may have heard of the old saying that 'content is king'. Well, this is particularly true when it comes to building links. The better your content is, the more likely you will be to earn high quality links.

It's important to look at exactly what kind of content attract links or what makes it 'link worthy'.

We do know that Google has a form of 'quality score' for websites. This is used to determine which pages rank for a given search query.

It's often the case that the most relevant (and best) content with the highest authority links will usually rank higher. So to earn links, you'll need to produce the best article of it's kind. For example, long-form content like a properly formatted article of 2,000 or more words, with high-resolution multi-media (video and images) embedded.

You may 'think' a blog with 500 word generic articles (which were each created in half an hour), will be OK when it comes to building links. They may well inform and educate your existing customers. But they certainly will NOT cut it when it comes to ranking your site in Google.

Analyse Content

• What type of content exists on your site right now?
• Is content being created regularly?
• Do you have a content marketing plan for your site?
• Do you have someone actively involved in regular content creation?
• Does your content generate any social engagement, e.g. many likes or shares of your content?
• Are you promoting new content by using distribution channels like email and social media channels, in order to get social shares?
• Are you happy to invest in creating some great, link worthy content (and content promotion)?

Initial Content Strategy

Based on the answers from the above step, we can typically proceed in one of two ways:

1. Your current content is simply awesome:-
   Great! We'll make a record of the most linkable pieces of content. These URL's will be added to the Project Planner Google sheet, so they're easily accessible when it comes to building links.
   
   OR
   
   
2. Your current content is not suitable:-
   This actually happens quite a lot.
   We'll simply come up with a plan to create some great, linkable, original content. No problem!
   If you already have an in-house content creator or a reliable writer, then great.
   If not, we can hire a content creator on your behalf. It's an additional expense, and a budget of should be allowed for, so we can create the right type of content - more importantly, that's linkable.
   

It's important we establish a content budget for both on-site content (for your website) and off-site content (for placing posts on other sites).

If you aren't willing to invest in content, you'll be missing out on some great opportunities.

High-quality content will give your site a major advantage, by making sure your link building campaign is much more successful. Remember that your investment in content creation will work hard for the lifetime of your site.

Also, any required content must be approved quickly (24-48 hours maximum) by the client, as this ensures we get the best link placements.

4. Project Management Plan

By now we should have a good idea of:

• your keywords, converting pages, and linkable content assets
• your industry and niche competition
• your past link building efforts
• your business's unique selling point

Based on this research and analysis, We'll develop your custom link building campaign. The entire link building process will be documented in your Project Tracker.

The Project Tracker is the main reporting document, which does all the heavy lifting by recording all the information related to your outreach campaign. This document is updated in real time and you and your in house team can see the campaign's progress at any time. Information reported includes: content, keywords, target sites and live links.

Add SEO Audit data to Project Tracker

We will record the findings from the 2. Initial SEO Audit section above, into the Project Tracker 'Targets' tab. This will track all the content we'll be using in our campaign.

Creating a long list of Link Targets

We create a massive list of search queries. Advanced Google Search Operators (powerful combinations of words and characters) filters out specific search results from Google. This provides a focused list of target industry-relevant websites we can work with.

Link Type Selection

Now you've got a solid foundation, we need to establish the right link building techniques to use.

This will be based on the content you currently have, your budget and whether you're willing to add new content to your site. A few starting link types which are a suitable match for your site will then be chosen. These won't be the only types of links built. But, they'll form a great foundation for future work.

If you're in one of the less interesting industries (for instance, grey widget manufacturer); or, if you have little or no linkable content on your site, the best option would be to get links by placing content on other relevant quality sites, like local bloggers or non-competing, related sites.

A list of the type of links can be seen here: 4. Link Building Strategies

Creating your Project Management Plan

Now that the research stage has been completed (in steps 1 and 2 above), we're ready to build out your detailed SEO link building plan.

We'll develop a structured, long-term link-building strategy. The roadmap of all the tasks needed to deliver your campaign over the next few months, will be added to the project management tab in your project tracker.

Each task will be updated in real time, and allocated a status of 'assigned', 'working' or 'completed'.

This will give you full transparency of the work that's been completed, and also what we'll be doing in the coming months.

5. Link Building Strategies

We have over 20 link building methods we regularly use. The types of link building used in your campaign depend on the specific website, niche and a number of other factors.

We won't use all the link building tactics for your site. Only the white hat strategies that are most relevant and make most sense for your business (Strictly no shady, black hat tactics, like private blogging networks which are against Google webmaster guidelines).

Core Strategies

Resource Pages

This is a page listing (as you may have guessed) useful resources about a specific subject. They exist on millions of authoritative websites across many industries.

If you have a relevant resource it should be on these pages. If you don't, we can create one together.

Broken Link Building

The above method can be used in conjunction with broken link building. we find (dead) links, which don't work any more and offer your resource as the best alternative to link to.

Link Roundups

These have been around since the beginning of the internet. Web masters to this day, continue to aggregate their favourite links and articles, into roundups.

If you can show them something worth sharing, they can include your piece of high-quality content in a relevant roundup.

Sponsored Posts

A lot of sites will accept money in exchange for writing blog posts about your service or product, and of course get a link back from a highly relevant, authoritative website. This can give you a serious competitive advantage. Particularly in high competition industries.

Sponsored posts are also a great way to get your product or service in front of an audience of buyers.

Guest Posts (or content placements)

Guest posting links are ideal if you don't have any suitable content available on your site. We'll find and approach guest blogging sites in your industry using manual outreach, which accept guest post placements. Then offer them some great content ideas. Once they decide the article they want, We'll arrange to get it written and published.

Link Reclamation

There are two types of link reclamation. Finding unlinked brand mentions of your company. Or finding places that have previously linked to you, but later removed it. In either case, we politely ask to either add a new link, or make it active again.

Bridge method (industry based)

We find businesses related to yours, but not in direct competition. Then, ask them for a link.

For instance, a marketing agency which links to a web designer's site; they're related and very relevant, but not in competition.

Bridge method (geo location based)

Find sites based in the same geographic location as your business, in non-competing niches. Approach them with the offer of two businesses helping each other out; mutual content placements and links, etc.

For instance, a page listing recommended, trusted local providers to your site can be a great way to earn reciprocal links.

Online PR

Real PR (which is what we're discussing here), is a long term method.

If you have a unique story (or unique selling point), we can leverage this for your public relations. It needs to be worthy of the attention of local journalists, or publications like Buzzfeed and The Huffington Post.

We simply reach out to them to add your link to either a past article or a new, upcoming one. They'll often ask for money, but it's probably a lot less than a PR company would charge you. Additionally, this type of coverage is worth every single penny, with a potential massive upside, particularly if it attracts attention for your business from major news outlets.

Other local PR opportunities include local newspapers and local TV and radio stations. These news outlets love stories about local businesses which stand out in their community. For instance, a business that sponsors a local football team.

Pillowing Tactics (for link diversity)

Manufacturer Links (for ecom stores)

Ideal if a business sells a product made by somebody else. Manufacturers' sites will often have lists of distributors or people who use their products.

Video Syndication

Video marketing is simply huge. YouTube may be the 2nd largest search engine on the Internet. But, it isn't the only video sharing site.

There are now multiple platforms where you can to share your videos, like Vimeo. Links are usually allowed in the video's description.

Blog/Forum Commenting

Many view this as a spammy tactic. But, if used correctly, this form of blogger outreach can be extremely effective in building links, gaining targeted traffic, as well having the opportunity to build a relationship with the blogger or community.

Events and Conferences

Are you planning to speak at a conference? Is your company exhibiting at an event? If so, you may be able to get a mention on the organiser's site.

Directory links

Despite their spammy reputation, there are still some excellent, high quality directories around.

Find industry relevant ones. Some are free, others require a membership fee, but often worth it to get decent quality links.

Extra Tactics

Infographics

Infographics are a great way for your audience to easily visualise complex statistics. This approach works well if you have a solid set of statistics or data you've gathered over time, especially if that data is exclusive to you.

There may be high-authority websites writing about your topic, but don't have access to your data. They'll often embed your infographic, along with a link back to your site. Also, there are literally hundreds of infographics sharing sites.

Skyscraper Method

This approach, has been around for ages, but more recently popularised by by Brian Dean.

In simple terms, you find a piece of content that has lots of links, but is rather out dated or could be improved in some way. You simply make a better version of the article. Then you contact all the sites linking to the original article, offer them your better version. Not as easy as it seems, but useful if you can create awesome content.

6. Personalised Outreach Campaigns

Prospecting

By this stage, we've got everything we need to start targeting websites:

• Which keywords would be best for you to rank for
• What content can be used to attract links
• The types of links we're going to target for you
• The search phrases we'll use to find relevant link targets

The process of prospecting is using these 4 things to create a list of targets. This is a constantly ongoing process, and will change for you on a daily basis. Your Project Tracker will be updated with these details in real time.

Find Target Opportunities

We try as hard as possible to find the personal contact email as well as the real name of the person we're contacting. This makes outreach more effective.

Personalised Outreach to Opportunities

Our link building campaigns are successful because we personally reach out to each target website owner.

For each target, we'll craft a personalised email, based on their name and type of link we're looking for. Different link types require their own specific approaches. For example, tailoring the outreach for writing an article on a target site would be very different to trying to get a backlink to our article on their resource page.

By nurturing a professional relationship with the target, you're building a firm foundation for the future.

Follow Up

It's human nature for people to delay responding to an email, especially if they have a full Inbox. Which is why follow up emails are sent to targets who haven't responded. It indicates you're a real person who's making a personal proposal

7. Results and Link Expectations

By using this step by step guide, you do so simply because you want more traffic to your website and better search engine rankings. And, you understand that links are the number #1 ranking factor to making that happen.

Results

The results of your outreach campaigns will be tracked using two main key performance indicators:

1. Growth in referral traffic
   This is a measure of the increase in your traffic from people clicking through on the links we've built. These website visitors click on your link because they're interested in whatever we've presented to them.
   This extremely targeted traffic converts exceptionally well into customers or buyers for your products or services.
2. Growth in organic search traffic
   As we're building contextual links on relevant, high-authority websites, it signals to Google your website is better too. This results in higher organic rankings (i.e. keyword rankings), and you’ll be rewarded with organic traffic growth.
   As these people are actively searching for what you're offering, they also have high 'buyer intent'.

What does this mean for you?

As long as your site is optimised for conversions, then these increases in both referral traffic and organic traffic, will result in more customers and more sales.

Link Acquisition Rates

This really depends on the particular niche you're in, how much quality content you have (or are willing to create) and the type of response received from your outreach targets.

A very general rule of thumb for our mid-tier clients, we'll build 10-20 links per month on average. This can vary greatly, but is based on a 10% conversion rate (i.e. 10 links from 200 targets). Some clients regularly exceed 40, and for some very difficult niches we acquire 5 to 7.

The more willing you are to quickly create linkable content we can use, the higher this number will be. For example, 10-14 pieces of quality content per month could be used as follows; 5 articles on your own site, targeting suitable sites we could approach, and; 10 pieces for content placements, i.e. created to suit the target's audience, on other websites.

8. Link Campaign Reporting

Open communication and transparency is important, and will be provided throughout your link building campaign.

With 24/7 real-time detailed reports, you'll be kept updated at every stage of your campaign.

As well as regular reports of your campaign's progress, you'll also have direct access to us by phone and email for ongoing consultation and communication.

Reporting for your project will be performed in three ways:

Project Tracker - Live Reporting (24/7)

Your campaign's progress is documented in real time using the Project Tracking Google Spreadsheet. This means you can see exactly what's happening on a day to day basis. The tracker contains various tabs, including: the project plan, targets, status of outreach, opportunities, content used for outreach, live links, and lots of other useful information.

You can access this sheet at any time (24/7). At the start of your campaign, your personal project tracker link will be sent in your welcome email.

You can see an example of your Project Tracker here.

Monthly Report

This is a brief, informal summary document, usually sent to you at the end of each month. It will give you an overview of your campaign, increases in organic and referral traffic, suggestions for improvement, as well as any other relevant information.

The key information reported in the document will be:

1. Number of inbound links
2. Rise in organic impressions
3. Rise in organic traffic
4. Rise in referral traffic from links gained

You can see an example of your Monthly Report here.

As your project achieves results, and we become more familiar with your niche, we'll adjust the campaign to make continuous improvements.

Monthly Call

We'll have a monthly phone call.

It can be a technical discussion on your campaign, what worked well and what could be improved. Or simply an informal chat.

Why Traffic Matters for an Online Business

Your Traffic is Money

Getting more visitors (traffic) that converts into sales, is absolutely critical to your survival and growth.

Doesn't matter if you're pushing mobile phones, pitching software as a service, or trying to flip some second hand furniture:

Without the right traffic, there's no sales.

Sure, having awesome content is important. That's why we have a team of content creators on call. And, conversions matter so your backend better be functional.

But, in the wild and woolly world of the web, backlinks are currency.

However you cut it, something great happens when the right content meets the right audience at the right time.

What's that mean for you?

The best website in the world is worthless without the right links to ...

• drive highly targeted, converting traffic, from wherever your ideal customers hang out, and;
• ultimately convert into sales, customers and revenue.

How to Get High Quality Links...

The Easy Way