Investing in backlinks involves paying for a link back to your website from another site. The primary aim is typically to enhance your site’s ranking on search engines, amplify referral traffic, spark meaningful conversations, and fortify your website’s authority.
Paid links manifest in various forms, such as niche edits, paid guest posts facilitated through blogger outreach, paid link insertions, private blog networks, and services distributing press releases. This article is designed to walk you through acquiring high-quality backlinks, address prevalent safety concerns associated with purchasing links, and offer valuable tips for making sound decisions when buying backlinks.
Is It Safe to Buy Backlinks?
Even though buying backlinks is considered a black hat activity, it is an entirely safe and effective SEO practice. However, purchasing the backlinks from an SEO agency that follows industry best practices is necessary.
In addition, it can be unsafe to purchase low-quality links from PBN link sellers with footprint issues who need help understanding how to build links for SEO and from link agents selling link spam to client sites from their networks.
Paid Link Building vs. Natural Link Building
– Natural Link Building
These are backlinks created naturally without the site owner having to buy and generate them either through guest posting or other link-building practices. In simple terms, natural links occur when other web admins, bloggers, or site owners link to your content because they think it is helpful for their audiences and adds value to their sites.
This is the type of link-building that Google wants all site owners to engage in. When you provide high-quality content, you will get your name out there, and sites will link naturally to your business. With natural links, you can be assured that your content is good and that your rankings and traffic will not be affected by a Google algorithmic change.
The main problem with this type of linking is that it rarely happens if you are not already well-established. Therefore, when first growing your business, you may need to invest in paid link-building to maximize your visibility.
– Paid Link Building
On the other hand, paid linking occurs when a site pays another site to place your link in its content. While outsourcing link building is a core component of SEO, search engines prohibit paying for links, which can result in penalties. However, if it’s done strategically, it can be effective.
The thing is, Google can’t tell the difference between a paid and a natural link as long as you produce high-quality content. So, if you’re starting a business, you may find this practice helpful and necessary to get into the visible radar. In addition, it can kick-start your SEO strategy, even if it is just a few links.
How to Buy Quality Backlinks
1. Identify How Many Backlinks You Need
The first important thing you need to do while buying backlinks is to identify the number of backlinks you need to rank before targeting a keyword. To do this, you must determine which pages to build backlinks to and calculate the gap between you and your competitors.
You need to know more than just the number of link root domains you need; you will need to see the number of authority sites you need. To do this, you need to perform a link gap analysis. This identifies sites and pages linking to your competitor’s sites.
To do this, you must examine at least five of your competitor’s link profiles and enter the number of links at each Domain Rating (DR) level. This will help you pinpoint the strength of backlinks you need from guest posts, niche edits, etc.
To compare your domain’s link profile against your competitors, you could use SEO comparison tools to make the process easier. If there is a gap, you need more site backlinks.
3. Map Out Your Anchor Text
Remember anchor text optimization. If you get it wrong, you will not rank, or Google could penalize you. So, it is best to avoid repeating the exact anchor text. The best approach to do this is via anchor text cycling.
This means using your best anchor text on your best link opportunities, then cycling through variations and seeing how the page performs.
4. Establish Your Drip Dates
Some people prefer to buy quality links in batches, which is usually a huge mistake. It’s better to purchase backlinks frequently than bulk to make them more natural. That’s why you must assign a date for when the placement should be bought. It’s best if you kept it more random. The beauty of organized or scheduled paid links is that you can repeat the process based on the performance.
5. Buy Quality Backlinks
With a content plan in place, you can now purchase quality backlinks and rank on page 1. Then, follow your link gap analysis, stick to the plan, and watch the performance. Also, you must pay attention to your existing backlinks.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy Quality Backlinks?
Usually, the cost of buying backlinks will vary from one site to the other. On average, robust and quality backlinks cost generally $900-$1500 per link. Nevertheless, the cost depends on the strategies and tactics you are using. It’s important to note that you can get other backlinks from high-authority domains that cost large sums of money; however, they are usually challenging.
That said, you need to be very careful about who is selling the links since shady agents will give you backlinks they have purchased from PBNs, brokers, webmasters, and forums. Such links will mostly put your site at risk. That’s why you must consider buying backlinks built through manual outreach.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Buying Quality Backlinks
1. Type of Website
The price can vary depending on the status or type of website you want agencies to reach out to. Most site owners wish to link from sites with high organic traffic. Nevertheless, outreach to such sites takes a lot of effort, and the link price will be higher. Most of the time, such links are earned, and your money is spent on the grind put in by the outreach team to build a connection with the site owner.
On the other hand, if you want short-listed links from sites based on SEO metrics, the pricing varies based on the authority metric you pick.
2. Content
The type of content on your site is most likely to affect the cost of backlinks. High-traffic driving websites are picky when it comes to the quality of content. Mostly, they look for content created by experts. Therefore, the cost will be lower if you have high-quality content.
3. Brand Strength
Your brand strength matters regarding link building or link buying. This is because other brands will notice you quickly, and you will likely get a response when you reach out to them. Your emails will be answered faster, resulting in quick offers from the valuable partners on your list.
4. Creative Control
Your brand’s level of creative control affects the link-buying process. This means that your brand’s integrity must be on a desirable level. As the list of standards for acceptable websites increases, which happens when brands know they are at the top of their game, you must ensure that your brand’s integrity is always protected.
5. Industry or Niche
Niche is another factor affecting the cost of buying backlinks. While some industries will draw a lot of site traffic from websites wishing to purchase quality backlinks, operating with some brands is tricky and expensive because they already have many offers. An excellent example of this is the finance industry.
Tips for Buying Quality Backlinks:
Check the Link Quality: Good SEO agents provide multiple options, meaning you can decide the link quality from different packages. We recommended opting for links from high-authority sites for quicker results.
Avoid Site-wide Links: You should avoid placing backlinks in areas less likely to be noticed, such as the footer, sidebar, and navigation. Good SEO agents will ensure that your link secures a contextual place in the main content of high DA sites.
Never Choose Red-Flag Sites to Build Links: Avoid using sites that have previously been penalized, feature low-quality content, or rely heavily on ads. This is because Google is likely to watch these websites with suspension, which means earning links from such sites may lead to looking at your site the same way. Instead, opt for niche-specific and high-authority sites to help build your authority.
Frequently Asked Questions on Buying Quality Backlinks
1. Are paid backlinks worth it?
Paying for backlinks can be worthwhile, provided you don’t get caught. In addition, backlinks help establish a website’s reputation and relevance in Google’s eyes.
Building linkable content is the most effective way to get free backlinks without having to pay or struggle to look for other sites to link your content. Other sites will link to them if you find prevalent informational subjects and create high-quality content. Some links will occur naturally, and others may be achieved through outreach.
We live in the digital age, where brands and companies employ various methods to stay connected with their clients and thrive in business. One highly effective approach is tapping into top-notch blogger outreach services.
These services open doors for collaboration with influential figures, boost brand visibility, and secure mentions from high-authority sources. If you haven’t incorporated blogger outreach into your content strategy, now’s the perfect moment to do so.
This post delves into the finest blogger outreach services to help your business flourish. But before we dive in, let’s take a moment to grasp the essence of blogger outreach.
What is Blogger Outreach?
Blogger outreach is a strategy to foster relationships with bloggers, aiming to fulfill content marketing objectives or meet SEO (KPIs). Essentially, it entails brands or companies reaching out to well-known bloggers, influencers, or publishers to amplify the promotion of their products or services.
The core goal of blogger outreach is to sway individuals with substantial, targeted audiences into discussing your business and outsourcing links to your website. This approach ultimately drives more traffic and enhances sales.
Why are Blogger Outreach Services Necessary?
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1. Outreach Services Can Elevate Your Visibility
Every brand must have an online presence to thrive in this fast-paced and technologically driven world. However, creating a website is not enough; you need to promote it. The more visible your brand is online, the more people within your niche will visit your website.
Therefore, you can reach a large audience quickly by featuring your content on trendy blogs or websites. This way, you can improve your brand’s visibility, leading to an increased conversion rate.
Plus, niche edits increase visibility, boost your site’s search engine ranking, and draw more organic traffic, strengthening your SEO campaign.
2. Outreach Services Connects You With Your Target Audience
Another important of blogger outreach is that it can connect you to your targeted audiences. You will promote your products or services on sites with well-established online presence and publishing-related niche products. This will allow you to connect with a specific audience, thus helping you to get relevant and targeted traffic to your site, leading to a better return on your investment.
3. Blogger Outreach Services Provides an Incredible Way to Earn Backlinks
Many corporations try to gather as many credible backlinks as possible because they lead more prospective clients to their websites. Plus, the more backlinks you buy and put on your site from trusted and high-authority sites, the better your site’s position dominates the SERPs. So, by engaging influential bloggers, you’ll increase your backlinks and reap the rewards it yields. Discover how many backlinks you need on page 1 and increase your online visibility.
4. Blogger Outreach Services help Increase Trust and Credibility
Earning trust from customers is challenging, particularly for online businesses. Nevertheless, when a high authority or reliable blog promotes your products or services on their site, your potential customers are more likely to trust the brand. Therefore, by hiring an influencer in your niche market, you can establish trust and credibility, which helps build loyal relationships for your brand, resulting in more sales and engagement.
5. Blogger Outreach Services Are Cost-Effective
Marketing is a fundamental part of any business, but you need to be heedful and not invest too many resources into it; you won’t see the returns. Luckily, blogger outreach is a cost-effective promotional strategy that can help you boost your marketing and SEO strategy. You’ll reach your intended audience through the influencer’s work without spending too much.
Best Blogger Outreach Services You Can Consider in 2024
One of the best blogger outreach services that will make your outreach campaigns easy is the OutreachPete. These providers deliver a reliable, stress-free solution to build links at a competitive price. In addition, every link published from this site is within a niche-relevant post on a relevant site, ensuring that you get the absolute best placement for your money.
Unlike other blogger outreach services, OutreachPete ensures that every site they work on generates organic traffic. It defeats DA, DR, TF, or any other metric as it demonstrates that Google values the site. In addition to adding DA, DR, and organic traffic, they look further into traffic patterns to ensure no big drops.
You will be assigned a dedicated account manager if you take up a monthly subscription. The manager will work with you monthly to understand your needs and ensure they are always met.
The pricing plan starts at $140 per month, but depending on your desired services, you can choose others priced at $200 and $270.
Another excellent outreach provider that will bolster your rankings, drive traffic, and improve your revenue is the Rhino Rank. They will help you find relevant content for your project or site at a relatively affordable price. Amazingly, they specialize in SEO results and ensure you have significant experience working with them.
Rhino Rank provides guest posts and curated links to help increase your site’s rankings on search engine result pages. Most significantly, it offers more curated link services, which is the unique offering they are known for. Additionally, they will provide complete control of their link-building service. You can pick the URLs you want to boost, insert your niche, and add anchor texts.
If you select Rhino Rank services, you will receive the services for as low as $95 as your initial investment. With this investment, you can enjoy the unique and high-quality services that this company has to offer.
OutreachMama offers two link-building services: a pure outreach package and a guest posting one. The most popular option is pure outreach, which works more like a PR service than an SEO agency.
This link-building service involves strategy design, pitching, prospecting, outreach, high-quality content creation, reply handling, attaining links, and reporting. It is meant to help you grow your link profile and keep your site in line with Google’s evolving algorithm.
The Guest Posting Service gives you access to existing blogger connections from OutreachMama. Establishing these blogger connections is rigid and seeks to ensure they meet certain thresholds. Some necessary metrics include DR, DA, and organic traffic.
Ninja Outreach is a web-based influencer outreach site that helps create thriving outreach campaigns. With a database of millions of users, you are guaranteed to find the best influences from different niches worldwide.
This outreach service provider filters through millions of influencers on different social media platforms, particularly on Instagram and YouTube, to find the ones that will capture your audience’s attention.
In addition, they will help manage your outreach or marketing campaigns through a built-in CRM. You can add team members, organize leads, filter results, and track your history. You can hire them to provide influencer marketing services if you have issues increasing your website’s search engine visibility.
LinkPitch.io is a service provider that specializes in outreach-oriented link-building campaigns. Amazingly, they customize their services depending on each client’s needs. They mainly focus on building links that will, in the long run, impact your business or brand.
They pride their services on their integrity and standard of quality. The price plan depends on the domain authority of the site linked to you, but they range from $100 to $350 per link.
Forward Linking provides a customized link-building service that enables you to be featured on relevant and authoritative websites. This way, you can increase Google rankings, improve brand exposure, and boost levels of targeted organic traffic. In addition, they ensure that your site or brand is up-to-date with current trends in the digital marketing space and search engines.
Forward Linking pledges absolute links and traffic. The best part is that all their outreach strategy can be described as transparent, personalized, relevant, ROI-focused, and long-term.
What to Consider Before Launching a Blogger Outreach Campaign
Before contacting influencers or bloggers, there are some primary considerations you must think about. Below are some of the significant factors you need to follow:
1. Set a Clear Goal
Before launching your blogger outreach campaign, you must identify what you want to achieve from the campaign. Whatever goals you set will largely depend on the resources you have.
We recommend choosing a goal that’s measurable and trackable. For instance, you can publish at least three posts every month in the beginning or increase your site’s traffic by ten percent in the next couple of months.
Under this section, you must decide if you will do all the outreach yourself or contact an agency to help offer courses for beginners. That said, it’s necessary to note that doing it yourself can take much longer, especially if you are just starting.
2. Have Detailed Success Criteria
This step is similar to setting goals, but it’s more specific. For instance, if you set a goal to increase your audience in the next couple of months, you need to state what you need to do to achieve this goal. For instance, to improve your audience successfully, you need to boost engagement, create relevant and valuable content, and share on social media.
3. Find the Right Bloggers
Identifying the influences or bloggers you will use is also essential. Remember, not every influencer or blogger you will contact will say yes; therefore, you need a long list of prospects you want to work with.
With thousands of blogs in different niches, finding one that can help make a difference in your business is challenging. When researching or selecting bloggers, we recommend picking them based on the following criteria:
Find one from your niche
Check how long they’ve been in the blogging business
Their writing tone
Their follower count
Level of engagement they get from their audience.
You can successfully find bloggers using Google, social media, SEO tools, or Content Explorer. The main goal is to find quality bloggers relevant to your niche.
4. Connect With the Blogger on the Social Web
Before contacting the influence or blogger for a collaboration, you should consider following them or connecting with them on social media. This way, you can evaluate how well they perform.
As you research bloggers, take notes on their content and personality. You can use this information to create prospect descriptions. Prospect descriptions make personalized pitches feel more organic.
5. Email the Prospect
When you are sure you are okay working with a specific blogger, it’s time to email them. Most influencers or bloggers will have their email addresses on social media platforms. If not, you can use paid email lookup services to help you contact them.
Now that you have their email addresses, you can contact them to begin the process. Remember to write personalized emails where possible and put extra effort into those VIP bloggers.
Blog Outreach Best Practices to Consider
Introducing yourself and your brand is always a good idea when contacting potential bloggers. Then, you can explain why they would be interested in featuring your product or service on their site.
Always offer high-quality content. Wherever posts you post on your site, be it a guest post, sponsored post, or simply helpful information, it needs to be relevant and well-written.
Be patient. Most bloggers and influencers are busy, so they might take time to respond to your request. So don’t be disheartened if you don’t hear back right away.
Follow up. After you have sent the initial email, follow up with emails or reach out to the blogger/influencer on social media.
When communicating with the prospect, you should always be professional. Keep in mind you are representing your brand.
Conclusion
With the right blogger outreach service, you can increase backlinks, organic traffic, and sales. However, choosing the right provider isn’t as easy as it seems. It all comes down to your budget, expertise, and the current state of your site.
Hopefully, this blog post will help you reach your final decision. In addition, the above services can help you launch your outreach campaigns and achieve greater success. Best yet, they can help you build relationships with the right influencers in your niche.
In the constantly evolving field of search engine optimization (SEO), one critical challenge that website owners and digital marketers face is “keyword cannibalization.” While SEO aims to improve website’s visibility and organic traffic, keyword cannibalization can thwart those efforts. This phenomenon occurs when multiple pages on a website compete for the same or similar keywords, leading to confusion for search engines and users alike.
In this digital era, where online visibility is fundamental for the success of online enterprises, understanding the concept of keyword cannibalization is essential. This phenomenon has far-reaching consequences, negatively impacting a website’s search engine rankings, user experience, and overall online visibility.
This comprehensive post will delve into the intricacies of keyword cannibalization. We will explore its definition, the reasons behind its occurrence, and the detrimental effects it can have on a website’s performance. Furthermore, we will provide practical insights into effectively identifying and resolving instances of keyword cannibalization, ensuring that your SEO strategies align with best practices and drive the desired results.
So, let’s embark on this journey to unravel the mysteries of keyword cannibalization and equip ourselves with the knowledge to overcome this SEO challenge.
What Is Keyword Cannibalization in SEO?
Keyword cannibalization refers to a search engine optimization (SEO) situation where multiple website pages target the same or similar keywords. This competition between pages can lead to confusion for search engines, who need help determining which page is the most relevant for a keyword search.
As a result, the website’s overall search rankings and organic traffic need to improve. Keyword cannibalization is a detrimental phenomenon that can be addressed by optimizing keyword usage, content organization, and website structure to ensure clarity and effectiveness in SEO strategies.
Is Keyword Cannibalization Bad?
Yes, keyword cannibalization is considered harmful for several reasons. It can negatively impact your website’s SEO performance, user experience, and overall online visibility. This section will explore why keyword cannibalization is terrible and its adverse effects on your website.
1. Diluted Ranking Signals
When different pages on your site target the same or similar keywords, they compete with each other for search engine rankings. It can dilute ranking signals, as search engines are unsure which page to prioritize for a particular keyword. As a result, only some of the pages may achieve a high ranking, reducing overall organic traffic and visibility.
2. Confusing User Experience
Keyword cannibalization can confuse visitors and diminish their user experience. If users land on different pages within your website, targeting similar topics, they may encounter repetitive or conflicting information. It leads to frustration and dissatisfaction, ultimately driving users away from your site.
3. Lower Click-Through Rates (CTR)
With multiple pages cannibalizing each other in search results, users may encounter the same website multiple times. They are less likely to click on additional results from the same site when presented with identical or similar content. Your click-through rates may need to improve, impacting the overall clickability of your website in search results.
4. Loss of Link Equity
In cases of keyword cannibalization, external websites might link to different pages on your website targeting the same keyword. It leads to the dispersal of valuable link equity across multiple pages instead of consolidating it on a single authoritative page. As a result, no single page gains enough link equity to stand out and rank higher.
5. Inefficient Use of Resources
Keyword cannibalization can also lead to inefficient use of resources. Instead of creating unique and valuable content for each page, you may end up duplicating efforts by producing similar content for multiple pages. This wastes time and resources that you can utilize to create diverse, high-quality content.
6. Missed Conversion Opportunities
Users who encounter different pages from the same website in search results may navigate to less optimized pages for conversions. It results in missed conversion opportunities as the user may not find the most relevant and persuasive page to complete their desired action.
7. Impact on Ranking Authority
Keyword cannibalization can reduce your website’s overall credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines. As search engines struggle to determine the most relevant page for a particular keyword, they may perceive your site as less authoritative or valuable, affecting its rankings across the board.
8. Hindered Content Discoverability
When multiple pages target the same keyword, some of your valuable content will be in search results. Search engines must distinguish which page is the most relevant to display your pages prominently, impacting your content’s discoverability.
How to Identify or Recognize Keyword Cannibalization
Identifying keyword cannibalization in is crucial to resolving the issue and optimizing your website’s SEO performance. Here are detailed steps to help you recognize instances of keyword cannibalization:
1. Conduct Thorough Keyword Research
Begin by conducting comprehensive keyword research to understand the target keywords on your website. Identify the primary keywords for each page and list the targeted keywords across your site.
2. Review Search Engine Results
Perform searches using the targeted keywords and assess the search engine results page (SERP). Look for multiple pages from your website appearing in the search results for the same or similar keywords. If you find that different pages compete for the same search query, it indicates keyword cannibalization.
3. Analyze Page Titles and Meta Tags
Review the page titles and meta tags of your website’s pages. Check if you have multiple pages with identical or similar title tags or meta descriptions targeting the same keyword. Such overlap suggests keyword cannibalization, as search engines may need help identifying the most relevant page.
4. Assess Content Overlap
Carefully examine the content of your pages targeting similar keywords. Look for instances where the content overlaps or is nearly identical. It occurs when multiple pages discuss the same or similar topics, resulting in keyword cannibalization.
5. Monitor Keyword Rankings
Track the rankings of your pages for the targeted keywords. If you notice that multiple pages are ranking for the same keyword, it suggests cannibalization. Remember that cannibalization might lead to fluctuating rankings and lower overall visibility.
6. Review the Internal Linking Structure
Evaluate your website’s internal linking structure and anchor text usage. Check if you have multiple pages internally linking to each other using the same or similar anchor text targeting a specific keyword. This internal linking pattern can contribute to keyword cannibalization.
7. Examine Google Search Console Data
Utilize Google Search Console to gain insights into the performance of your website. Analyze the query report to identify keywords that trigger multiple pages from your website in the search results. This data can help identify keyword cannibalization issues.
8. Consider User Intent
Put yourself in the shoes of your target audience and consider their search intent. Evaluate if multiple pages on your website address the same search intent and provide similar information. If you find pages overlapping in content and purpose, it indicates keyword cannibalization.
9. Seek Professional SEO Audits
If you are uncertain about identifying keyword cannibalization, consider seeking assistance from professional SEO auditors or agencies. They have the expertise and SEO audit tools to thoroughly analyze your website, identify cannibalization issues, and provide actionable recommendations.
By following these detailed steps, you can effectively identify instances of keyword cannibalization on your website. Once you have determined the issue, you can implement strategies to resolve it and optimize your SEO efforts.
How Do You Resolve Keyword Cannibalization in Your Content?
Resolving keyword cannibalization is crucial to improving your website’s SEO performance. Here are detailed steps to help you address and fix keyword cannibalization effectively:
1. Identify Keyword Cannibalization Patterns
Analyze your website’s content and keyword targeting to identify the specific pages and keywords affected by cannibalization. Look for overlapping topics, similar keyword usage, and competing pages.
2. Determine the Primary Page
Evaluate each page’s quality, relevance, and authority by targeting the same keyword. Determine the most comprehensive and valuable page regarding content and user experience. It will be the primary page you will focus on preserving and optimizing.
3. Consolidate and Merge Content
Merge the content from the cannibalized pages into the primary page. Carefully review the content, ensuring you retain the most relevant and valuable information while eliminating duplicate overlapping or outdated content. Rewrite and reorganize the content to create a comprehensive and authoritative resource.
4. Optimize the Primary Page
Optimize the primary page to align with the target keyword. Update the title tag, meta description, headers, and other on-page elements to reflect the keyword and improve search engine visibility accurately. Incorporate relevant internal and external links to enhance the page’s authority and user experience.
5. Implement 301 Redirects
Redirect the URLs of the cannibalized pages to the first page using 301 redirects. It informs search engines that the content has permanently moved to the primary page, consolidating ranking signals and preserving link equity. It also ensures a seamless user experience by automatically redirecting visitors to the most relevant page.
6. Update Internal Linking Structure
Review your internal linking structure and update the anchor text to prioritize the primary page for the target keyword. Adjust the anchor text of internal links pointing to the cannibalized pages to direct them to your primary page. It reinforces the importance and relevance of the primary page.
7. Update External Backlinks
Identify external websites linking to the cannibalized pages and reach out to them. Request that they update the anchor text or link to the primary page to consolidate external ranking signals. It helps consolidate authority and relevance for the primary page, improving its search visibility.
8. Monitor Performance and Adjust
Monitor the performance of the primary page, including keyword rankings, organic traffic, user engagement, and conversions. Analyze data from analytics keyword research tools and search console to identify any fluctuations or areas for improvement. Make adjustments to optimize the page further if necessary.
9. Review and Refine Keyword Strategy
Review your overall keyword strategy to prevent future instances of cannibalization. Conduct comprehensive keyword research, ensure each page targets unique keywords or variations, and align them with user intent. Create a well-structured content plan that avoids overlapping topics and keywords.
10. Continuously Monitor and Maintain
Keyword cannibalization can reoccur if not monitored regularly. Monitor your website’s performance, conduct periodic audits, and stay current with SEO best practices. Make adjustments and improvements as needed to maintain a cannibalization-free website.
Keyword Cannibalization Solutions We Rarely Recommend
While there are practical solutions to address keyword cannibalization, there are also specific approaches that we rarely or never recommend due to their potential drawbacks. Here are a few solutions that you should use with caution:
1. Creating Doorway Pages
Doorway pages are low-quality, thin content pages created solely to target specific keywords. While they may seem like a solution to keyword cannibalization, search engines have become increasingly sophisticated in identifying and penalizing such practices. Doorway pages can harm your website’s overall reputation and lead to potential penalties from search engines.
2. Keyword Stuffing
Keyword stuffing involves excessively repeating keywords within a page’s content or meta tags to manipulate search engine rankings. This approach is against search engine guidelines and can result in penalties or negatively impact user experience. Instead of keyword stuffing, focus on creating high-quality, natural content that provides value to users.
3. Keyword Canonicalization of All Pages
Canonicalization is a process that involves specifying a preferred version of a webpage when duplicate content exists. While canonicalization is a valid technique for handling duplicate content, applying it to all pages indiscriminately to address keyword cannibalization may have unintended consequences. It could lead to devaluing unique pages or prevent them from ranking effectively.
4. Ignoring Internal Linking
Internal linking guides search engines and users through your website’s content. Ignoring internal linking to avoid keyword cannibalization can result in a disjointed user experience and hinder search engine crawlers from understanding the relationships between your pages. Instead, optimize internal linking to direct users and search engines to the most relevant and authoritative page.
5. Deleting Underperforming Pages
While deleting underperforming pages to address keyword cannibalization may be tempting, you should use this approach cautiously. Deleting pages without considering their potential value or alternative solutions may result in losing valuable content, historical data, and potential opportunities. Instead, consider merging or repurposing underperforming pages to strengthen your content strategy.
It’s important to note that each website is unique, and the best solution to address keyword cannibalization may vary. We recommend you consult SEO professionals or seek guidance from reputable sources to determine the most suitable action for your situation. The objective is to create a comprehensive, user-friendly website that provides value, avoids manipulative tactics, and adheres to search engine guidelines.
Final Thoughts On Keyword Cannibalization in SEO
In conclusion, keyword cannibalization poses significant challenges to the effectiveness of SEO strategies and overall website performance. It dilutes ranking signals, confuses users, lowers click-through rates, and hinders the efficient utilization of resources. However, by recognizing and resolving instances of keyword cannibalization, website owners and digital marketers can optimize their content, improve user experiences, and enhance their search engine rankings.
Through proper identification, consolidation of content, optimization of the primary page, and strategic implementation of redirects and internal linking, you can solve keyword cannibalization. By staying proactive, monitoring performance, and refining keyword strategies, websites can avoid future instances of cannibalization and achieve sustained success in the digital landscape.
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, you cannot overstate the importance of link-building within search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. Yet, executing a successful link-building campaign demands time, expertise, and resources that some businesses do not possess. Outsourcing link-building steps are a valuable solution. It taps into the skills and resources of external professionals, allowing companies to enhance their website’s visibility, authority, and organic traffic. In this blog post, we delve into the intricacies of outsourcing link-building and provide practical tips for achieving success in 2024.
What is Outsourced Link Building?
Outsourced link building refers to enlisting external professionals or agencies to manage and acquire backlinks for a website. It entails entrusting experts with specialized knowledge and resources to identify, prospect, and secure high-quality backlinks.
The advantage is clear: businesses can leverage the expertise of professionals well-versed in SEO strategies with established relationships with relevant websites. The ultimate goal is to enhance the website’s search engine rankings, authority, and organic traffic.
How to Successfully Outsource Link Building: Actionable Steps
1. Define Your Objectives and Budget
Before embarking on outsourcing link building, it’s crucial to articulate your objectives. Determine your aim, whether it’s higher search engine rankings, increased organic traffic, or enhanced brand visibility. Set a budget that aligns with your goals, ensuring a reasonable investment in outsourcing services. Clear objectives and a well-defined budget serve as guiding principles in decision-making.
2. Research Potential Providers
Conduct thorough keyword research to identify potential link-building service providers. Look for companies with a strong reputation, a proven track record, and positive client testimonials. Consider factors such as industry experience, expertise, and the types of clients they have worked with.
Delve into their website, case studies, and client portfolio to gauge their capabilities and the quality of their work. This research phase is critical to identifying reliable outsourcing partners aligned with your requirements and goals.
3. Assess Strategies and Techniques
During the evaluation process, inquire about the link-building strategies and techniques the outsourcing provider employs. Ensure their methods align with ethical practices and comply with search engine guidelines. Steer clear of providers that resort to black-hat tactics, as these can lead to penalties and harm your website’s reputation.
Ask about their approach to prospecting, outreach, content creation, and relationship building. Understanding their strategies helps gauge their effectiveness and alignment with your brand values and goals.
4. Request Sample Work
Request samples or case studies showcasing the outsourcing provider’s previous campaigns. Examine the acquired backlinks, their sources, and their impact on SEO rankings and organic traffic. Look for a diverse range of high-quality backlinks from reputable websites within your industry. These samples offer valuable insights into the provider’s ability to deliver results and generate positive client outcomes.
5. Communication and Transparency
Establish clear and open lines of communication with the outsourcing provider. Effective communication ensures aligned expectations, tracks progress, and prompts addressing concerns or questions. Ensure the provider maintains transparency in reporting and performance metrics.
Communicate your expectations regarding the quality of backlinks, target websites, anchor texts, and any specific requirements you may have. Outline your preferred link-building strategies, the types of websites you want to be associated with, and the relevance of the backlinks to your industry or niche. Clear guidelines ensure the outsourcing provider understands your needs and delivers outcomes aligned with your brand and objectives.
7. Monitor Progress and Results
Monitor the progress and outcomes of the link-building campaign regularly. Request regular reports from the outsourcing provider, including details of acquired backlinks, their sources, and their impact on search engine rankings and traffic.
Utilize analytics SEO audit tools to help you track your website’s performance and assess the effectiveness of link-building efforts. Monitoring progress allows for identifying areas for improvement, making data-driven decisions, and assurance that the campaign stays on track to achieve its objectives.
8. Build Long-term Relationships
Consider cultivating long-term relationships with outsourcing providers, consistently delivering quality results. Link-building is an ongoing process, and maintaining a robust partnership ensures continuity and an improved understanding of your brand and goals over time.
Long-term collaborations foster better communication, enhanced knowledge sharing, and increased efficiency in link-building efforts. Building relations based on trust and mutual understanding can lead to highly effective and sustainable outcomes for your SEO and link-building strategies.
Types of Companies That Commonly Outsource Link Building
1. Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)
SMBs often require more resources and expertise than they have in-house. Outsourcing allows them to access specialized services and leverage the knowledge and experience of professionals without needing a dedicated in-house team.
2. Startups
Startups, especially those in highly competitive industries, may outsource link building to establish their online presence and boost visibility quickly. Outsourcing helps startups leverage the expertise of professionals and acquire valuable backlinks from authoritative sources.
3. E-commerce Businesses
E-commerce businesses rely heavily on organic search traffic to drive sales. Outsourcing link building enables them to enhance their website’s search engine rankings, increase brand visibility, and attract more potential clients to their online stores.
4. Digital Marketing Agencies
Digital marketing agencies often outsource link building to streamline their services and expand their capabilities. Outsourcing permits them to focus on their core competencies while partnering with specialized link-building providers to deliver comprehensive SEO solutions to their clients.
5. Professional Service Providers
Outsourcing link-building can benefit companies offering professional services like law firms, marketing firms, accounting firms, consulting agencies, and medical practices. By acquiring high-quality backlinks, they can establish themselves as industry experts and attract clients who value their expertise.
6. Content Publishers and Media Websites
Content publishers, news websites, and media outlets often outsource link building to increase their website’s authority, reach, and visibility. Acquiring backlinks from reputable sources can help them attract more readers and improve their online presence.
7. Marketers
Marketers who rely on website traffic to generate revenue often outsource link building to enhance their website’s visibility and attract a larger audience. They use the best content planner for more visibility, leading to higher conversions and increased earnings.
8. International Companies
Companies operating globally or targeting international markets may outsource link-building to local experts who deeply understand the target market’s preferences, trends, and authoritative websites.
Outsourcing Link Building Mistakes to Avoid
1. Not Conducting Proper Research
One of the biggest mistakes is not conducting thorough research when selecting an outsourcing provider. Failing to research their reputation, track record, and expertise can lead to partnering with an unreliable or inexperienced provider, resulting in ineffective link-building efforts.
2. Ignoring Relevance and Context
To increase your SEO rankings, backlinks should be relevant to your industry or niche. Outsourcing providers must understand your brand and target audience to acquire relevant backlinks. Failing to prioritize relevance and context can lead to backlinks that do not contribute to your website’s authority or generate targeted traffic.
3. Not Monitoring Progress and Results
Outsourcing link-building doesn’t mean relinquishing all responsibility. Failing to monitor the progress and results of the campaign can result in missed opportunities and an inability to make data-driven decisions. Regularly review reports, track key metrics, and assess the impact of the acquired backlinks.
4. Relying Solely on Quantity
Quantity should always be within the quality of link building. Some outsourcing providers may focus on acquiring a high volume of backlinks without considering their quality or relevance. Prioritize acquiring an average number of high-quality backlinks rather than many low-quality ones.
5. Not Establishing Clear Expectations
Clear expectations and guidelines are essential when outsourcing link building. Failing to communicate your objectives, target websites, preferred anchor texts, and other specific requirements can lead to misalignment and subpar results. Ensure that the outsourcing provider understands and adheres to your expectations.
Pros Of Outsourced Link Building
1. Expertise
Outsourcing link-building allows you to tap into the specialized expertise of professionals well-versed in SEO strategies, link-building techniques, and industry best practices.
2. Time and Resource Efficiency
Outsourcing frees up your website’s internal resources, allowing your team to focus on core business activities while external experts handle link-building tasks. It saves you time and effort in keyword researching, prospecting, and outreach.
3. Access to Networks and Relationships
Reputable outsourcing providers have established networks and relationships with authoritative websites, bloggers, and influencers. This provides valuable opportunities for acquiring high-quality backlinks from trusted sources.
4. Scalability and Flexibility
Outsourcing link building offers scalability, allowing you to adjust the level of outsourcing based on your needs. Whether you require more support during peak periods or want to scale down during slower times, outsourcing allows flexibility in managing your link-building efforts.
5. Cost-effectiveness
Outsourcing link-building can be more cost-effective than building and maintaining an in-house team. You save on recruitment, training, salaries, benefits, and overhead costs associated with having dedicated employees.
6. Continuous Adaptation and Learning
Outsourcing to professionals ensures that your link-building efforts stay current with the evolving SEO practices. They adapt to changes in search engine algorithms, industry trends, and best practices, allowing your website to maintain its competitive edge.
7. Reduced Risk and Increased Security
Outsourcing link building to reputable providers reduces the risk of employing unethical or spam links that could harm your website’s reputation. Trustworthy outsourcing partners adhere to ethical practices and prioritize the long-term success of your SEO efforts.
Cons Of Outsourced Link Building
1. Quality Control
Outsourcing link-building means giving up some control over the quality of acquired backlinks. Not all outsourcing providers may adhere to the same quality standards, potentially resulting in low-quality or spammy backlinks that could harm your website’s reputation and search engine rankings.
2. Lack of Brand Understanding
External link-building providers may not fully grasp your brand, industry, or target audience as intimately as an in-house team would. This can impact the relevance and effectiveness of the acquired backlinks, as they may need to align better with your brand’s positioning and goals.
3. Communication Challenges
When working with an external team, communication can sometimes be challenging. Misunderstandings or delays in communication may lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, or misalignment of expectations. Establishing clear communication channels and maintaining open lines of communication is crucial to mitigate these challenges.
4. Dependency on External Providers
Businesses depend on external providers when outsourcing link-building efforts. If the relationship with the outsourcing partner becomes strained or the provider’s performance declines, it can disrupt the continuity and effectiveness of the link-building campaign.
5. Limited Control over Strategies
Outsourcing link-building may limit your ability to have direct control over the strategies and approaches used. You must trust the expertise of the outsourced team and hope that their methods align with your expectations and ethical standards.
Conclusion on How to Outsource Link Building
Outsourcing SEO link-building emerges as a valuable strategy for businesses aiming to enhance their online presence and improve search engine rankings. By leveraging the expertise and resources of external professionals, companies can benefit from specialized knowledge, time efficiency, and access to networks. However, it is crucial to carefully select reputable outsourcing partners, communicate effectively, monitor progress, and prioritize quality. With the right approach, outsourcing link-building can contribute positively to the success of an SEO campaign.
Link spamming is a bit like that friend who shows up to a party uninvited, hogging the spotlight and annoying everyone with their self-promotion. It’s a shady practice that some website owners resort to to trick search engines into boosting their rankings. Understanding link spam and its various forms is crucial for website owners, online communities, and search engine providers.
This blog aims to provide a comprehensive overview of link spam by defining its concept and discussing its motivations. It will delve into different types of link spam, including comment spam, forum and community spam, blog spam, link farms, and link networks. Furthermore, the article will analyze the consequences of link spam and highlight strategies to prevent and combat this malicious practice.
What is Link Spam?
Think of link spamming as the online equivalent of someone crashing a conversation to talk about themselves incessantly. It’s when websites litter the internet with irrelevant links by posting or embedding links indiscriminately, disregarding the quality of the link, page, or established link-building practices, hoping to game the system and climb the search engine rankings. But here’s the kicker: search engines are onto them and are not afraid to pay penalties to those caught in the act.
The primary objective of link spamming is to increase the number of external backlinks pointing to a particular page, hoping to improve its position in search engine results pages (SERPs). Website owners who spam links often target their conversion or money-making pages, as higher SERP rankings can lead to increased traffic and potential revenue.
However, these spammy links offer no genuine value to the pages they inhabit. Search engine algorithms and readers alike recognize link spam as a deceptive tactic that undermines the quality and credibility of a webpage. Consequently, search engines have established guidelines to discourage link spam and will impose penalties or devalue spammy links to maintain the integrity of search results.
Is Link Spam Important?
Okay, so why would anyone resort to such desperate measures? Well, it’s all about that sweet, sweet traffic. By stuffing their pages with backlinks, website owners hope to increase search engine rankings and attract more visitors. But guess what? Search engines aren’t dumb. They see through these cheap tricks and can penalize websites for trying to game the system.
Often associated with shady or unethical practices, specific niches heavily rely on black-hat methods and link spam for their SEO strategies. This is particularly true for industries where earning legitimate editorial links is challenging or seemingly impossible. However, it is worth noting that even within more reputable niches, there have been instances of success using black-hat SEO techniques, including link spam.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that link spam, like other black-hat SEO tactics, violates Google’s guidelines. Engaging in such practices can result in penalties and long-term damage to a website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs).
For website owners with genuine long-term goals and a commitment to growing their site legitimately, taking shortcuts through link spam or other unethical practices is rarely, if ever, worth it. Building a reputable online presence and adhering to search engine guidelines is essential for sustained success and organic growth.
Types of Link Spam
1. Spam Posting
This involves posting irrelevant or low-quality comments or content on blogs, forums, or social media platforms to include links back to a website. The content adds no value to the discussion and is purely a vehicle for link promotion.
2. Paid Links
Paid links involve purchasing or exchanging links for monetary compensation, goods, or services. Search engines consider these links manipulative because they do not reflect genuine endorsements.
3. Hidden Links
These links are disguised or hidden from users but are in the website’s code. They may be the same color as the background or placed in small font sizes. Hidden links are intended to manipulate search engine rankings without providing any genuine value to users.
4. Link Farms
Link farms are networks of websites that exist solely to generate links between them. These networks aim to artificially inflate the number of backlinks pointing to a particular website, disregarding relevancy and quality. Search engines penalize link farms as they violate guidelines and attempt to manipulate rankings.
5. Comment Spam
Comment spam refers to leaving irrelevant or promotional comments on blog posts, articles, or forums solely to include links to the spammer’s website.
6. Nofollow Links
While not inherently spammy, nofollow links indicate to search engines that a particular link should not be given weight to influence search rankings. However, some spammers may attempt to use nofollow links in an unethical way to manipulate search engines, rendering them spam.
7. Single-Post Blogs
These are blogs or websites created to publish a single post or page solely for link promotion. They typically need more valuable content and are designed to gain backlinks rather than provide useful information.
8. Directory Spam
This involves submitting website links to low-quality or irrelevant web directories, often in bulk. The intent is to quickly increase the number of backlinks to a site without considering the quality or relevance of the directories.
How to Avoid Link Spam?
To avoid link spam and maintain a healthy and reputable online presence, consider implementing the following strategies:
1. Focus on Quality Content
Create valuable and engaging content that naturally attracts genuine backlinks from authoritative websites. Providing high-quality content increases the likelihood of receiving organic and legitimate links.
2. Earn Editorial Links
Instead of resorting to link spam, invest time and effort into building relationships with influencers, bloggers, and industry experts. Seek opportunities for collaborations, guest posting, or being mentioned naturally in relevant and reputable publications. These editorial links carry more weight and are highly valued by search engines.
3. Follow Webmaster Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with search engine guidelines, such as Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. Ensure your website adheres to these guidelines, avoiding manipulative tactics, hidden links, and low-quality or irrelevant links.
4. Perform Regular Link Audits
Regularly audit your backlink profile to identify and address any spammy or low-quality links. Use tools like Google Search Console, Moz, or Ahrefs to analyze your link profile and disavow any toxic or suspicious links that may harm your website’s reputation.
5. Be Selective with Link Exchanges
If engaging in link exchanges, do so cautiously and with reputable, relevant websites. Focus on reciprocal relationships that provide value to both parties rather than indiscriminate link exchanges solely to acquire backlinks.
6. Moderate User-Generated Content
If your website allows user-generated content, implement robust moderation measures to prevent spammy links from being posted. Use spam filters, manual moderation, or user verification processes to ensure the authenticity and relevance of user-contributed links.
7. Stay Informed
Keep up with industry trends, algorithm updates, and changes in search engine guidelines to adapt your content strategy accordingly. By staying informed, you can proactively adjust your approach and avoid inadvertently engaging in link spamming practices.
What are the Consequences of Link Spamming?
Link spamming can have severe consequences for websites and their online presence. When search engines like Google detect toxic or spammy backlinks, they may penalize the site by reducing its position in search engine results pages (SERPs) or even completely removing it from the search index. This leads to a significant loss of visibility and organic traffic.
Furthermore, link spamming manipulates search engines, compromising the integrity of search results. Additionally, it negatively impacts user comfort and experience, as spammy links can lead to irrelevant or low-quality content. Therefore, engaging in link spamming is not only against search engine guidelines but also poses risks to a website’s reputation and long-term success.
How to Recover from a Google Penalty Due to Link Spam
Recovering from a Google penalty due to link spam requires taking specific steps:
Cease link-spamming activities: Stop using manipulative or spammy link-building practices immediately. Cut ties with any low-quality or toxic backlinks.
Conduct an SEO audit: Analyze your website thoroughly to identify the factors that led to the penalty. Remove or disavow spammy links and rectify any other issues that violate Google’s guidelines.
Focus on organic promotion: Shift your focus to legitimate and organic link-building strategies. Create high-quality content, reach out, and build relationships with reputable industry websites to attract valuable backlinks naturally.
Understand the difference: Differentiate between legitimate link building and link spam. Educate yourself and your team on the best practices for building quality backlinks that align with Google’s guidelines.
Final Take
Link spam is a manipulative practice involving the indiscriminate placement of backlinks without regard for context or user experience. It aims to boost search rankings artificially and is frowned upon by search engines.
Engaging in link spam can lead to penalties from search engines, resulting in decreased visibility and credibility. Website owners and SEO practitioners must avoid link spam and instead focus on legitimate and ethical strategies to build high-quality backlinks and provide valuable content to users.
Backlinks remain one of the most critical factors in improving search engine rankings. This guide highlights 40 free backlink sites that can help you earn high-quality backlinks to your website.
We selected platforms based on their reliability, domain authority, and relevance to different industries.
Whether you’re just starting or refining your SEO strategy, these free resources offer practical opportunities to strengthen your backlink profile and boost your site’s authority in search results.
What is the Role of Backlinks in Improving SEO Rankings?
Backlinks are a key factor in how search engines evaluate and rank websites. When reputable sites link to your content, they signal trust and authority. These links validate your site’s relevance and credibility within a topic or industry.
Google and other search engines rely on backlinks as part of their ranking algorithms. The more high-quality backlinks you earn, especially from authoritative sources, the higher your site will appear in search results. It boosts organic traffic, lead generation, and brand awareness.
However, not all backlinks are equal. A few links from trusted, relevant sites are far more effective than dozens from low-quality or unrelated sources. Prioritizing quality over quantity is essential to building a strong SEO foundation.
In short, backlinks directly impact your site’s authority, visibility, and position in search results.
In this section, we will introduce you to the top free backlink sites that can provide valuable backlinks to your website.
These websites have been selected carefully for their domain authority, relevancy, and reputation to ensure quality. As a result, utilizing these sites can improve your website’s SEO rankings and increase your online visibility.
1. Crunchbase
Crunchbase offers a high-authority (DA 81) backlink opportunity. You can list your business for free, include your website link, and optimize your profile with accurate details and relevant keywords to strengthen your backlink profile and boost SEO visibility.
2. HARO
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) connects journalists with expert sources. Create a free account, select relevant industries, and receive three daily emails with media queries.
Respond to the ones that match your expertise. If a journalist uses your response, you’ll earn a backlink from a reputable publication.
3. MyBlogU
MyBlogU is a content collaboration platform where bloggers, writers, and marketers connect to exchange ideas and co-create content.
Create a profile and participate in interviews or brainstorming projects. Share valuable insights within your niche, and contributors may credit you with a backlink, helping you grow authority and improve SEO.
4. Google Sites
Google Sites is a free tool that lets anyone with a Gmail account build a simple website and secure a backlink. These sites get indexed quickly, helping improve your brand’s visibility in search results.
Create a Google Site with relevant content about your niche or business. Then, add a link to your main website and optimize the page with niche-specific keywords to boost SEO.
Google Drive offers more than just cloud storage. You can use it to build quality backlinks. Create public Docs, Sheets, or Forms that include links to your website.
Share these assets publicly and embed valuable content with niche-relevant links. Boosts your backlink profile, drives referral traffic, and strengthens your authority in search results.
6. SourceBottle
SourceBottle connects journalists with expert sources. It sends daily emails with media queries from reporters looking for insights and quotes.
To earn backlinks, sign up, create a complete profile showcasing your expertise, and monitor queries related to your niche. Respond with precise, helpful pitches. If selected, your quote may appear in a published article with a backlink to your website, boosting SEO and referral traffic.
7. BizSugar
BizSugar lets business owners and entrepreneurs share tips, trends, and news. You can gain backlinks by posting niche-relevant content others vote on and engage with.
To build backlinks, create an account, publish valuable content, and include a link to your website. As your posts gain traction, other members may share or link back to your content, increasing referral traffic and SEO rankings.
8. GitHub
GitHub is a platform where developers collaborate and share open-source projects. You can build backlinks by contributing to repositories, creating documentation, or launching your projects.
Add a link to your website in your GitHub profile, project READMEs, or shared resources. Positions you as an active contributor and helps drive traffic while improving your site’s authority.
9. GrowthHackers
GrowthHackers is a community for digital marketers focused on business growth. You can earn backlinks by sharing original content, syndicating blog posts, and engaging in discussions.
Post valuable insights and link to your website where relevant. Consistent participation increases your visibility, drives referral traffic, and improves SEO.
10. DeviantArt
DeviantArt is an online community where artists share artwork, photography, and GIFs. Upload your creations, include a backlink in the description or bio, and attract a new audience while improving your SEO.
Create an account, post consistently, and link to your site. Boosts visibility and earns valuable backlinks from an engaged art community.
11. Business 2 Community
Business 2 Community is a content-sharing platform where professionals publish insights on marketing, SEO, leadership, and tech. As a contributor, you can submit original or repurposed content to build authority and gain backlinks.
Not only boosts your visibility but also drives referral traffic to your content marketing website, helping improve your search rankings.
12. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a popular platform for sharing both music and podcasts. Create a free account, upload your audio content, and add your website link to each track, episode description, or show notes. Helps you build backlinks and drive referral traffic from listeners.
13. Blogger
Blogger is a free, Google-owned platform you can use for link building. Set up a branded blog, publish valuable articles related to your niche, and add relevant links to your website. Optimize blog posts with keywords to drive organic traffic and strengthen your backlink profile.
14. Alltop
Alltop is a content aggregator that collects real-time RSS feeds from top blogs and websites. Submit your blog’s RSS feed to earn a backlink, boost brand visibility, and drive referral traffic. Optimize blog content to ensure relevance and value for the Alltop audience.
Mix is a free platform for curating and sharing content. Create an account, build collections of high-quality articles, videos, or images, and include links to your site.
As users engage with your collections, you earn backlinks, boost brand visibility, and improve your backlink profile.
16 Weebly
Weebly is a free Web 2.0 platform for building backlinks. Use its drag-and-drop builder to create a branded site, add valuable content, and include backlinks to your main website. These links help improve SEO, boost brand visibility, and build credibility.
17. Wix
Wix is a free platform you can use to build Web 2.0 backlinks. Create a site, add optimized content, and include backlinks to your leading site.
Sign up for a free account, customize your pages with valuable content, images, or videos, and boost your SEO with relevant links.
18. Yola
Yola is a user-friendly site builder that lets you create content and add backlinks to your business. Sign up, build a site with optimized content, and include links to your main website to strengthen your backlink profile and improve SEO rankings.
19. Live Journal
LiveJournal is a blogging platform that lets you share industry-related posts and include backlinks to your website. Create an account, publish content with targeted links, and engage readers to boost traffic and strengthen your backlink profile.
Tumblr is a microblogging platform that still offers link equity, making it helpful in building free backlinks. Create an account, share valuable multimedia content, include backlinks, and optimize posts with relevant keywords to boost traffic and brand visibility.
21. WordPress
WordPress is the world’s leading content management system, powering over 40% of all websites. To build backlinks, start with a self-hosted WordPress site.
Then, publish high-quality content in your niche and embed strategic backlinks. Additionally, engage your audience through comments and social sharing to boost SEO and increase traffic.
22. Yelp
Yelp is a high-authority platform ideal for building local backlinks. To get started, claim your business listing with a verifiable local address. Once approved, Yelp provides a free, high-quality backlink.
Next, optimize your profile with accurate details, images, and services. Finally, respond to customer reviews to build trust and improve local SEO visibility.
23. Google My Business Profile
Google My Business helps your business rank higher in local search results and builds website authority by linking your brand to a trusted Google platform.
Since 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine, claiming your profile can significantly boost local visibility and customer trust
TripAdvisor is a high-authority platform ideal for businesses in the travel industry, such as hotels, restaurants, car rentals, or tour services.
You can earn a quality backlink by creating a strong profile, responding to reviews, and highlighting what sets your business apart. Additionally, this builds trust and attracts potential customers searching for reliable travel experiences.
25. Trustpilot
Trustpilot is a customer review website that contains reviews of businesses worldwide. You may sign up, have your company listed, and add a backlink.
Then, encourage your consumers to submit reviews for your site, which can help you increase your brand’s authority in your sector.
26. LinkedIn
LinkedIn helps you connect with industry professionals and share content relevant to your niche. When you post valuable insights, engage in conversations, and link to your website, you build backlinks while increasing your brand’s authority and visibility.
27. Medium
Medium lets you publish for both original and repurposed content with backlinks to your website. Use this platform to boost your reach, build authority, and strengthen your SEO strategy.
28. Quora
Quora is a popular Q&A platform where users seek and share knowledge. While it doesn’t primarily serve for backlink building, providing valuable answers related to your expertise can indirectly drive traffic to your site.
Include links when genuinely relevant. However, be cautious not to overly self-promote, as Quora values informative contributions.
29. Pinterest
Pinterest is a visual discovery platform where you can showcase both contents through engaging pins and boards.
To get started, create eye-catching visuals, optimize descriptions with keywords, and link back to your website. Consistent activity helps you build visibility, drive traffic, and earn valuable backlinks.
30. Facebook
Facebook isn’t a primary backlink source, but you can still earn link equity. Create a business page, add links in the About section, and share content in posts. Join niche-relevant groups, engage with users, and post valuable content to increase visibility and drive traffic.
31. Twitter
Twitter is a popular site for various Internet marketers, and it’s an excellent place to obtain a steady supply of backlinks.
32. YouTube
YouTube is a powerful platform for building both do-follow and nofollow backlinks. Add links in your video descriptions, channel About section, and community posts.
Include more than five links per channel to drive traffic and improve SEO. Create helpful videos that match your niche, and engage with viewers to guide them to your site.
Vimeo is a professional video-sharing platform that creators and businesses use to showcase high-quality videos. Additionally, it lets you add links to your website in your profile and video descriptions.
Vimeo doesn’t primarily focus on link building, but supports your SEO strategy if you regularly publish video content. These links can drive traffic, improve visibility, and boost your brand’s authority.
34. Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a widely used online encyclopedia with strict editorial standards. You can earn backlinks by contributing well-sourced, neutral content to relevant articles.
When you cite your website as a credible reference, editors may retain the link if it adds value. While Wikipedia backlinks are usually nofollow, they can improve your site’s visibility and drive traffic from a trusted platform.
35. Industry Blogs
Industry blogs offer opportunities for guest posting, which is an excellent way to earn backlinks. However, to make the most of this strategy, choose reputable blogs relevant to your niche with good domain authority, ensuring that the backlinks gained can positively impact your SEO efforts.
36. Minds
Minds is a blockchain-based social media platform where users earn tokens by posting and engaging with content.
You can include backlinks in your posts and profile to drive traffic to your site. It offers a niche space to build backlinks while participating in a decentralized, crypto-friendly community.
37. Unsplash
Unsplash is a platform where users share and download free, high-quality images. While not designed for link building, photographers and creators can add backlinks to their website in image attributions.
By uploading original photos, you can earn backlinks and drive referral traffic when others use your images and credit your site.
38. Flickr
Flickr is an image-sharing platform where users can upload and showcase their photos. Moreover, you can include your website link in image descriptions or your profile.
While Flickr isn’t primarily a backlink-building tool, popular images can generate referral traffic and improve brand visibility.
39. SlideShare
SlideShare is an online resource that allows you to share presentations and documents. Moreover, it enables users to include backlinks in their slides, making it a valuable platform for sharing content and earning backlinks.
40. Wattpad
Wattpad is a writing and reading community. While it allows authors to showcase their work, including backlinks within the content might be more complex.
However, you can still use it to engage with readers while indirectly promoting your website.
Final Take on Free Backlink Sites
Free backlink sites can help boost your SEO rankings, but they work best when used strategically. Focus on relevant platforms, share high-quality content, and diversify your link sources.
It builds a strong, natural backlink profile that supports long-term SEO growth. Since the value of these sites can change over time, track their performance and adjust your strategy regularly to maintain lasting results.
Mastering the art of SEO is paramount in online visibility. Implementing the best SEO practices is the key to securing a prime spot in the ever-competitive Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). These practices are not just about climbing the rankings; they encompass a holistic content strategy that drives organic traffic, nurtures credibility, and fuels conversions.
This article presents the top 10 best SEO practices to conquer the SERPs, propelling your websites to the forefront of search engine rankings. From detailed keyword research and on-page optimization to off-page tactics and user experience, this guide equips readers with actionable insights to navigate the dynamic world of SEO and secure a winning edge in the virtual arena.
What’s the Significance of Dominating the SERPS?
Dominating the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) is of immense significance for individuals and businesses alike who are actively pursuing online success. When your website secures top positions in the SERPs, it guarantees maximum visibility, resulting in higher organic traffic and potential customers. Highlighted visibility establishes credibility and fosters trust and authority, resonating with users and search engines.
The advantages of a dominant SERP presence extend even further. This positioning can provide a significant competitive edge, leading to more conversions and increased revenue. Moreover, the benefits stretch to the long-term realm of brand recognition and creating a positive user experience. These outcomes underscore the necessity of remaining ahead in the consistently competitive digital landscape.
10 Best SEO Practices
1. Comprehensive Keyword Research and Analysis
Comprehensive keyword research and analysis undoubtedly form the cornerstone of any successful SEO strategy. This intricate process involves identifying and thoroughly evaluating your target audience’s most relevant and valuable keywords. These keywords are the ones they use when searching for information, products, or services related to your business.
To conduct adequate keyword research, brainstorm potential keywords and phrases directly related to your business or content. Afterward, it’s essential to utilize keyword research tools such as Ahrefs, Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Moz’s Keyword Explorer. These tools expand your initial list and gather crucial data to guide your strategy. In particular, they provide insights into search volumes, keyword difficulty, competition levels, and even related keyword suggestions.
It’s imperative to focus on understanding the intent behind each keyword. Are users seeking information, products, or local services? Tailor your content to match their specific intent accurately. Furthermore, it’s worth considering the competition for each keyword. Prioritize keywords that strike a reasonable balance between search volume and difficulty, ensuring a strategic approach to keyword targeting.
2. Optimize On-Page Elements
Optimizing on-page elements is crucial to achieving maximum impact in search engine rankings and user experience. On-page SEO involves fine-tuning various elements on your web pages to make them more search engine-friendly and user-friendly. Here are essential on-page optimization practices to consider:
Meta Descriptions: Write informative and engaging meta descriptions that accurately summarize the content and include relevant keywords. Limit meta descriptions to around 150-160 characters.
URL Structure: Create clean, descriptive, and user-friendly URLs incorporating target keywords. Avoid using complicated parameters and unnecessary characters.
Heading Tags (H1, H2, H3): Use heading tags to structure your content logically. The H1 tag should contain the main topic or focus keyword, while you can use the H2 and H3 tags for subheadings and supporting points.
Keyword Placement: Integrate your target keywords naturally throughout the content, including the first paragraph and subheadings. However, avoid keyword stuffing, as it may lead to penalties from search engines.
Image Optimization: Optimize images using descriptive filenames and alt tags with relevant keywords. Compress images to improve page load times without compromising quality.
Content Quality: Create valuable, relevant, and well-researched content that addresses the user’s search intent. High-quality content is likely to gain high authority backlinks and engage users.
Internal Linking: Incorporate internal links to connect relevant pages within your website. It helps search engines fully understand your site’s structure and improves user navigation.
User Experience (UX): Concentrate on creating a smooth and engaging user experience. Ensure fast loading times, mobile responsiveness, and easy navigation.
Call-to-Action (CTA): Include compelling CTAs to guide users toward desired actions, such as signing up for a newsletter or purchasing.
By optimizing on-page elements, you enhance your website’s visibility to search engines, increase user engagement, and ultimately improve your chances of ranking higher in the SERPs. Remember to create content with your audience in mind and balance SEO best practices and a user-centric approach.
3. Ensure Mobile Responsiveness and Fast Loading Speed
Mobile responsiveness and fast loading speed are critical for offering a seamless user experience and achieving better search engine rankings. With increasing audiences accessing websites via mobile devices, ensuring your site is mobile-friendly is essential. Responsive design permits your site to adapt to various screen sizes and devices, improving readability and navigation for mobile users.
Additionally, it’s important to note that website speed directly influences user satisfaction and search engine rankings. Faster loading pages, for example, result in lower bounce rates and higher user engagement. To achieve this, optimizing image sizes, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing HTTP requests are crucial steps in improving loading speed.
Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that Google significantly emphasizes mobile responsiveness and loading speed as ranking factors. By optimizing these crucial aspects, you can enhance your site’s visibility in search results. It helps keep users engaged, increases traffic, and improves SEO performance.
4. Focus on Content Quality and Relevance
Content quality and relevance are paramount for a successful SEO strategy and engaging user experience. High-quality content satisfies the user’s search intent and establishes credibility and authority in your niche. When creating content, focus on the following aspects:
Accuracy and Depth: Ensure your content is accurate, well-researched, and provides in-depth information. Avoid misleading or outdated information that can undermine your reputation.
Unique and Original: Offer unique insights, perspectives, or solutions that differentiate your content from competitors. Originality helps build trust with your audience and encourages them to return for more.
Engaging and Readable: Use a conversational tone and avoid overly technical jargon. Break up long paragraphs with subheadings, bullet points, and images to make the content more scannable and user-friendly.
Address User Intent: Understand the intent behind the user’s search query and tailor your content to provide relevant answers or solutions. User-focused content is more likely to rank well and drive organic traffic.
Multimedia Integration: To complement your text, incorporate visual elements like images, infographics, and videos. Visual content enhances user engagement and makes your content more shareable.
Keyword Integration: Include your target keywords naturally in the content. Use synonyms and related terms to avoid keyword stuffing and maintain readability.
Regular Updates: Keep your content up-to-date to ensure its accuracy and relevance over time. Regularly refresh older posts with new information to maintain their SEO value.
Linkable Assets: Create content other websites want to link to as a valuable resource. Linkable assets attract backlinks, which are crucial for SEO and domain authority.
By prioritizing content quality and relevance, you can enhance user satisfaction. So, you positively impact your website’s search rankings and overall online visibility. However, it’s important to remember that search engines strive to deliver users the best content. Therefore, providing valuable, relevant, engaging content aligns seamlessly with their goals. This approach ensures long-term success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Implementing effective link-building strategies is crucial for improving your website’s authority and search engine rankings. First, focus on acquiring high-quality and relevant backlinks from authoritative websites in your industry. Guest posting on reputable blogs, creating shareable content, and participating in industry-specific forums or communities are great ways to earn backlinks.
Moreover, networking with influencers and building relationships with other web admins can also lead to valuable link opportunities. In addition, consider creating linkable assets such as infographics, research studies, or comprehensive guides that other websites want to link to as valuable resources.
It’s important to remember to avoid spammy or manipulative link-building tactics, as search engines penalize such SEO practices. Instead, prioritize a natural and ethical approach to outsource link building. Quality backlinks from reputable sources signal to search engines that your web pages or website offer valuable and relevant content. As a result, this leads to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.
6. Earn High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks remain one of the best SEO practices that will affect your ranking in SEO. Aim to earn high-quality backlinks from reputable websites in your niche. Avoid unethical SEO practices like buying links or participating in link farms, as this can lead to severe penalties from search engines.
Focus on building and growing relationships with other web admins and content creators through guest posting, collaboration, or content marketing. Engaging in meaningful link-building activities will naturally attract authoritative links to your site and boost your SERP rankings.
Leveraging the power of social media is a crucial aspect of any comprehensive SEO strategy. Social media platforms offer a perfect opportunity to reach a broader audience, drive traffic to your website, and improve your search engine rankings. Here’s how you can effectively use social media for SEO:
Content Promotion: Share your high-quality and valuable content on social media channels. Engaging and shareable content can attract more attention, increasing website visits and potential backlinks.
Build Brand Awareness: Social media is a perfect platform to build and strengthen your brand’s online presence. Consistent branding and engaging content can help increase brand recognition and recall, indirectly impacting your SEO efforts.
Encourage Social Sharing: Implement social sharing buttons on your website to make it easy for users to share your content on their social media profiles. More shares can lead to increased visibility and more backlinks.
Engage with Your Audience: Respond to social media comments, messages, and mentions to engage your audience actively. Establishing a community across your business can foster trust and loyalty since it leads to repeat visitors and higher user engagement.
Amplify Link Opportunities: Social media lets you connect with influencers and industry leaders. Building relationships with them can lead to link opportunities and collaborations, boosting your website’s authority and SEO performance.
Social Signals: While social signals (likes, shares, comments) are not direct ranking factors, they can indirectly impact your SEO efforts. Engaging content that generates more social signals is more likely to attract organic traffic and, in turn, improve search engine rankings.
Remember to maintain consistency in your social media activities and align your content with the interests and preferences of your target audience. By effectively leveraging social media, you can complement your SEO strategy and create a robust online presence, driving more traffic and engagement to your website.
8. Focus on Local SEO for Local Businesses
Focusing on Local SEO undoubtedly stands out as one of the best SEO practices crucial for local businesses. This approach holds the power to attract nearby customers effectively. Optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) listing is essential. It involves providing accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information, selecting appropriate categories, and cultivating positive customer reviews.
Additionally, you cannot overstate the significance of local citations in directories and maintain consistent NAP details across the web. Such measures significantly contribute to boosting local search rankings. Incorporating location-based keywords into your content strategy and crafting location-specific content further enhances local SEO efforts.
Another vital aspect is encouraging customer reviews and promptly responding to them. It not only fosters customer engagement but also builds trust and credibility. Furthermore, leveraging local schema markup is pivotal in helping search engines grasp your business’s location and the range of services you offer.
9. Monitor and Analyze Performance
Regularly monitoring your site’s performance using SEO tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console is another one of the best SEO practices that can help you dominate the SERPs. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) like organic traffic, keyword rankings, bounce rates, and conversion rates.
Examine your website’s user behavior, identify pages with high exit rates, and improve their content to retain visitors. Use this data to make data-driven decisions, refine your SEO strategy, and stay ahead of competitors.
10. Stay Updated with SEO Trends and Algorithm Changes
SEO is constantly changing, with search engines continually updating their algorithms. Keep up with the newest SEO trends and algorithm changes through industry blogs, forums, and reputable SEO experts.
Regularly update and adapt your SEO strategies to align with current best practices. Embrace changes and proactively implement new tactics to maintain your dominance in the SERPs and sustain long-term online success.
Final Take on Best SEO Practices
In conclusion, mastering the art of SEO is an ever-evolving process. Businesses and individuals can create a strong internet presence and compete in the digital landscape by implementing effective strategies and staying attuned to the latest trends. Quality content, user-centric experiences, and ethical practices remain the pillars of successful online ventures.
In addition, embracing the power of social media and catering to local audiences can further enhance visibility. With continuous efforts, adaptability, and a commitment to providing value, long-term SEO success is attainable, opening doors to broader opportunities, increased brand recognition, and sustainable growth in the digital age.
If you’re attempting to rank your website without backlinks, your website is presumably brand new. Starting from scratch, it might not be easy to obtain backlinks because you don’t have a lot of content and haven’t built enough authority to attract high-quality backlinks.
Furthermore, although backlinks significantly impact performance for highly competitive search phrases, they are not the most crucial element in ranking. The main ranking factor is the quality of the content.
In this post, we’ll learn how to rank without backlinks using your content. Ultimately, you’ll be able to build traffic without the tedious link-building process.
Can You Rank Without Backlinks?
Is ranking achievable for your site without link building?
The simple answer is yes.
Search engines now consider many factors in addition to backlinks when determining how to rank content.
Hence, even though link building is crucial for SEO and shouldn’t be disregarded, it is possible to rank mainly for low-difficulty keywords without actively building backlinks if you optimize your website’s content and technical structure, write great content, and create internal links.
How Do You Rank Without Backlinks?
1. Create Valuable Content
First things first. The significance of valuable content cannot be understated. When implementing a ranking plan for your site, the first item on your to-do list should be to create excellent content.
Ensuring your content is thorough, SEO-friendly, and delivers valuable information is vital. By doing this, search engines will view your website as an expert resource on the topic and give it a higher ranking.
The first step is to determine your target audience and what information they are interested in. After deciding on the topic, immediately provide your visitors with the solution they want.
Your material’s value is directly proportional to how well you answer a visitor’s question. You cannot simply write a random opinion piece and claim that it is valuable material.
To achieve this, you must provide high-quality content that covers every aspect of the subject you are targeting. This includes investigating and bringing up current trends, news pieces on the sector, and other relevant subjects.
When fixing people’s issues, you cannot be timid. You must fully address the searcher’s question and leave the audience feeling satisfied. That is why keyword research is crucial; it provides the exact terms you may discuss.
Assume you’re seeking to rank for “How to Speed Up Your Website?” You’d need to discuss everything influencing a website’s loading speed to offer value.
The general guideline is that visitors should be able to stay on your website to learn more about the subject.
People should be satisfied and want more on your page. You don’t like your prospects to go to your competition, do you? The nice part is that excellent content ranks higher in SERPs and gets more attention.
You may lengthen a user’s average stay on your website by satisfying their goal. Also, the longer someone remains on your website, the lower your bounce rate. Since bounce rate is an essential Google ranking element, meeting user intent might help you rank higher in the long run.
3. On-Page SEO
In addition to content quality and subject authority, on-page SEO is critical if you want to rank higher in search engine results without using link-building strategies.
This involves optimizing your website’s titles, meta descriptions, URLs, photos, and other features on each page.
Check that everything is SEO-friendly and related to the term you’re aiming for. Use URLs and meta descriptions that contain the term you want to target.
These are the most significant factors that will assist search engines in understanding what your page is about and will help you enhance your SEO rankings:
Page URLs.
Page Titles.
Site Speed.
Images SEO.
Meta Descriptions.
Mobile Responsiveness.
High-Quality Page Content.
High-quality content is essential for SEO.
a) Content Quality
As we have stated, your content should be thorough, well-researched, and search engine-friendly. It should thus be written in a way understandable to readers and search engines.
Also, the content should contain pertinent keywords throughout (not just the headline). In this manner, your website can eventually be regarded as an expert on the subject and will perform higher in the SERPs.
Lastly, make sure your writing is simple to read and comprehend. Short paragraphs, headers, subheadings, and bullet points can all be used effectively and efficiently to deliver your message.
b) Page Titles
One of the critical components is the title tag. It serves as a clickable link in SERPs and informs search engines about your page’s content. It should thus be keyword-rich and SEO-friendly.
Ensure your target keyword appears at the start of the title tag, and keep it to a maximum of 55 characters.
The meta description is another component that informs search engines what your page is about.
The text appears in search results after the clickable link and should be SEO-friendly, keyword-rich, and around 155 characters long.
It is crucial to provide unique names and meta descriptions for each page.
d) Site Speed
Another SEO issue that should be addressed is site speed. Visitors will leave your website if it takes more than three seconds to load, and search engines will likely rank you lower. So, optimize your website for performance by reducing redirects, reducing the size of images, and minifying HTML and CSS.
e) Images
Even though they cannot “see,” search engines can interpret images if they are correctly optimized. It entails including target-specific keywords in the alt tags and SEO-friendly file names. This also entails optimizing additional website content, like infographics and videos.
Ensure your page’s URL contains your goal term and is SEO-friendly by eliminating special characters and extraneous words. Keep it brief (around 100 characters) to make it simpler to read and remember.
g) Mobile Adaptivity
According to research, 53% of users will leave a mobile website if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Because of this, having a mobile-friendly website is crucial nowadays.
Hence, to ensure your website runs on all devices, employ responsive design, optimize your pictures and videos, and minimize redirects.
4. Organic CTR
Image Source: backlinko.com
Another SEO tactic that excludes backlink building is organic click-through rate (CTR) optimization. Increase your organic CTR by increasing the volume of visits from search engine results pages (SERPs) to your website. You accomplish this by writing titles and meta descriptions that are both user- and search engine-friendly. Excellent on-page optimization leads to first-page rankings that boost your overall CTR for a specific page.
Be sure to incorporate keywords into both to raise organic CTR. Keep titles and meta descriptions concise yet descriptive so people readily comprehend what the page is about.
Another innovative approach is to use strong terms to draw people in, such as “wonderful,” “free,” and “save.”
Remember to assess the search intent before generating titles and meta descriptions for your content. This entails knowing what visitors seek when entering particular terms into search engines.
5. Build Internal Links
Image Source: seocalling.com
Another excellent SEO tactic is internal linking.
You should link one page to another to improve how well search engines comprehend your website’s structure and content.
Internal links assist in retaining visitors on your website longer by directing them to pages or subjects that may interest them. Improving user engagement and decreasing bounce rates can also aid in improving rankings.
Observe these best practices when building internal links:
Employ keyword-rich, relevant anchor text.
Connect Back to New Posts in Old Articles.
Implement the dofollow tag.
Restore broken internal links.
a) Employ Keyword-Rich, Relevant Anchor Text
When including internal links, the first thing to remember is to use pertinent, keyword-rich anchor text. This entails using precise words that define the subject matter of the website you are connecting to as the anchor text in your link.
Using such phrases in your anchor text may make it simpler for search engines and website users to grasp what the linked page is about and let search engines know that the page is relevant.
b) Implement the Dofollow Tag
Apply the dofollow tag whenever you add internal links. This HTML property instructs link-following web spiders to visit a link’s destination. With this tag, search engine web crawlers may respect your links, giving your site less link juice (also known as SEO advantages).
c) Link Back to New Posts in Old Articles
An intelligent approach to keeping information current and pertinent is to link to new posts from older ones. By doing this, you’re supplying visitors with more relevant material they might find interesting while offering search engines more current content to index. Even if it takes time, it will eventually benefit the SEO of your website.
Lastly, you should check your website often for any broken internal connections. Broken links can cause dead ends and lower user interest, which can be a big problem for SEO. Be careful to look for and resolve any issues so this isn’t an issue for you.
6. Use Schema Markup to Rank
Another simple method to rank without backlinks is schema markup, sometimes called structured data.
To help search engines better comprehend the material on your sites, you may add schema, a unique code, to your web pages to explain certain pieces of your content.
Search engines like Google may then use this information to present your material in the search results, which only sometimes need links to show up in more helpful ways.
7. Regularly Post Content
Regularly producing new content might help you rank without backlinks.
Instead of concentrating on obtaining one page to rank highly for a particular keyword, it is best to publish several pages. You have a higher chance of ranking well in the SERPs if you offer more material than just a few pages.
You’ll have a higher chance of having your material appear at the top of search engine result pages if you heed the SEO tips I’ve provided.
Final Words on How to Rank Without Backlinks
Obtaining reputable, reliable, and highly ranked backlinks is not the only strategy to improve your website’s ranking. You can employ other SEO strategies to achieve your desired results.
As you have learned, the secret to ranking a website without backlinks is to concentrate on essential SEO strategies that raise the caliber of your content so that it doesn’t require as many off-page optimization signals to convince search engines that your material deserves a high ranking.
If you’re keen on boosting your search engine optimization strategy, you know that keyword research plays a pivotal role. However, delving into keyword research without the appropriate tools can be irritating and unproductive. That’s precisely why SEO experts rely on keyword research tools to assist them in compiling thorough lists of keywords and their respective monthly search volumes.
In this piece, we’ll walk you through 8 of the finest keyword research tools SEO professionals utilize. Whether you’re just starting in SEO or looking for fresh tools to experiment with, we’ll help you select the ideal one tailored to your requirements. By the time you reach the end of this article, you’ll possess the insights and assurance needed to elevate your keyword research efforts to new heights.
The Best Tools for Keyword Research
1. Semrush
When finding the right keywords for your online presence, Semrush stands out as a top choice. It’s widely known and trusted for its thoroughness and versatility inSEO tools, with a dedicated suite just for keyword research.
Semrush’s Keyword Overview lets you quickly glimpse essential metrics like search volume, difficulty, CPC, and variations for your chosen keywords. Then there’s the Keyword Magic Tool, which goes deeper, generating keyword suggestions in various matches (broad, exact, phrase) and related terms while also providing insights on search volume, search intent, and competitiveness.
For those with a paid Semrush subscription, the Keyword Manager tool offers advanced analysis options and the ability to export data for further examination. Plus, with daily monitoring, the Position Tracking feature keeps you updated on your site’s ranking compared to competitors.
To tie it all together, the Organic Traffic Insights feature merges Google Analytics and Search Console data with Semrush’s, helping you pinpoint the keywords bringing organic traffic to your site.
Semrush’s pricing ranges from $99.95 to $449.95 per month.
2. Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
Ahrefs is another all-in-one SEO toolkit with a Keyword Explorer providing in-depth keyword information. It uses data from 10 different search engines and provides more than keyword suggestions; it also includes search volume, ranking difficulty, and keyword movement information.
Ahrefs is particularly useful for identifying your competition and which keywords they’re ranking for that you are not. This information can then generate new content to target and capture that traffic.
Ahrefs’ pricing ranges from $83 to $999 per month.
3. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is a free-to-use tool for anyone with a Google Ads account. It provides direct data from Google and is primarily intended for digital marketers advertising on Google.
Using Google Keyword Planner is straightforward – type in a keyword, and it will give you data on related keywords, approximate monthly searches, and bidding information.
4. Serpstat
Serpstat offers a comprehensive SEO suite, covering everything from link building and managing PPC campaigns to optimizing for local search. It boasts utilizing a vast database to aid in identifying keywords, analyzing their volume, popularity, and competition, and keeping tabs on your competitors.
One standout feature of Serpstat is its ability to present the site within the featured snippet as the primary result, allowing you to strive for that coveted spot. Additionally, it provides tools for tracking trending keywords, including regional search trends, monitoring your rankings, and analyzing content for optimization.
Serpstat’s pricing ranges from $59 to $499 per month.
5. KeywordTool.io
KeywordTool.io is known for providing a sheer volume of keyword suggestions. For example, a search for “pharmacy” returned 669 total keywords.
KeywordTool.io provides all the relevant data an SEO professional could want, including search volume, competition (both average and by specific keyword), and trend information. It also allows users to sift results based on their needs, such as region, language, platform, and type.
KeywordTool.io’s pricing ranges from $69 to $129 per month.
6. Moz Keyword Explorer
Moz is one of the most prominent players in the world of SEO tools and offers both a paid and free version (restricted to 10 queries per month) of its Keyword Explorer.
Moz Keyword Explorer has robust keyword suggestions, comprehensive analysis tools, and predictive metrics. It also gives you detailed information on tools for identifying long-tail keywords, SERPs, and search questions, with tips to help you rank internationally.
Google Trends is an outstanding tool you can use for free! It helps you discover what people are searching for by letting you type keywords or phrases or check out related queries. Then, it gives you all sorts of excellent info, like where people are most interested, how that interest has changed over time, and what other topics or questions are connected. Plus, you can compare two keywords to see which one’s getting more buzz. So rad, right?
8. AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic is a “search listening tool” that taps into autocomplete data from search engines to determine practical search questions and phrases. It presents this information visually, making it easy to identify prepositions and search volume divided by questions, comparisons, and related searches.
AnswerThePublic has a free version valid for small amounts of research and a Pro plan that is better for regular SEO work. The Pro plan offers unlimited daily searches, priority customer support, and customization options.
AnswerThePublic’s pricing ranges from $9 to $199 per month.
Choosing The Right Keyword Research Tool
When picking the right keyword research tool, remember a couple of things. Firstly, your budget plays a significant role. While free tools might seem appealing, they often lack the depth and features of paid options. Thus, finding a tool that balances functionality and affordability is critical.
Another crucial aspect is aligning the tool with your overall SEO content strategy. Consider your primary objectives—are you aiming to boost your authority, attract new customers, or target specific local or international audiences? Since each keyword research platform has strengths and weaknesses, it is essential to select one that aligns well with your goals.
Making an informed decision involves careful assessment of your options. If you’re part of a team, gathering everyone’s input can be invaluable. They might have insights from past experiences with different platforms, which can provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. This collaborative approach can help you choose the best tool for your needs.
Once you find the perfect tool, you can go after and land traffic from more queries and generate more conversions. Here are some more resources to help you in your keyword research journey:
Google Keyword Planner: How To Use The Free Tool For SEO
Keyword Research: An In-Depth Beginner’s Guide
Rank Tracking: How To Do It The Right Way
Choosing the best keyword research tool for your needs can improve your SEO efforts and drive more traffic to your website.
Frequently Asked Questions
a) What are some of the top keyword research tools available?
Many keyword research tools are available in the market, but some top ones include Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz Keyword Explorer, and Keyword Tool. These tools offer features such as keyword suggestions, search volume data, competition analysis, and more.
b) How do you determine which keyword research tool is best for you?
The best keyword research tool depends on users’ specific needs and budget. Before deciding, consider factors such as ease of use, features offered, pricing, and customer support. You can also try demos or free trials to see which tool works best.
c) Can you recommend a free keyword research tool?
Some free keyword research tools include Google Keyword Planner, Keyword Tool, and Ubersuggest. While they may not offer all the features of paid tools, they can still provide valuable insights into keyword research.
d) What are the advantages of using keyword research tools?
Using a keyword research tool can help one identify relevant keywords for their website or business, understand search volume and competition for those keywords, and optimize their content for better search engine rankings. It can also save you time and effort in manually researching keywords.
e) How do you use a keyword research tool to improve your SEO strategy?
To use a keyword research tool effectively:
Identify your target audience and the keywords they may use to search for your products or services.
Use the tool to find related keywords, search volume data, and competition analysis.
Use this information to optimize your website content, including titles, meta descriptions, and headings, for better search engine rankings.
f) Which keyword research tool is most commonly used by SEO professionals?
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, some of the most commonly used keyword research tools by SEO professionals include SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz Keyword Explorer. These tools offer advanced features and in-depth analysis for keyword research and SEO strategy.
With a content strategy for your website, you can direct all your content creation efforts toward one common goal. If you need a content strategy, you can quickly create content haphazardly, with no idea what it’s supposed to achieve for your site. You will know what content your audience enjoys with a comprehensive approach.
In this article, we shall discuss what a content strategy is, why you need one, the information you need to create one, the elements of a good plan, how to build one, and three examples of content strategies we like.
Let’s get started.
What Is a Content Marketing Strategy?
A content marketing strategy is a plan that helps you connect with people and grow a loyal audience by creating, publishing, and distributing different types of content (including blog articles, social media posts, ebooks, and more). To make a good content marketing strategy for your website, you need to pay attention to what has worked in the past and identify what has yet to work so you know what to tweak in the future.
Why Do You Need a Content Strategy for Your Website?
A good content strategy can benefit you and your website in many ways. Here’s why developing an excellent content strategy is a good idea.
1. Boost your SEO
Developing a content marketing strategy allows you to boost your SEO. Building a strategy includes choosing the keywords and topics you want to target in your content when building your niche website. We recommend choosing high-volume, low-competition keywords, creating high-value content, and, as part of your strategy, publishing the content on your blog and distributing it in various other places.
Using your content strategically can help convert your leads into paying customers. If you can create content that appeals to your audience at different stages of a potential conversion process, you’re more likely to connect with them and close the final sale.
You see a potential customer who stumbled upon your website while wanting to learn more about a product or service before purchasing and has more likely been researching for a while. So, they are either almost at the purchase point or in the process of converting.
By addressing them personally, you’ll find it easier to convince them they need the program you are marketing. If they close, you earn your commission.
Think about your website like a sales tool, but don’t write salesy content. Craft your content strategy to guide you toward making the final sale.
3. Authoritativeness
An effective content marketing strategy can also help your audience treat you as the authority in your niche. When you haphazardly create content, your audience can almost tell you are working without a proper plan. However, a well-planned content strategy for your website can reap big rewards for your audience perceiving you as the go-to voice.
If they give you the mark of authority, they will buy more products from your recommendations and even stay longer on your website, learning more about other products. Remember that we are in the age of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness), where authoritativeness is a major Google ranking factor.
You can add authority to your content strategy by making sure that you address these things:
Train your audience to use the products you are marketing. For example, create how-to tutorials and product guides with illustrations, images, and videos.
Take time to find out how they feel about these products and if there are any features they may find challenging to use. Use surveys, comments, or feedback forms to hear from them. The feedback they provide will help you iterate and improve your content further.
What Information Do You Need Before You Develop a Content Strategy?
Before you build a content strategy that works for your website, you need to do some research. While you’re gathering information, you should aim to understand the following aspects of the business you want to build:
a) Get to Know Your Audience
Any content marketing effort aims to connect with your audience. You need to understand the people you’re producing content for; otherwise, you will need to figure out what to give them.
Take time to get to know your audience. Figure out what they like and what they don’t like. Ask them what content they’ve enjoyed seeing from you in the past. With a good survey, you can collect all the information you need to better serve your target audience.
b) Evaluate Your Current Content
Assuming that you created a lot of content before deciding to read about content strategy, you need to go back into the content you made for evaluation. Evaluating your current content is vital to getting on the right track for your future content.
What has worked well in the past, and what hasn’t? Which content generates more engagement and revenue for your website?
This information should help you decide what content to produce more in the future.
c) Study the Competition
Paying attention to the content your competition produces can inspire you as you develop your content strategy.
Study your competition and identify what they’re doing well. Likewise, this exercise can help you spot content gaps in your niche that you can fill by producing meaningful content to address those gaps.
4 Elements of a Good Content Marketing Strategy
To develop a good content strategy for your website, you must ensure it contains the following elements.
1. Brand Positioning
To create a consistent brand image for your target audience, you need to start by understanding your website as a brand. Ideally, you need to evaluate your brand, what it does well, and the environment it exists in.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to develop a clear branding position:
What do we do?
What is our brand personality?
Who is our target audience?
What kind of buyer persona are we targeting for the products we are promoting?
Which pain point(s) do we solve with our content?
What is the competitive landscape like in this niche?
How are our competitors creating their content?
What do we do well?
What can we improve?
The Kontely team encourages readers to treat their website as a company or a business. Grow yourself into a tiny brand in your small niche. A content strategy lays it out for you and directs you.
You can only convince potential customers to buy products or services of the programs you promote if you have identified why those programs are worth the investment. It would be best to clearly outline what makes your recommended products or services better than others in the same niche.
Tell your audience what your products have that other products do not. If you can make a strong case for the company you’re promoting, you can push some sales to them and get your commissions.
To set yourself apart from your competition in the same niche, you must understand what they’re doing well and what you can do better.
Ultimately, you can always learn a thing or two from other content creators – regardless of how big their audience is. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you develop a value proposition for your website.
Who is our audience?
What do they want?
Are we giving them what they want?
Do we have proof that we’re giving them what they want (high engagement rates, more leads, a higher conversion rate, etc.)?
What are our competitors doing differently?
Are there gaps in the niche that we can fill?
3. Business Case
While content marketing is designed to help you connect better with your audience, it should also help you meet your website’s business goals. A business case can help determine whether your content marketing strategy will serve the business and your audience.
Ideally, a business case should be put together at the beginning of any project you embark on for your brand. It covers your proposal’s who, what, why, when, where, and how. By answering these questions, your website’s business case can help you decide whether the website you are running is a worthwhile investment.
What are your business goals—both short-term and long-term? In addition to defining these goals, you must prove that your content will help you achieve them.
4. Strategic Plan
A strategic plan helps you focus on your highlighted goals and how you will achieve each with the content you create for your niche.
Highlight who you are targeting (audience or persona) with your content and why you’re targeting that particular persona. Identify what it takes to appeal to this person with your content.
For example, if your website is about fitness, you will most likely be addressing people that want to stay fit, lose weight, or are just fitness junkies. That’s your audience. Your website will promote fitness products to that audience. It is best to create a strategic content plan that communicates to your audience, helps them learn why fitness is essential, and invokes them to purchase fitness products or services to reach their fitness goals.
Identifying how each piece of content contributes to your business’s goals can help you stay focused and accountable.
Let’s discuss developing a strategic content plan for your brand.
How to Create a Content Marketing Strategy
1) Analyze Your Audience
Your content strategy is designed to help you build positive long-term relationships with your target audience. For this reason, it’s crucial to understand these people before you do anything else. Aside from understanding their needs, building a buyer persona to guide your content efforts would be best.
How to Build a Buyer Persona
Developing a buyer persona will help you understand your audience’s needs and motivations. Even if you’ve done this before, it’s still helpful to do it again. After all, a changing economic environment, such as the one caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, can change consumer attitudes.
A buyer persona is a hypothetical representation of the kind of person you hope will buy the products you’re promoting. To develop a compelling buyer persona, it’s essential to clarify these critical points about your ideal buyer:
Lifestyle: job, hobbies, and family life.
Demographics: age, income, gender identity, and location.
Communication habits: preferred social media platforms.
Pain points: problems they face in their everyday lives.
Goals: what they hope to achieve.
Your solution: how can the products you promote help them solve their pain points?
While it’s crucial to construct a buyer persona, it’s also essential to understand the process your audience goes through from the moment they stumble upon your review or guide to when they make a purchase. This is known as the buyer journey.
How to Use the Buyer Journey
A potential customer for your products will go through a standard set of steps as outlined in the AIDA model:
Awareness: when a potential client first becomes aware of the problem they must solve and has just heard about the products available in this niche.
Interest: The potential client starts to evaluate whether the solution the product or service offers is a good fit and begins comparing their options.
Desire: the potential client starts to evaluate the value your solution will add to them or their business.
Action: the potential client makes a purchase decision and pays for the products.
Beyond simply understanding the steps above, knowing what kind of content you should give your buyers at each step is essential. By giving them the content they need when they need it, you can guide them further along the path to becoming a paying customer and a referral of yours.
2) Set Your Goals
Once you’ve understood the kind of customer you want to reach, you need to set goals for your content marketing. Are you hoping to increase engagement? Do you want to boost traffic to your website or get more contacts for your email marketing process? Or do you want to boost sales?
Setting 3 or 4 SMART goals can help direct your content strategy and keep you focused on the most important goals. You need to set goals to measure the outcomes of your content marketing.
3) Set Your Kpis
While Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can seem very technical and out of reach, setting SMART goals also helps you to set clear KPIs. Your KPIs will generally have a metric attached to them to help you determine whether you hit your goals. For example, you might’ve decided you want to:
Hit a specific sales and revenue target.
Get more signups for your lead magnet.
Boost website traffic by a particular amount.
Increase engagement with your website content.
Generate more engagement on your social media channels.
Earn specific mentions in the media and by other thought leaders.
Attract a particular number of partnerships with influencers and thought leaders.
Improve the SEO ranking for some of your content to improve overall SEO.
Once you’ve set specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely goals, it’s easy to set and use KPIs. Measure your goals against the outcomes and decide how you did. Find out the challenges if you need help meeting your goals. This might be a good indication of which goals need to be adjusted next time.
4) Perform a Content Audit
Before you develop a content strategy for the future, you need to evaluate the performance of your existing content. Identify what content is performing well and what content needs tweaking.
One good way to do this is to study the channels you use and see how people have interacted with your content in the past. Look at the blog, social media channels, forums, and other places you distribute your content. Which content got more engagement? Which content generated meaningful conversations?
You can generate a survey if you’d prefer to collect solid data to inform your content strategy. This survey needs to contain questions about what content your audience enjoys and what they would like to see more of. You can even ask them for examples of content they want from other brands. Once you’ve created the survey, you must circulate it on your social media pages and offer it to your website’s visitors.
5) Identify Your Best Content Channels
To identify content channels that will work for your brand, you must focus on the platforms where your audience is most active. Which social media channels generate the most engagement? Where does your content perform best? Does your blog content rank well and result in organic traffic?
Once you know what channels will give you more bang for your buck, you can invest in building an active online presence there.
For instance, if your blog content performs well on Pinterest, build a noticeable profile and double down your efforts in marketing your content there. Sometimes, it’s essential to go beyond merely creating and publishing content on social media channels. You need to go one step further and engage with your audience. Reply to comments and initiate meaningful conversations as much as you can.
If the articles you publish on your blog generate more engagement and clicks, invest time creating more content for your blog, improving or updating the outdated content, or even pruning content that is no longer useful to your readers.
6) Choose Topics and Keywords
Now that you know where to publish your content, you need to pick suitable topics and keywords to target. While doing this, you’ll want to focus on high-volume, low-competition keywords. This way, you can rank for popular searches while carving out a niche by writing about keywords your competitors need to focus on.
Looking for these high-volume, low-competition keywords can help you identify content gaps worth pursuing. If you need help selecting keywords to optimize your content, you can use the Ahrefs Keyword Explorer. This tool helps you analyze the ranking difficulty of each keyword in your niche and calculate its traffic potential.
You can pair the Ahrefs Keyword Explorer with their Site Explorer. The Site Explorer allows you to research your competitors’ backlinks and see what keywords they’re ranking for.
With the Keyword Explorer, the Site Explorer should help you identify keywords worth targeting. By targeting keywords that people commonly search for, you can boost your online visibility, capture more attention, and drive more traffic to your site.
If you’re looking for an alternative to Ahrefs, SEMrush offers similar keyword research functionalities.
7) Decide on Content Types and Formats
It’s essential to use content formats that your audience will enjoy. This is precisely why you should conduct a content audit in the beginning. A content audit will help you identify content formats that have performed well in the past and give you an idea of what you should produce more of.
Creating more of what your audience already loves is a surefire way to keep getting their attention with your content in the future.
While producing your content, remember that this content needs to be explicitly designed to appeal to your audience at each stage of the buyer journey. Your website has various content formats, including blog articles, social media text posts, images or photos, videos, and more.
8) Plan for Your Financial and Human Resources
So you’ve decided what channels you’ll use and what content you’ll produce. Next, you must identify how much money and workforce you need to accomplish your goals.
It is essential to set a realistic budget and get enough hands on deck if you can afford it. Some beginner marketers go solo and do everything from content production to marketing on their own. That’s okay, too, but take care not to spread yourself too thin with tasks because it will delay your progression where you don’t focus on anything and don’t do it well.
If you work on your project solo, focus on one thing at a time. Produce the best articles first, then build out social media channels later, etc. Don’t do everything at once.
If you use a team, focus on your content budget and maintain a small team by giving them impossible content targets. If you do this, you will have half-baked content and burnt-out employees.
9) Create a Content Calendar
Once you’ve established your resources, it’s time to plan what content you will create and when. A blog editorial content calendar is an excellent place to do this. If you use it well, you can see what you need to work on at any time.
A content calendar will keep you focused and help you evaluate your content efforts as you go along.
10) Develop Your Content
It’s time to create the content once you’ve finished building your content plan with suitable topics and keywords. Focus on it and get the content out—one article, social media post, or video after another.
11) Publish and Distribute Your Content
When your content is done, you need to publish it online. Before you distribute it, however, it’s essential to check the best time to post on each platform. After all, you want to share your content at a time when it’ll capture the most attention online.
If you share your content on social media, the best times to get the posts out are below.
12) Evaluate the Success of Your Content Strategy
As content marketing is a continuous journey, it’s essential to pause and evaluate your content strategy now and then. Failure to assess your success will only leave you shooting blindly in the dark without knowing what’s working for you.
To evaluate your content strategy, refer back to the KPIs you developed for yourself earlier. Measure your outcomes against your goals to identify what’s working and needs further tweaking.
Evaluate, learn, and improve, and you’ll be well on your way to a marketing career you’ll be proud of.
Examples of Successful Content Strategies You Can Borrow for Your Website
You can develop one content strategy to boost SEO, help with sales enablement, and improve your authority simultaneously. To help with this, we’ve highlighted three brands that excel in using content marketing in each of these areas.
1. SEO and Authority: Neil Patel
Neil Patel has made a name for himself as an SEO guru in the content marketing industry. His content ranks high on search engines. How has he effectively boosted his website’s SEO and authority?
He writes about topics in his niche that people are highly interested in. For example, he writes about SEO (no surprise there), blogging, and digital marketing. Since these are topics that people are generally curious about, Google also records tons of searches related to these topics. Neil Patel boosts his ranking on search engines by sharing answers to people’s questions in these areas.
Neil Patel also presents his written content in short sentences and paragraphs. Short sentences and condensed paragraphs suit your blog, conveying conciseness and precision.
Finally, Neil Patel prioritizes quality over quantity. Despite having written over 4785 blog posts, he believes more content doesn’t necessarily translate to more traffic. He’s evaluated his blog posts to show that more than half of them don’t generate any visits per month.
Rather than churning out one blog post after another, Neil Patel advises bloggers to find keywords that both search engines and people love. Once they’ve identified these keywords, they should focus on writing quality posts around them.
Don’t burn out writing about anything and everything to do with your niche. If you do that, you’ll save a lot of energy and have little traffic boost to show for it.
2. Sales Enablement: Mailchimp
When you visit Mailchimp’s homepage, you’ll find a link to a blog filled with many tips to help with email marketing for your business. How does this content help Mailchimp with sales enablement?
In some of these articles, Mailchimp explains how their all-in-one integrated marketing platform for small businesses can help you do precisely what the article is showing you how to do.
Let’s assume you need help building a new website for your online store. This guide from Mailchimp walks you through every aspect of creating a new website, including how to use their website builder.
It’s a good idea to drop mentions of the solution they’re offering to solve your target audience’s pain points into your blog articles. Likewise, when you use your blog to position yourself as a thought leader in your niche, people are much more likely to buy into your solution.
3. Authoritativeness
Dyson’s Instagram account is an excellent example of an authoritative Instagram page. Their profile is filled with posts highlighting their products’ unique features.
Let’s look at one of their posts about a new vacuum that features a graph that counts the dust it sucks up.
Look at this post about their air purifier, which you can connect to your smartphone.
As you can see, Dyson wants to help you to “get more from your purifier.” If you need help connecting the air purifier, the post directs you to a more detailed guide on the Dyson website.
Their website also boasts a tab called “My Dyson.” This tab offers customers personalized manuals and guides, maintenance advice, and tailored support for their purchased products.
Dyson ensures customers stay long after purchasing by explaining how their products work, highlighting unique features and offering support.
If your website’s readers get such a level of detail for the products you promote, they’ll be more confident in the product you’re selling them.
Conclusion
Developing a content strategy on your endless to-do list may be unnecessary. However, a good plan can keep you focused and accountable for your business. After all, creating content without any strategy is like throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks.
Poorly planned content marketing can quickly end in tears when you realize you’ve wasted time and energy on content that needs to be fixed. For this reason, developing a detailed content plan and following all the steps highlighted above is worthwhile.