My Link Building Strategy Good or Bad?
-
Okay I am new to SEO and I have read a few SEO beginner guides and have been practicing SEO over time now. I am trying to do SEO for a new clients site that is a completely new site with no MR and MT and here is my current link building strategy. Can you please review my link building plan and help me out with suggestions and corrections
1. Directory Submissions- From what I understand since the new google penguin updates this isn't as effective of a method but I am trying get high PR directory list, but a lot of them require paid standard submission reviews, otherwise it takes 2-3 months
2. Local Directory Submissions- Such as yelp, angee's list, whitepages, and other local directories.
3. Social Bookmarking- submit links to social bookmarking sites with target keyword(s) as anchor
4. Article Writing & Submission: create articles and submit to high pr article directories with different article titles and also wanted to see different submissions I can make with each article
5. Press Releases- submit to high pagerank press release directories, also wanted to see how many submissions is generally the rule of thumb for press releases.
6. Blog Outreach for Product Reviews: Submit products to blogs with PR 2+ to get review and backlinks
7. Forum Profile Creation- create forum profiles and engage in topics with signature with a link, I understand that since the penguin update this isn't something I should emphasis on
8. Blog Commenting- comment on relevant blogs that have dofollow links and nofollow links for link diversity
9. Guest Blogging- Write unique content and outreach to related blogs for guest posting opportunities
10. .edu & .gov links- How do I gain .edu & .gov links I have read several articles and I am having a hard time understanding this concept, would commenting on .edu & .gov blogs and profiles be an effective method or the correct method for gaining these types of links?
-
Jeepster, that I can't say for sure. As an editor, I go for what is trusted by my readers.
-
Hi Keri & Chris
Thanks for the replies.
What I'm trying to ascertain is: is a link in the body of a post more trusted by search engines than one in an author bio at the bottom of it? -
Yes, you're right, there are very few legitimate opportunities to get a link back to your site from within the body a guest blog post. However, if a resource existed on the author's site that supported the blog post and there were no other appropriate resources, would that be a case where such a link would be acceptable?
-
It can make a difference to to a picky editor who is reviewing your guest post. I can't tell you how many YouMoz submissions start out with "I was talking with my coworkers at my seo company [link drop] about xyz". Both SEOmoz and the author would get called out if we published the YouMoz post like that. Those types of links get removed and the author is invited to put them in their bio.
-
Jeepster, these days, forget the back link and go for the authorship markup from your bio or author page to your G+ account--especially if it's not a high quality blog your guest post is on, 'cause they're going to get dinged eventually and those back links will be worthless. If they don't do authorship, you may think about getting the post published elsewhere. If they're a quality blog (all posts are on-topic and they've got an active readership) it could go either way as to which is better--authorship or back link.
If you have to go with the link, go with a branded term from your bio.
-
Quick Q Chris, given that I found your answer at the top of this thread one of the most informative I've read in a while:
Guest blogging: does it make a difference whether the link back to my site is embedded in the article itself as opposed to in an author bio at the bottom?
Thanks -
I know you said "at least 500 words", but make sure all of your articles don't have the same (or very close) word count.
This is a pattern that's likely pretty obvious to Google as there's a countless number of "SEO companies" selling 500 word articles.
In other words, a blog naturally is going to have posts with varying word counts.
-
Yep.
-
Okay so stay away from any directories that other sites are using targeted keyword anchor text, So when posting links on the directories I should avoid using keyword anchors instead use the client's site or brand name correct?
-
Getting there. Stay away from directories where others are using targeted anchor text.
-
thank you so much for your input and the clarification on my whole link building plan. I revised my link building strategy, so can you please take a look at it and let me know if it is better or worse
-
Okay based on some more reading and your guys inputs here is my revised plan for the link building campaign, the client is in the cell phone accessories field and most of the keywords are high competition
Directory Submissions (Budget=$300/ 1st mo)- Directory submissions using target anchor texts including paid directory submissions including highly authoritative directories such as yahoo and BOTW
Local Directory Submissions- Submit site with targeted anchor texts to local directories such as angee’s list, yelp, yahoo, whitepages, etc.
Blog Outreach for reviews- Contact niche blogs and relevant blogs with at least PR 2+ to do product reviews
Blog Giveaways- Create and promote a giveaway on various different related blogs and websites
Article writing/ Submission- Create 4-5 unique articles with 1-2 keyword’s target in each article of at least 500 words. High quality articles that can be used on high quality sites instead of article directories
Guest Posting- create 2-3 guest posts that can be used to distribute to high quality blogs and sites that offer guest posting
1 Press Release- Create a press release and distribute to high quality press release sites
-
It's hard to give specific input without knowing the client. A link building strategy, like all SEO, is something that needs to be tailored to the client. On the whole, however, with articles it's really is about quality and legitimacy.
If you write quality articles that have meaningful and useful content, then you have a better chance of getting them published on sites that will provide high link value. If you're just gaming the system and writing solely for the sake of links, then you're going to be limited to low-quality sites, which won't do a whole lot for the client.
-
Thank you for the input I really appreciate it, also what are your opinions on Article writing and methods of distributions
-
Arash,
Go to this really cool site that organizes every Matt Cutts video according the questions they answer it's called The Short Cutts, and match your 10 points above against the video topics in the link building catergory. Then watch this video, and then read through these posts. Then you'll want to work on revisions to your list. It's hard work but you can do it.
-
That's quite a lengthy plan. I have no idea what the budget is, but if it isn't large I think it would be best to narrow this down to one or two methods and build from there.
Despite all the negative attention directories have been getting lately, there is still value in them. Your idea of only targeting high quality ones is good, but also make sure they are relevant (either in their total focus or at least have a very relevant category). Having to pay is a given and should be part of your budget. This can be a good, (relatively) quick-result first step if done properly.
Comments on any site, including .edu & .gov, aren't the best first line of attack. Their SEO value is very limited and it takes many to amount to anything. I'm not convinced they every really do amount to anything from a strictly SEO point of view.
Press releases also get a lot of guff, but if there's something legit to announce, then that should definitely be explored. It's all about how much real value the PR brings to readers.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Is it good or bad to add noindex for empty pages, which will get content dynamically after some days
We have followers, following, friends, etc pages for each user who creates account on our website. so when new user sign up, he may have 0 followers, 0 following and 0 friends, but over period of time he can get those lists go up. we have different pages for followers, following and friends which are allowed for google to index. When user don't have any followers/following/friends, those pages looks empty and we get issue of duplicate content and description too short. so is it better that we add noindex for those pages temporarily and remove noindex tag when there are at least 2 or more people on those pages. What are side effects of adding noindex when there is no data on those page or benefits of it?
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | swapnil120 -
Breadcrumbs and internal links
Hello, I use to move up my site structure with links in content. I have now installed breadcrumbs, is it is useful to still keep the links in content or isn't there a need to duplicate those links ? and are the breadcrumbs links enough. Thank you,
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | seoanalytics1 -
Hitting a brick wall with link building!
I am working on a new home furnishing e-commerce site, and started a couple of link building campaigns. Specifically, I have started a scholarship campaign with outreach going to schools, and a broken link building/content outreach campaign. With both of these campaigns, I am targeting .edu domains first, and some high value blogs in that niche. I am hitting a brick wall with both! These are both the types of campaigns I have tried before, with some degree of success. It seems that the webmasters have been getting so inundated with spam that they simply ignore emails. Does anyone have recent successful experience with these link building methods? I would appreciate any advice on current link building methods if anyone is willing to share. TIA
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | Kevin_Hatanian1 -
Spammy Inbound Links
Hello, We have been using Zendesk to manage our customer support tickets for approx 2 years. We recently noticed that the attached forum had lot's of spam comments attached to it. Promoting Viagra and the like. The system was installed as a subdomain of my site support.mysite.com We have since deleted our account with Zendesk but Moz and Google are reporting loads of inbound links to that subdomain that are all total spam with Viagra in the anchor text etc. The subdomain no longer exists and now throws a 404. Can these links still hurt me? Is there other steps I need to take? I have disavowed all the links.
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | niallfred0 -
27 of 127 Domains Agreed to Remove Bad Links, Is this an Unusually Low Ratio?
Hi MOZ Community: I hired an SEO firm to run a link audit, identify bad links, request that those links be removed and upload a disavow file to Google Webmaster tools for the domains that would not agree to remove their links. My SEO company after emailing the owners of the bad domains linking to us obtained the following results: NYCOfficeSpaceLeader Total for Removal: 125 (118) Found: 87 (84) Removed: 27 (27) Only a total of 27 domains out of 87 found domains have been removed so far. Seven additional domains have asked for a link removal ransom which we are refusing. Only getting 27 removed seems really low. Is this normal? Is there any way to increase this number? Will the disavow file have any effect and if so when? If Google does not actually remove the links, how can I determine when the disavow file has been processed. I feel a little silly having paid a lot of money and the only tangible effect to date is that links from 27 domains have been removed. Has it been a worthwhile investment for only having links from 27 domains removed? My company does not have an unlimited marketing budget so obviously there is some concern. At the same time the SEO firm seems professional. Thanks,
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | Kingalan1
Alan0 -
Is this link being indexed?
link text Deadline: Monday, Sep 30, 2013 link text I appreciate the help guys!
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | jameswalkerson0 -
Experience with Google Disawow Tool and discovering bad back-links
Hi Community, is there any experience to tell here about the disawow tool from Google? Any review? It have helped revocer sites beaten by Penguin or penalized after WMT Unnatural Link building message? Which tools and methods you use to find bad back-links to submit for the disawow tool? Thanks for your feedback,
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | Braumueller0 -
Do nofollow links affect link profile?
I've read that it's good to keep a natural link profile. Some naked links, some links going to our company name, some with anchor text, etc. Do nofollow links affect this link profile, or is it only followed links that are taken into account?
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | lighttable0