Backlinks are very important for outreach. They are also one of the major Google ranking factors that need to be considered while doing search engine optimization(SEO). Most businesses are willing to do anything to get a link. However, while doing so, you must not resort to unethical practices that can drastically affect your search engine rankings. That is why white-hat link building is important.
What is the meaning of White-hat?
Typically, white-hat refers to practices that align with Google’s guidelines. Simply put, they are agreeable practices that should be a part of any outreach strategy. You should focus on creating a good experience and adding valuable content on the internet and not manipulate search ranking with unethical (black-hat) SEO practices.
What is the importance of White-hat link building?
While black-hat tactics are tempting and easier to achieve, they won’t help you in the long-run. Google’s search algorithm keeps changing and could cause you a manual penalty that can set you back. If it identifies low-quality backlinks pointing to your website, you will be penalized and your rankings can drop drastically. And this could be serious.
Avoid manipulating search engines by using link schemes such as buying, selling or trading links for SEO purposes, producing low-quality or auto-generated contented to place links.
So, if you have only authoritative, high-quality backlinks that you have earned through white-hat link building strategies will help you in the long-run. White-hat strategies are “future-proof” as you are not breaking any rules and you don’t have to worry about your rankings whenever there is an algorithm update.
What are white –hat link building techniques?
Here are a few clean white- hat techniques that you can implement without resorting to buying, selling or trading links with other websites. These techniques will help build authoritative links.
1. Content Promotion
You must create and publish exceptional content such as how-to-guide, tool, or original content on your website. You can then use social media or any other medium to promote your content and expand your brand awareness. This approach will also showcase your brand’s expertise and help build authority in your niche.
2. Guest posting
Guest posting is a slow process and yields less number of links. However, these links are highly valuable to your website especially if they are relevant. So, make sure that the links you place through guest blogging are relevant and authoritative. It should also include suitable keywords and control the context of your brand. Additionally, you need to place your guest posts on websites having higher authority. It will positively to your backlink profile and help you gain link equity.
In other words, you need to focus on creating high-quality content and engage your audience. You can reach out to bloggers, social media, and other websites related to your industry and write them an article. You can then link back to relevant content on your website as a resource. Some outlets that accept contributions from others will allow you to have a link to your website in the author's bio to help you get more exposure. This tactic can help establish your brand as a reliable source of information and authority in your niche.
Do note that it is against Google’s guidelines to trade or pay for links. Avoid placing links or getting links from another website that asks for payment. This is a clear violation of Google’s guidelines and puts your website at risk of being penalized.
3. Utility link building
If you sell local services such as TV, home security, or internet then utility link building can be beneficial to your business. It does not require much effort on your part as you don’t need to write articles or create new content. You simply need to send an email.
You can look for utility and resource pages on local government and real estate websites. Ask them to include your website as a resource. This way you can target local and engaged audiences that are searching for the services you provide.
4. Link reclamation
This is yet another way you can boost your link building without much effort. Link reclamation allows you to turn unlinked brand mentions into links or fix broken links that actually should lead to your website but don’t.
Unlinked Brand Mentions reclaiming
Find instances online where your brand name is mentioned but does not link back to your site. You can use either Google search queries or outreach tools to do so. Email those sites and thank them for mentioning your brand and ask them if they can include a link to your site.
Broken Link Reclamation
There may be times when you discontinue a product or service, removed outdated content, or re-launched your website. This may affect some of your URLs and the pages they refer to no longer exists.
You can use your outreach tools to find such broken links that should lead back to your website. Find out what the links originally referenced and find a new page on your website with products or similar content to the original. Email the websites and inform them about the broken links, provide them with a link to the new page and ask them to replace the old link with a new one.
Conclusion
White-hat outreach is one of the best ways to obtain high-quality backlinks to your website. It also maintains its place in the SERPs over time. Avoid black-hat tactics as your site can be penalized and ruin all your SEO efforts.