Do you have a new website? Do you want more people to visit it? If yes, then you need something called backlinks.
In this guide, you will learn:
- What backlinks are
- Why they are important
- Easy steps to get backlinks
- Tips to stay safe while building backlinks
Let’s get started!
What Are Backlinks?
Think about school. When one friend tells another, “Hey, this book is awesome,” the book becomes popular.
In the internet world, this is what a backlink does. When one website gives a link to another website, it’s saying, “This page is good!”
That link is called a backlink.
So, if your website gets many backlinks, it means many websites trust your site. Google also notices this and starts showing your site higher in search results.
Why Are Backlinks Important?
Backlinks are like “thumbs-up” for your website.
Here’s why they matter:
- Trust – Google trusts websites that have good backlinks.
- Traffic – Backlinks bring more people to your website.
- Better Rank – More good backlinks help your site appear on page 1 of Google.
Good Backlinks vs. Bad Backlinks
Not all backlinks are the same. Some are good, and some are bad.
Good Backlinks:
- Come from websites people trust (like news sites or big blogs)
- Are related to your topic (if you sell shoes, a link from a fashion blog is good)
- Look natural (not forced)
Bad Backlinks:
- Come from spammy or fake sites
- Are not related to your site
- Are bought in bulk from shady sellers
Tip: It’s better to have 5 good backlinks than 100 bad ones.
Before You Start: Make Your Website Ready
You should do a few things before you try to get backlinks:
1. Add Helpful Content
Your website should have useful stuff. Like:
- Easy guides
- Funny or helpful videos
- Cool pictures or charts
- Tools (like a calculator)
Think: “Would someone want to share this with their friend?”
2. Make Sure Your Site Works
Your website should open fast and work well. Also:
- Submit your sitemap to Google
- Fix any broken pages
- Make sure Google can find your pages
3. Do Basic SEO
Use good titles, headers, and keywords. Also, add links between your own pages. This helps both people and Google.
Step-by-Step Guide to Build Backlinks
Now, let’s go through the easy steps to get backlinks.
Step 1: Look at Your Competitors
Find out who is linking to your competitors (other websites like yours). You can use tools like:
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Ubersuggest (this one has a free version)
These tools show:
- Who is linking to them
- What pages get links
- What type of content works
Then: Make something better than your competitors!
Step 2: Make Things People Want to Share
Make “link-worthy” stuff. Here are ideas:
- A helpful guide (like this one!)
- A list of tips
- A fun quiz
- A tool or app
- A chart or table with new data
When people find something helpful or fun, they share it. That gives you backlinks!
Step 3: Write for Other Blogs (Guest Posting)
Find websites in your field that allow guest posts. These are posts written by visitors.
You write a useful article for their site and add 1 link back to your site.
How to find such blogs:
- Google “write for us + [your topic]”
- Check blog directories
- Ask bloggers if they accept guest posts
Bonus: It helps you reach new people and build trust.
Step 4: Use Online Directories
Submit your site to local and niche directories.
Examples:
- Google My Business
- JustDial
- Yelp
- Yellow Pages
- Industry-specific directories (for doctors, lawyers, etc.)
These backlinks are great for local SEO and building trust.
Step 5: Use HARO (Help A Reporter Out)
Visit the websitehelpareporter.com. Sign up.
Every day, reporters ask questions. If you answer and they like your reply, they’ll put your name and website in their article.
This gives you a powerful backlink from news sites!
Step 6: Share Your Content in Groups
Post your blog or videos on:
- Facebook groups
- Quora
If your post is helpful, others may link to it.
But: Don’t spam! Always add value.
Step 7: Use Broken Link Method
Here’s a smart trick:
- Find pages on other sites that have broken links (use the tool “Broken Link Checker”).
- Create similar content on your website.
- Tell the site owner: “Hey! This link is broken. You can use my page instead.”
They often say yes because you’re helping them fix their site.
Step 8: Work with Local Experts
Ask a local SEO expert for help.
They can:
- Get your site listed on local news, blogs, and business sites
- Help you get citations (mentions of your business name and address)
This is good for people searching near your area.
Best Tips for Beginners
Tip 1: Don’t Buy Cheap Backlinks
It may look easy, but Google can punish you if you use bad tricks.
Tip 2: Stay in Your Topic
If you have a food blog, get links from food websites. Not from car or gaming sites!
Tip 3: Be Patient
Don’t rush. Even 5 strong backlinks a month can help over time.
Should You Use a Link Building Service?
If backlink work feels too hard or takes too much time, you can hire a company that does it.
They will:
- Find good backlink chances
- Write content
- Do outreach
- Save your time
But choose wisely! Some agencies do black-hat work (bad tricks). Pick someone with good reviews.
Local SEO and Backlinks
If your business serves a town or city, local backlinks help a lot.
Ways to get them:
- Join your city’s business groups
- Sponsor local events or charities
- Write about local news on your blog
- Partner with nearby businesses for blog exchanges
How SEO Companies Help
Good SEO companies do more than just backlinks.
They also:
- Speed up your site
- Fix errors
- Do keyword research
- Improve page layout
- Do content writing
- Help with mobile-friendly design
This makes backlinks even stronger because your site is ready to shine.
Final Thoughts: Start Slow, Stay Smart
Backlinks are like building a ladder. Each step takes effort.
But with the right steps:
- You get trust
- You get traffic
- You grow your website
Start with helpful content. Share it. Connect with others in your space. Fix your website. Stay away from fake shortcuts.
Over time, your website will become stronger and more people will find you on Google.
Remember: Even big websites started small. You just need to take the first step.
