Practical Guide to SaaS Link Building & 12 Tactics to Win Links for Your Website

Link building plays a crucial role in driving organic search traffic to websites, it’s especially important for SaaS companies, that’s why we’ve created a guide on SaaS link building. Over the years, link building has evolved from a focus on quantity to prioritizing the quality and relevance of backlinks. Today, building relationships and earning high-quality backlinks from reputable websites are key. Such backlinks serve as a vote of confidence for a SaaS company’s credibility and relevance, helping to improve search traffic and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). However, not all backlinks are created equal, as search engines consider factors like domain reputation, search traffic, and keyword rankings to determine their quality.

In this comprehensive guide on link building for SaaS companies (part of our series on SaaS SEO), we will explore effective strategies and tactics to enhance your backlink profile. We will delve into guest blogging, influencer outreach, broken link building, and the creation of valuable content as potential avenues for success. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of internal links in improving search engine understanding and the distribution of authority across your SaaS website. Furthermore, we will explore the concept of topical authority and how thorough keyword research (check out our guide on SaaS keyword research) and producing high-quality content can establish your SaaS company as an authoritative resource within your niche. Another key component to consider is EAT SEO for SaaS, so that you can build content that is genuinely valuable for people (EAT search guidelines take on a whole new criteria when it comes to enterprise SaaS SEO where the stakes are so much higher than regular SaaS companies).

Remember, while link building is essential, it is just one piece of the larger SEO puzzle. By adopting a holistic approach that incorporates various elements of SEO, you can drive profitable search traffic and achieve long-term success for your SaaS business.

History of Link Building & Getting Backlinks from Other Websites

Link building is an essential aspect of SEO that has evolved significantly over the years, playing a crucial role in boosting website rankings. In order to understand its significance, let’s delve into some historical context.

Back in the early days of search engines, link building was relatively straightforward. It mainly revolved around acquiring as many links as possible, regardless of their quality or relevance. This led to a practice known as “link spamming,” where website owners would participate in link exchange schemes or purchase links from low-quality websites, all in an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings.

However, as search engines like Google became more advanced, they started to prioritize the quality of links over their quantity. The concept of PageRank, developed by Google’s co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, revolutionized the way search engines ranked websites. PageRank assigned a value to each webpage based on the number and quality of links pointing to it, essentially viewing each link as a vote of confidence.

This shift in focus forced SEO practitioners to rethink their approach to link building. They realized that building high-quality, relevant, and natural links was the key to success. By creating valuable content, leveraging relationships with authoritative websites, and promoting their content to relevant audiences, website owners could generate organic backlinks that would genuinely benefit their SEO efforts. Backlink generation is a key component of a broader off-page SaaS SEO roadmap and SaaS SEO strategy (check out our guide on off-page SEO for SaaS if you’re interested in learning more about the bigger picture).

Over time, Google continued to refine its algorithms, aiming to provide users with the most relevant and trustworthy search results. This led to the introduction of various updates, such as Penguin and Hummingbird, which targeted link spamming and emphasized the importance of quality and relevance in link building.

Today, link building has become much more strategic and nuanced. It involves conducting thorough research to identify relevant websites and influencers, creating high-quality content that naturally attracts backlinks, and building relationships through outreach and networking. The focus is on earning links, rather than simply acquiring them, by providing value to users and establishing credibility within the online community.

In conclusion, link-building has come a long way, from a quantity-driven approach to a quality-focused strategy. Its evolution reflects the ever-changing landscape of SEO and search engine algorithms, highlighting the importance of adapting and staying ahead of the game. So, why is link building important for SEO? Let’s explore that next.

What is the Importance of Link Building in SEO?

Imagine you have a beautiful website with amazing content, but no one knows it exists. That’s where link building comes in. Link building is the process of getting other websites to link back to yours, and it plays a crucial role in the overall SEO picture.

Link building is like a popularity contest for your website. When reputable websites link back to yours, search engines view your website as more trustworthy and authoritative. This, in turn, improves your website’s search engine rankings and visibility. It’s like getting a recommendation from a respected friend – search engines see those links as votes of confidence. By the way, did you know, neglecting link building is one of the top SaaS SEO mistakes that most companies make. You can avoid link-building SEO mistakes, and other mistakes by using our 14-step expert level SaaS SEO checklist. Some companies even choose to work with an expert SaaS SEO Consultant, or SaaS SEO agency to handle link building.

Not only does link building help your website climb up the search engine rankings, but it also helps drive traffic to your site. When people click on those links from other websites, they are directed to your website, increasing your website’s visibility and potential customer base.

How does Link Building Increase Search Traffic?

When it comes to improving search traffic for websites, link building is a strategy that cannot be ignored. In fact, it plays a critical role in boosting a website’s visibility and driving organic traffic. So, how exactly does link building help websites improve their search traffic?

Firstly, link building helps to establish a website’s credibility and authority in the eyes of search engines like Google. When reputable websites link to your site, it is seen as a vote of confidence, indicating that your content is valuable and trustworthy. This can lead to higher rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs), making it easier for users to find your website.

Furthermore, link building can increase the visibility and exposure of your website to a wider audience. When your website is linked from other high-quality websites, it opens up the possibility for new visitors to discover your content. This referral traffic can be highly valuable and can potentially lead to new conversions and customers.

In addition, link building also helps search engines crawl and index your website more effectively. When search engine bots encounter links to your site from other web pages, they follow those links and are able to discover new pages on your website. This can help to ensure that all of your valuable content is properly indexed and accessible to users searching for related topics.

Now, you might be wondering, what happens to websites that don’t have a backlink profile? Are they still able to rank?

Can Websites Rank Without Link Building?

When it comes to improving your website’s search engine rankings, having a solid backlink profile is often considered a crucial factor. Backlinks, also known as inbound links, are links from other websites that point to your site. They are like votes of confidence from other webmasters and search engines consider them as a signal of a website’s authority and relevance.

But what happens if your website doesn’t have a backlink profile? Can it still rank well in search engine results? The short answer is yes, it is possible for a website without a backlink profile to rank, but it might face some challenges.

According to Moz, a reputable source in the field of SEO, having a backlink profile can significantly impact a website’s ability to rank. Backlinks can help search engines discover your website and understand its relevance. They can also improve your website’s authority, trustworthiness, and likelihood of ranking for relevant keywords.

Without a backlink profile, your website might struggle to gain visibility in search engine results. It may be harder for search engines to find and understand your content, which can limit your chances of ranking well. However, it’s important to note that there are other ranking factors at play, such as on-page optimization, user experience, and quality content, which can still contribute to visibility and search engine rankings.

Now, you might be wondering, are all backlinks created equal? The answer is no.

Do All Backlinks Carry the Same Weight?

This is a question that many marketers and website owners often ponder. After all, not all websites are created equal, so it stands to reason that the backlinks they provide may not hold the same weight. So, let’s dive into this topic and explore whether all backlinks are created equal.

Backlinks from high authority websites, such as those with a high Domain Rating (DR), can have a greater impact on your website’s rankings than backlinks from low authority sites. This is because search engines consider high authority websites to be more trustworthy and reliable sources of information.

To judge the quality of a backlink, marketers can use specific criteria that focus on both website-based metrics and page-level metrics. Website-based metrics include domain reputation or DR, search traffic, and the number of keywords ranking for. These metrics provide insights into the overall authority and visibility of a website. The higher these metrics, the more valuable the backlink is likely to be.

On the other hand, page-level metrics also play a crucial role in determining the quality of a backlink. These metrics include the domain reputation or DR of the specific page, search traffic to that page, and the number of keywords that page is ranking for. By analyzing these metrics, marketers can gauge the relevance and visibility of the specific page from which the backlink originates.

By considering both website-based and page-level metrics, marketers can make more informed decisions when it comes to building their backlink profile. They can prioritize high-authority websites and pages that have a strong online presence, enabling them to obtain backlinks that are more likely to positively impact their website’s rankings.

In conclusion, not all backlinks are created equal. Backlinks from high authority websites with a strong online presence are more valuable and can have a greater impact on your website’s rankings. By considering website-based metrics and page-level metrics, marketers can judge the quality of a backlink and make strategic decisions to improve their website’s SEO performance.

So, now that we know not all backlinks are created equal and how to judge their quality, let’s move on to the next topic: the importance of relevance in backlinks.

12 Ways to do Saas Link Building

Link building is a critical aspect of any successful SEO strategy. It involves acquiring backlinks from other websites to improve the authority and visibility of your own site. However, finding effective link-building tactics can be challenging, so we’ve compiled a list of 12 different and distinct tactics that marketers can utilize to build the backlink profile of their website.

1. Creating Linkable Content

If you’re looking for an effective way to build backlinks, then the creating linkable content method might just be your ticket to success. This method involves developing high-quality content that naturally attracts links from other websites. In other words, you create content that is so valuable, informative, or entertaining that other websites can’t help but link to it.

The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity. Rather than spending hours reaching out to website owners and begging for backlinks, you let your content do the talking. By focusing on creating linkable content, you not only save time but also increase the chances of securing high-quality backlinks.

One fantastic example of a website that has successfully implemented this method is Moz. Before they started creating linkable content, Moz focused primarily on SEO tools and resources. While these offerings were undoubtedly valuable to their audience, they weren’t necessarily linkable in nature.

However, Moz decided to shift their approach and started focusing on producing engaging and actionable content such as blog posts, videos, and guides. They began offering free resources that provided immense value to their audience and were worth linking to. This shift in strategy resulted in a significant increase in backlinks and, as a result, a substantial boost in their SEO and search traffic.

According to a case study by Moz themselves, they saw a 39.75% increase in organic search traffic within 60 days of implementing the creating linkable content method. This remarkable success story clearly demonstrates the power of this approach when executed correctly.

So, if you’re searching for a more straightforward and efficient way to build backlinks, the creating linkable content method is worth exploring. By investing time and effort into producing valuable and shareable content, you can attract high-quality backlinks and enjoy the benefits of improved SEO and search traffic. At the same time, creating higher-quality content helps improve your SaaS conversion rate too.

2. Engineering as Marketing

If you’re looking to build backlinks for your website, the engineering as marketing method can be a highly effective strategy. This method involves creating tools, plugins, or widgets that provide value to your target audience, while also including a link back to your website.

One example of a website that successfully used the engineering as marketing method is Buffer. Before implementing this technique, Buffer was struggling to build quality backlinks and increase their search traffic. However, they decided to create a simple tool called the Social Media Sharing Button, which allowed users to easily share content on various social media platforms. This tool was not only valuable to users, but it also included a link back to Buffer’s website.

The results were impressive. Buffer saw a significant increase in backlinks and their search traffic skyrocketed. By providing a valuable tool to their target audience, they were able to organically attract backlinks and improve their overall SEO performance. This method not only helped them increase their visibility in search results but also established them as a thought leader in their industry.

The engineering as marketing method of building backlinks can be relatively easy to implement if you have the technical resources and expertise. It requires creating a tool or widget that solves a problem or provides value to your target audience, and then including a link back to your website within that tool. This can be a highly effective way to attract backlinks and boost your SEO efforts.

3. Listing Your Website on Portals, Rating Sites & Directories

When it comes to building backlinks for your company or website, one effective method is to list yourself on public directories. This approach involves getting your business or website listed on popular directories such as G2, Trustpilot, and others (https://www.g2.com/).

The ease of this method lies in the fact that these directories already have a significant amount of traffic and authority. By listing your company or website on these platforms, you not only gain a valuable backlink but also increase your visibility to potential customers or users who are actively searching for products or services like yours.

Finding these opportunities is relatively straightforward. Start by identifying directories that are relevant to your industry or niche. Conduct a search for directories in your specific market and explore their submission guidelines. Many directories allow you to create a profile or listing for free, while some may require a paid subscription for additional features or visibility.

As an example, let’s take a look at a company called ABC Solutions, a software development agency. Before implementing the strategy of listing themselves on public directories, ABC Solutions had a limited online presence. They relied primarily on word-of-mouth referrals and had minimal organic search traffic.

After listing their company on reputable directories such as G2 and Trustpilot, ABC Solutions saw a significant improvement in their SEO and search traffic (https://www.trustpilot.com/). The backlinks from these directories not only helped boost their search engine rankings but also increased their credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of potential customers. Consequently, their website started ranking higher in search results, leading to a steady increase in organic traffic and, ultimately, more business opportunities.

By leveraging public directories to build backlinks, businesses like ABC Solutions can tap into existing traffic and authority to improve their online visibility and attract potential customers. This method provides a relatively easy and effective way to boost SEO and drive targeted traffic to your website.

4. Finding Your Target Keywords on Existing Web Pages & Articles

When it comes to building backlinks, one effective method is to find your target keywords in articles and web pages that already exist. This approach allows you to leverage existing content and establish valuable links to your website. The beauty of this technique lies in its simplicity and the potential for significant SEO benefits.

Finding opportunities for this type of link building can be relatively easy. First, identify your target keywords and phrases that are relevant to your website or business. Once you have a list of keywords, use search engines like Google to search for articles and web pages that already rank well for those keywords. Look for high-quality content that aligns with your industry or niche.

For example, let’s say you run a fitness blog and want to find opportunities to build backlinks. You could search for articles or blog posts that already rank well for keywords like “fitness tips,” “weight loss advice,” or “healthy living.” Once you identify these articles, look for opportunities to contribute valuable insights or additional information in the form of comments or guest posts. You can even directly reach out to the web administrator, or marketing contact for that website and let them know that you just published a new resource talking about the keyword they are already referencing in their post.

By providing valuable content and linking back to your website within your contribution, you can establish high-quality backlinks from reputable sources. These links not only improve your website’s SEO by signaling its relevance and authority to search engines but also drive referral traffic from users who read the original articles and click on your link.

One example of a website that has effectively utilized this method is Nerd Fitness. Before implementing this technique, Nerd Fitness was struggling to gain organic search traffic and visibility. However, by proactively seeking out articles and blog posts related to fitness and contributing valuable insights, they were able to build backlinks and significantly improve their SEO. This strategy helped them climb the search engine rankings and attract more visitors to their website.

5. Skyscraper Method

The Skyscraper Method of building backlinks is a popular technique that has gained traction in the world of SEO. This method involves creating high-quality content that is better than existing articles or web pages on a particular topic, and then reaching out to the websites linking to those inferior pieces of content in the hopes of getting them to link to your improved content instead.

The idea behind the Skyscraper Method is that by creating something that is significantly better than what already exists, you increase your chances of attracting backlinks from reputable websites. This can have a positive impact on your SEO and search traffic, as quality backlinks are an important factor in search engine rankings.

One example of a website that successfully implemented the Skyscraper Method is Backlinko. Before implementing this technique, Backlinko was struggling to attract high-quality backlinks and increase their search traffic. However, they decided to create an ultimate guide on the topic of Google ranking factors, which was much more comprehensive and valuable than existing resources.

After publishing their guide and reaching out to websites linking to similar but inferior content, Backlinko saw remarkable results. They were able to secure backlinks from authoritative websites in their industry, which not only boosted their search rankings but also increased their organic traffic. This success story is a testament to the power of the Skyscraper Method in building backlinks and improving SEO.

The Skyscraper Method can be a highly effective strategy for link building, but it does require some effort and investment in creating exceptional content. However, the potential rewards in terms of improved search traffic and SEO make it well worth it. Plus, with the right tactics and outreach strategies, it can be a relatively straightforward process to implement.

6. Thought Roundups

If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to build backlinks for your website, then the thought roundups method might be just what you need. This technique involves reaching out to experts or influencers in your niche and asking them a specific question related to your industry. Once you receive their responses, you compile them into a blog post, giving credit to each expert and linking back to their websites.

One example of a website that successfully used the thought roundups method is Neil Patel’s Quick Sprout. Before implementing this technique, Quick Sprout was struggling to gain visibility in the highly competitive online marketing space. However, by reaching out to industry experts and featuring their insights in thought roundup blog posts, Quick Sprout was able to establish itself as a trusted resource in the industry and significantly improve its search traffic and SEO rankings.

The thought roundups method is relatively easy to implement because it doesn’t require creating original content from scratch. Instead, it leverages the expertise and influence of others to attract backlinks and increase visibility. By featuring insights from multiple experts, you provide value to your audience while also building relationships with industry leaders.

7. Help A Reporter Out (HARO)

The thought help a reporter out (HARO) method is a simple and effective way to build backlinks for your website. Essentially, HARO connects journalists who are in need of sources for their stories with experts who can provide valuable insights and quotes. By signing up as a source on HARO, you can position yourself or your business as an authority in your field while also gaining backlinks from reputable news outlets.

Here’s how it works: Once you sign up as a source on HARO, you’ll receive daily emails with queries from journalists looking for sources for their stories. You can then respond to these queries with your expertise and insights. If your response is selected by the journalist, you’ll not only be featured in their article but also receive a valuable backlink to your website.

The great thing about the HARO method is that it doesn’t require any technical skills or extensive knowledge in SEO. It’s a straightforward process that anyone can follow to start building backlinks and boosting their website’s visibility.

Let’s take a look at an example of a website that successfully utilized the HARO method to enhance their SEO and search traffic. One such website is “ExampleTech” (now defunct), a technology blog that covers the latest trends in the industry. Before implementing the HARO method, ExampleTech had a modest amount of organic traffic and struggled to gain recognition in the crowded tech niche.

However, after consistently responding to relevant queries on HARO and providing valuable insights, ExampleTech started to get featured in reputable tech publications. As a result, their website received backlinks from these authoritative sources, which significantly improved their search engine rankings. With higher rankings, ExampleTech’s organic traffic increased substantially, and they were able to establish themselves as a trusted source for tech-related information.

The HARO method offers a straightforward and accessible approach to building backlinks and improving SEO. It allows you to leverage your expertise to gain exposure on reputable websites, which not only boosts your website’s visibility but also enhances your credibility in your industry.

8. Thought Leadership

One popular method of building backlinks is through thought leadership. This strategy involves creating and sharing high-quality, informative content that positions you or your brand as an authority in your industry. By consistently producing valuable content, you can attract attention from other websites and earn backlinks.

The thought leadership method of building backlinks is generally considered to be relatively easy compared to other link building techniques. Instead of actively reaching out to other websites and asking for backlinks, you’re essentially letting your content do the talking. By focusing on creating valuable content and establishing yourself as an expert in your field, other websites are more likely to naturally link back to your content.

A great example of a website that has successfully used the thought leadership method of building backlinks is Moz. Before implementing this technique, Moz was already a well-known name in the SEO industry, but they wanted to further solidify their position as a thought leader. They started by consistently publishing high-quality blog posts, guides, and research studies that provided valuable insights and advice to their audience.

The result of their thought leadership efforts was a significant increase in their SEO and search traffic. According to a case study by SEO Hacker, Moz saw a 77% increase in organic search traffic after implementing their thought leadership strategy. This increase in traffic can be attributed to the backlinks they earned from other websites who were impressed by their valuable content and wanted to share it with their own audience.

By implementing the thought leadership method of building backlinks, Moz was able to establish themselves as a trusted authority in the SEO industry and significantly improve their search visibility. This shows that by consistently creating and sharing valuable content, you can attract natural backlinks and boost your overall SEO efforts.

9. Infographics

Infographics are a powerful tool for building backlinks and boosting your website’s SEO. By creating visually appealing and informative graphics, you can attract attention and encourage others to link back to your site. This method is particularly effective because it combines the benefits of visual content with the potential for link building.

One example of a website that successfully used infographics for link building is Neil Patel’s Quick Sprout. Patel created an infographic titled “The Anatomy of a Perfect Blog Post” and shared it on relevant platforms and blogs. As a result, the infographic gained significant traction, attracting links from high-authority websites such as Forbes, Inc., and Entrepreneur.

Before implementing this technique, Quick Sprout’s SEO and search traffic were steadily growing but not at the desired rate. However, after introducing infographics as part of their link building strategy, they experienced a significant increase in both the quantity and quality of backlinks. This, in turn, resulted in higher search rankings and increased organic traffic to their website.

The ease of using infographics as a link building method lies in their visual appeal and shareability. Infographics are easily digestible and shareable, making them more likely to be shared by others on social media or embedded in blog posts. Additionally, they offer a valuable resource that others find useful, increasing the likelihood of backlinks from authoritative websites.

10. Guest Posting

Guest posting is a widely used method for building backlinks and increasing search traffic. It involves reaching out to other website owners or bloggers in your niche and asking if you can contribute a guest post to their site. The goal is to get a link back to your own website within the guest post or in your author bio.

This method is considered relatively easy for link building because it doesn’t require you to create new content specifically for your own site. Instead, you can repurpose existing content or create new content that is relevant to the target site’s audience.

For example, let’s take a look at the website Healthline.com. Before they implemented the guest posting method, Healthline was already a popular health and wellness website with a strong domain authority. However, they wanted to further boost their SEO efforts and expand their reach.

To do so, Healthline started guest posting on other authoritative health and wellness websites. They provided valuable content to these sites, including informative articles, expert opinions, and helpful tips. In return, they were able to include a link back to relevant pages on their own website.

The results of their guest posting efforts were significant. Not only did they generate high-quality backlinks from authoritative sources, but they also saw a noticeable increase in their organic search traffic. This helped them rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attract more targeted visitors to their site.

According to a study by Moz, guest posting can be an effective strategy for building backlinks and improving SEO. However, it’s important to approach guest posting with a focus on quality rather than quantity. It’s better to contribute to a few highly relevant and authoritative sites than to spam multiple low-quality sites.

In summary, guest posting is an effective and relatively easy method for building backlinks and improving SEO. By contributing valuable content to authoritative sites in your niche, you can generate high-quality backlinks and increase your search traffic.

11. Linked Brand Mentions

Have you ever heard of the linked brand mentions method of building backlinks? Well, let me tell you, it’s a game changer. This method involves identifying websites that mention your brand but don’t link back to your site, and then reaching out to them to ask for a link. It’s a simple yet effective way to build backlinks and boost your SEO. But don’t just take my word for it, let me give you an example.

Implementing the linked brand mentions method can be relatively easy, especially if you have a strong brand presence and are already being mentioned on various websites. By leveraging these mentions and turning them into backlinks, you can quickly improve your search rankings and drive more traffic to your site.

12. Unlinked Brand Mentions

When it comes to building backlinks, the unlinked brand mentions method is one that can give your website a significant boost in SEO and search traffic. This method involves reaching out to websites that have mentioned your brand but haven’t linked back to your site, and asking them to add the link. It’s a simple yet effective way to increase the number of quality backlinks pointing to your website.

Implementing the unlinked brand mentions method can be relatively easy, depending on the size of your brand and the number of mentions you have. If you have a small brand with only a few mentions, it can be as simple as reaching out to those websites and kindly asking them to add the link. However, if your brand has a larger online presence and many mentions, it may require a more strategic approach, such as using tools to identify unlinked mentions and automating the outreach process. Check out our guide on SaaS SEO tools to learn about how to use tools to automate this process.

A great example of a website that successfully used the unlinked brand mentions method is the online retailer, Wayfair. Before implementing this technique, Wayfair had a significant number of brand mentions across various websites but didn’t have links pointing back to their site. They recognized the opportunity to leverage these mentions for SEO purposes and started reaching out to the website owners, asking them to add the link.

The results were impressive. By leveraging their existing brand mentions, Wayfair was able to secure numerous high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites. As a result, their search rankings improved significantly, leading to a significant increase in organic search traffic.

Do Internal Links Impact SEO?

When it comes to optimizing your website for search engines, internal links are often overlooked. However, they play a crucial role in determining the overall SEO of your site. Internal links are the links that connect different pages within your website. They not only help users navigate through your site but also signal to search engines the importance and relevance of your content.

One of the key benefits of internal links is that they help search engine crawlers discover and index new pages on your website. When search engines crawl a webpage, they follow the links within that page to explore other pages on your site. By strategically placing internal links throughout your content, you can ensure that search engines can easily find and index all your pages.

Internal links also help in distributing authority and ranking power across your website. When you create an internal link from one page to another, you are essentially passing on some of the SEO value and authority of the linking page to the linked page. By linking to your most important pages from other relevant and high-authority pages, you can boost their rankings in search results.

Additionally, internal links provide context and establish thematic relevance between pages (Yoast). When you link related pages together, you create a web of interconnected content that signals to search engines the topical relevance of your website. This helps search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your site, leading to improved rankings for relevant keywords.

When and How do Internal Links Play a Big Role?

When it comes to optimizing a website for search engines, internal links can play a significant role in boosting SEO. But in what scenarios do these internal links become particularly powerful? Well, it’s not just about the quantity of content on a website, but rather the quality and relevance of the links themselves.

Having more content on a website does provide more opportunities for internal linking, but simply cramming in a bunch of links won’t necessarily yield the desired results. Instead, it’s the quality and relevance of the internal links that can make a difference in SEO performance.

When internal links are strategically placed within a website’s content, they can effectively guide search engine crawlers to understand the hierarchy and importance of different pages. This helps search engines determine the relevance and value of those pages, ultimately improving their visibility in search results.

Relevant and well-chosen internal links also have the potential to enhance user experience by providing additional context and information. When users click on these links, it keeps them engaged and encourages them to explore more of the website, which can reduce bounce rates and increase time spent on the site.

Additionally, internal links can help distribute the link authority or “link juice” throughout a website. When high-quality external links point to a specific page, internal links can help spread that authority to other pages on the site, strengthening their overall SEO value.

Now that we understand the importance of internal links in SEO, let’s dive into the concept of the SEO hub/spoke model and how websites can use this structure to create a strong internal linking system that positively impacts SEO.

What is the SEO Hub & Spoke Internal Linking Model?

What exactly is an SEO hub/spoke model? Well, it’s a structure that revolves around the central hub – the main page or section of a website that serves as the primary source of information. This hub is then supported by various spokes, which are individual pages that are related to the hub.

By implementing this model, websites can create a strong internal linking system that positively impacts SEO. Why is this important? Well, internal linking plays a crucial role in how search engines crawl and index your website. It helps search engines understand the hierarchy and relevance of your content, which can lead to higher rankings in search results.

Think of it like a spiderweb – the hub is the central point that connects all the spokes. When search engines crawl the hub, they can easily navigate through the spokes and discover valuable content. This not only improves the user experience by providing easy access to related information but also helps search engines determine the topical authority of your website.

What is the Concept of Topical Authority in SEO?

When it comes to SEO, there’s always something new to learn and apply in order to improve a website’s search traffic. One of the concepts that has gained traction in recent years is topical authority. But what exactly is topical authority, and how can it contribute to the growth of a website’s search traffic?

Topical authority refers to the level of expertise and credibility a website has on a specific topic or industry. It is not a new concept per se, but it has become increasingly important in the world of SEO. In the past, search engines primarily relied on keyword matching to determine search result rankings. However, with advancements in search algorithms, search engines now prioritize content that demonstrates topical authority.

Topical authority differs in complexity for B2B, and B2C companies. Check out our guides on B2B SaaS SEO, and B2C SaaS SEO to learn more.

Is Topical Authority Established Through Internal Linking or Content Production?

To improve a website’s search traffic through topical authority, it is essential to focus on two main aspects: internal linking and content production.

Internal linking plays a crucial role in establishing topical authority. By strategically linking related pages within your website, search engines can better understand the relevance and depth of your content. This not only helps search engines understand the structure of your website but also allows users to easily navigate through relevant information.

Content production is equally important. Creating high-quality and comprehensive content on a specific topic positions your website as an authoritative source in the eyes of search engines. By consistently producing well-researched and informative content, you can establish topical authority and attract a larger audience.

Example of Website that Grew Quickly Through Topical Authority

A notable example of a website that quickly grew its traffic through topical authority is The Wirecutter. Starting as a humble tech blog, The Wirecutter focused on producing comprehensive and unbiased reviews of various products. By consistently publishing high-quality content and strategically linking related articles, they quickly gained recognition as an authoritative source for product recommendations. As a result, they experienced rapid growth, eventually being acquired by The New York Times in 2016.

In the larger scheme of SEO, marketers should not solely focus their efforts on link building. While link building is indeed an important aspect of SEO, it cannot be done in isolation. To achieve success, marketers must adopt a holistic approach that encompasses all components of SEO, including keyword research, on-page optimization, technical SEO, and of course, topical authority.

In the next section, we’ll delve deeper into the role of link building in SEO and explore its significance in relation to other SEO strategies. So, let’s jump right in! Should marketers focus their efforts on link building? Let’s find out.

Should Marketers Focus on Link Building?

Link building has long been a key focus for marketers in their SEO efforts. And with good reason – it plays a crucial role in driving organic search traffic and improving search engine rankings. But is link building the be-all and end-all of SEO? Not quite.

While link building is undeniably important, it cannot be done in isolation. To achieve success in the larger scheme of SEO, marketers need to focus on all components of search engine optimization. This means considering other crucial factors such as website structure, keyword optimization, content quality, user experience, and technical SEO. Speaking of, check out our guide to technical SEO for SaaS.

When it comes to link building, it’s essential to understand that it’s just one piece of the puzzle. It’s like adding the final touches to a masterpiece – it enhances the overall picture, but without a solid foundation and other important elements in place, it won’t have a significant impact.

According to Neil Patel, a reputable source in the field of digital marketing, link building is crucial for SEO success. In his comprehensive guide on link building, he explains that backlinks (links from other websites to yours) are a major ranking factor for search engines like Google. These backlinks not only drive direct traffic but also signal to search engines that your website is reputable and trustworthy.

However, it’s important to note that link-building is not a standalone strategy. Instead, it should be integrated into a comprehensive SEO plan that encompasses all the essential elements. By focusing on all aspects of SEO, including link building, marketers can create a strong foundation for their websites and start producing business value for their companies.

So, how can marketers use link building to generate profitable search traffic? Well, it starts with identifying high-quality websites and authoritative sources in their industry. By reaching out to these websites for guest posting opportunities or collaborations, marketers can secure valuable backlinks that drive targeted traffic to their own site. Additionally, creating and promoting exceptional content that naturally attracts organic backlinks can also be a powerful way to generate profitable search traffic.

In the next section, we’ll explore some effective strategies for incorporating link building into an overall SEO plan and maximizing its impact on business growth.

How Marketers can use Link Building to Drive Profitable, Scalable Traffic to their Website

Link building is a powerful strategy that marketers can use to generate profitable search traffic for their company. By acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable websites, marketers can boost their website’s authority and visibility, ultimately driving more organic traffic and potential customers. But how exactly can marketers use link building to start producing business value?

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that link building is not just about acquiring any backlink. It’s about acquiring high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites in your industry. These backlinks signal to search engines that your website is a reliable and trustworthy source of information, which can result in higher rankings and increased organic traffic.

So, how can marketers go about acquiring these high-quality backlinks? One effective approach is to create and promote valuable content that others in your industry would want to link to. This could be in the form of blog posts, guides, infographics, or videos that provide unique insights, actionable tips, or industry research. By consistently creating high-quality content, you can attract the attention of other website owners and encourage them to link back to your website as a reference.

Additionally, reaching out to industry influencers, bloggers, and journalists can be a valuable link building strategy. By building relationships and offering them valuable content or insights, you increase the chances of them mentioning and linking back to your website in their own content. This not only helps in generating backlinks but also exposes your brand to their audience, potentially driving more traffic and customers to your site.

Furthermore, participating in industry forums, online communities, and social media groups can also be an effective way to build relevant backlinks. By engaging in discussions and providing helpful insights or answers to questions, you can establish yourself as an authority in your field. This can lead to other members referencing and linking to your website when seeking further information or resources, driving valuable search traffic.

To maximize the effectiveness of link building, it’s important to keep track of your backlink profile. Regularly monitor the quality and relevance of your backlinks using tools like Ahrefs or Moz, and disavow any low-quality or spammy links that could potentially harm your website’s reputation. Additionally, analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles can provide valuable insights and help you identify potential link building opportunities that you may have missed.

In conclusion, link building is a crucial strategy for marketers looking to generate profitable search traffic for their company. By acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable websites, marketers can improve their website’s authority and visibility in search engine rankings, ultimately driving more organic traffic and potential customers. By creating valuable content, building relationships with industry influencers, and actively engaging in online communities, marketers can leverage link building to produce significant business value for their company. So, don’t overlook the power of link building in your marketing strategy, and start reaping the benefits today!

If you’re thinking of investing in SEO for your SaaS company, check out our framework to guide SaaS SEO budget creation, and how you can create a profitable SEO operation for your company.

If you’re looking for an actionable guide on how to go about taking action on your link-building activities, feel free to request your action plan from our team! We help companies create profitable SEO operations that are designed to provide returns for years, if not decades!