Link building has always been a bit more difficult for e-commerce stores. There used to be a system of paid links that Google has decided to shut down and now e-commerce businesses really have a hard time to gain an audience and influence this way.
However, when looking at regular websites and how they build their links, you can easily see that those techniques could be implemented in any online retail business. With a bit of tweaking and adapting, of course.
Also read: 5 ways Technology changing the eCommerce
Get your site audited before you start link building to make sure you have strong foundations and a site worth linking to, Matthew Woodward talk about the importance of this step in his guide to Ecommerce SEO.
Take a look at some of those methods and how they could improve your business.
1. Create video content
While video content certainly isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when discussing link building. It’s certainly interesting. Videos are one of the most creative ways to share information with your audience. According to study conducted by Cisco, videos will gain 80% of all consumer internet traffic by 2020.
And there are a few stances that you can take – you could provide informative content, useful content, funny, entertaining content or expert opinion within this great format.
Videos are easy to consume and people often share them on their websites and blogs but also on their social media.
2. Write comparison articles
People nowadays really don’t have that much time to compare products on their own. They also don’t have to because internet is full of this useful information. With your expert stance in your niche, you could produce as much of this interesting content as you want.
Your audience will find it useful, share it on their social media and their website as a source of information.
Read About: Technology behind plagiarism software
Andy Walsh, a Content Manager with Best Australian Writers, shares, ‘The key to creating comparisons is to have some authority within your niche. This content will then be even stronger in the reader’s eye. If you are in the mobile tech niche, you could provide comparisons between two smartphones, gadgets or similar product and so on. The possibilities here are truly endless and as such very interesting for e-commerce stores to try.’
Also read: Selecting An E-commerce Hosting Plan- 5 Things You Should Prioritize
3. Create a blog
Blog is an extremely useful tool for any e-commerce store. This is a good platform for you to share all types of content that you create and the process is quite simple.
Add another page to your store website and call it ‘blog’. Then, you are set to start posting. Your posts don’t even have to have a set theme – they could be informative or entertaining or simply an opinion on a popular event. However, you’ll be able to get more links if you create content specifically for your niche and share your expert opinion on various aspects of it like products, prices, marketing and expansion possibilities. Just make sure that you are professional and that you remove all grammar and spelling errors.
4. Host contests on your website
This is an interesting concept, mainly applied on social media platforms. However, for the best results, you may want to try it on your website as well – with some adaptation. You could ask fellow bloggers and website owners to share a personal story on their website or blog about your product or your company and link back to your site in exchange for a spot in a contest or a giveaway. These two work in a similar way – and you can implement this occasionally.
Frank Barr, Content Marketing Manager from Big Assignments, confirms, ‘Contests and giveaways are not only a good way to build links but also to raise brand awareness and promote your products. They are easy both to host and participate in and they help build a stronger, more connected community which is the ultimate goal.’.
5. Write guest postsc
Guest posting is a truly valuable tool in your link building toolbox. You can create great, informative and useful content which you will be able to share on various websites. This is an alternative – or a complementing process – to have a blog. If you are not a confident writer, there are tools like Write My Australia that can assist you.
Most websites have some instructions and forms for guest bloggers but sometimes they don’t. This is why you need to learn to pitch them and get your content – along with your links – in front of them.
6. Work with influencers
Influencers provide a wonderful connection between you and your audience. Find some great influencers from your niche and offer rewards or payment to create content for you and about you. Just make sure that you check their work with plagiarism checkers like Copyscape or Academized.
Final Thoughts
These tips and ideas are here to guide you to better marketing and SEO. It’s your choice which methods you’ll use and if you’ll use all of them or none of them. But, one thing is for sure – stores have proved time and time again that they can work.
| About the Guest Author:
Brenda Berg is a professional with over 15 years of experience in business management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Consultant and tutor for college students and entrepreneurs at Oxessays. She believes that constant learning is the only way to success. You can visit her personal blog at Letsgoandlearn.com
