Ready to take your Shopify store to the next level? Harness the power of backlinks to climb the Google rankings. They're like endorsements from other websites, signaling to Google that your site is reliable and valuable. With them, you can confidently compete for the top spots in search results.

What are Backlinks?

Backlinks are links from other websites to your website. Think of them as recommendations. The more quality backlinks you have, the better your site's authority. This leads to more organic traffic, resulting in increased revenue for your business.

Key Factors for Building Backlinks

Not all backlinks are created equal. Here are the most important factors to consider:

Relevance

Relevance is the most critical factor. A backlink from a site in your industry is far more valuable than a random link from an unrelated site.

• Example: If you sell fitness equipment, get backlinks from fitness, health, or running websites.

Google uses relevance to determine the quality of a link. The closer the linking site is to your niche, the more trust Google gives the link.

Authority

Links from well-known, trustworthy sites have more power than those from new or low-quality sites. You can measure a site's authority using tools that provide metrics like:

• Domain Authority (DA)

• Domain Rating (DR)

• Authority Score

Note: These metrics can be manipulated, so consider other factors such as organic traffic, domain age, and the quality of the site's backlinks. Aim for a mix of relevant and authoritative links to demonstrate to Google that you're a valuable resource.

Anchor Text

Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. It helps search engines understand the context of the link. Use different types of anchor text:

• Exact Match: (e.g., "fitness equipment") - Use sparingly.

• Partial Match: (e.g., "equipment for home gyms") - Use in moderation.

• Branded: (e.g., "Fit Gear Store") - Use frequently.

• Generic: (e.g., "click here," "read more") - Use rarely for paid links.

• Naked URL: (e.g., "fitgearstore.com") - Use occasionally.

Don't overuse exact match anchors. Google may penalize you. Instead, use a mix of anchor texts to maintain a natural flow of information. Also, ensure that the text surrounding the anchor is relevant to the link.

Placement

The placement of a link on a page affects its value. Aim for links in the main content of a page, rather than in the sidebar, footer, or comments.

Here's a ranking of link placements from best to worst:

1. In the main content, near the top of the page

2. In a resource list or recommended links section

3. Sidebar

4. Footer

5. Comment section

Focus on getting in-content links whenever possible.

Diversity

A diverse backlink profile is essential. Consider:

• Types of sites: Don't just get links from fitness blogs. Look for fitness news sites or directories.

• Authority levels: Mix high- and low-authority links.

• Anchor text: Vary your anchor text.

• Link attributes: Aim for mostly "do follow" links, but don't ignore "no follow" links from high-quality sites.

Which Pages Should Get Backlinks?

With many pages on your Shopify store, deciding where to build backlinks can be tough. Focus on these:

• Homepage: About 50% of your backlinks

• Collection Pages: About 25% of your backlinks

• Top-Performing Blog Posts: About 25% of your backlinks

Avoid building backlinks directly to product pages. Google sees these links as unnatural.

To determine the number of links needed, conduct a link gap analysis. Examine your competitors to determine the number of domains that link to them. Then, estimate the cost and number of viable links.

Types of Backlinks

Here are a few types of backlinks you can build:

• Guest Posts: Write content for another website in exchange for a link.

• Link Insertions: Identify relevant pages with existing content and request that they add your link.

• Skyscraper Technique: Create high-value content to attract links.

• Unlinked Mentions: Identify mentions of your brand without a link and request that they add one.

Budgeting for Backlinks

Link building isn't cheap. High-quality backlinks can cost $100 to $400 per link. Avoid cheap links from places like Fiverr. They're often of low quality.

Aim to build at least 5 to 10 backlinks each month. This could cost $500 to $4,000 per month. Remember, negotiation is key. Don't be afraid to discuss prices. This savvy approach can help you maximize the value of your backlink budget.

Finding Quality Backlinks

The most effective way to acquire high-quality backlinks is through PR link building. You can:

• Latch onto trending topics

• Create data-driven studies

• Offer expert commentary

Send this information to journalists who cover these topics.

Other options for finding backlinks:

• Guest posting and link insertion platforms: Check out sites like Serpzilla.

• Cold email outreach: Contact websites directly to ask for a link.

Take Action Today!

Backlinks are key to Shopify SEO success in 2024. Start building high-quality backlinks today to boost your website's authority, traffic, and revenue.