If you’re reading this post, you’re probably looking to create a backlink strategy for your Shopify store.
Backlinks are an integral part of your off-page SEO strategy. But not every ecommerce store owner can get this step right. The competition in an online selling space is already high. You’re competing against ecommerce giants like Amazon and Walmart - brands that everyone knows and trusts.
That is where off-page SEO comes in. As an essential part of your off-page SEO strategy, building backlinks to your Shopify store is a critical task for every online seller who’s looking to drive organic traffic to their website from different sources.
The good news is that building quality backlinks can help you outperform ecommerce giants. Also, it decreases the amount of money and time you need to invest in your paid marketing efforts.
The bad news is that building quality backlinks isn’t quick and easy.
The most challenging task for any ecommerce store owner is figuring out how to build backlinks using White hat strategies. As a general rule, backlinks come from outside sources. Convincing website owners to naturally and legitimately link back to your website can be tricky at times.
In this post, we’ll highlight 15 super easy ways to build backlinks to your Shopify store. So without any further ado, let’s get started.
What Is A Backlink?
Simply put, a backlink is an incoming hyperlink from one website to another. There are two types of backlinks - Nofollow backlink and Dofollow backlink.
Nofollow Backlink
Nofollow links do not pass any value from one website to another. Since search engines ignore Nofollow links, they do not offer any SEO or ranking benefit to your Shopify store.
Dofollow Backlink
Dofollow backlinks are what every online seller needs to increase the visibility and ranking of their website. The links that come from credible websites hold the most value.
Links coming from unreliable sites are suspicious, and they can cause more harm than good for your website.
Here, it is critical to understand that not all backlinks are created alike. Some links are worth more than others. There are several things you can take into account to determine the value of a link:
- Links coming from high DA websites worth more than links coming from irrelevant and new websites
- Hyperlinks from unique domains worth more than websites that have linked to you before
- Keyword-rich anchor text pass more value than generic phrases and words
- The more links you have on your page, the lesser value each link will pass
Why Are Backlinks Important For Your Shopify Store?
Backlinks are essential because they tell search engines that your website is authentic and credible. The backlinks you get from external websites act as evidence that your products and services are legitimate and trust-worthy.
With backlinks, you can improve the DA and ranking of your website. Not only this but, with the correct use of backlinks, your website gets indexed faster, and you get more quality referral traffic from websites that are relevant and hold good authority.
Now that you know why backlinks are crucial for the success of your online business, it’s time to explore a few easy ways to build backlinks to your Shopify store.
15 Super Easy Ways To Build Backlinks To Your Shopify Store
1. Report Broken Links
One of the easiest ways to build backlinks is by contacting a webmaster and reporting broken links. For this, you have to spot the broken links on relevant websites and recommend replacing them with your website link.
The process begins by finding high DA and relevant websites that also contain resource pages. There are different ways you can implement to search those websites using search queries. For instance, you can write ‘your keyword+link’, 'your keywords+resources’, or keywords inurl: links to identify opportunities.
Once you get a list of websites with link opportunities, the next step is finding broken links on those pages. For this, you have to download and install Google Plugin called Check My Links.
By using this program, you’ll get different websites having 404 error pages. The next thing you should do is to connect with a webmaster. Draft a friendly email, introduce yourself, and tell them that links to some resources on their website no longer exist.
Also, suggest a few replacement links, including links back to your website.
2. Create Relevant And Engaging Content
You don’t have to worry about getting quality links if you have compelling content on your website. Why? Because others naturally want to link to sites that include premium content.
However, creating high-quality and relevant content comes with its challenges. The most challenging part is providing value consistently.
Here are a few things you should consider before you create content for your website:
- Get to know your audience first
- Create a foolproof content marketing plan
- Create content about the problems your product or service solves
- Brainstorm content ideas
- Create unique and optimized content
- Promote your content using the right content marketing tools
- Track your progress
3. Use Reddit Social Proof Method
Yes, you can use Reddit to build backlinks to your Shopify store. But before getting started, you must get yourself familiar with this platform’s content policy.
If you already know how this platform works, then let’s move forward.
- Create a value-laden piece of content
- Look for the most relevant subreddit where you can post your content (this step is critical as Redditors don’t appreciate spam)
- Create a post following your chosen subreddit’s posting guidelines
- Publish your post
- Edit your post and include the link of your content back to your website
Pro tip: This technique is only effective when you already have plenty of upvotes and comments on your post. Otherwise, your post will look spammy containing a link back to your website.
4. Have Your Products Reviewed
Another simple yet effective way to get backlinks to your website is to reach out to bloggers and ask them to review your products.
Make sure you spend some time collecting information about high-quality blogs in your niche. Try to build rapport by engaging with the posts already available on the website. The next step is to pitch them through email.
5. Take Advantage Of Guest Posting
Guest blogging not only allows ecommerce businesses to reach new audiences but also helps in building high-quality backlinks.
This method is beneficial for both parties, as it enables guest posting sites to post fresh and engaging content while you get a chance to benefit from their engaged audiences.
Here are a few pointers you should keep in mind before you pitch for a guest post:
- Always reach out to a blogger through an email
- Keep your email short and to the point (remember, guest posting is beneficial for both parties, so there is no need to offer any compensation)
- Read a few articles available on the website so that you can follow the same tone and style. Don’t forget to compliment one of those posts in your email to a blogger
- Mention that you’re looking for a guest posting opportunity. Also, highlight 2-3 article titles you’re willing to cover for that website
- Add a few relevant samples
6. Get A Link From The Manufacturer
One of the super easy ways to build backlinks to your Shopify store is to ask your vendors. There’s no rocket science involved. Simply, send an email and ask your manufacturer to add your business to their list of retailers/partners.
Since suppliers are likely to have high DA websites, the link you get from them will be of high-quality (not something like a link from Reddit or Quora, though).
Before you reach out to your supplier, make sure you have a reputable site with quality content.
7. Update And Publish Old Posts
It takes a great deal of time, money, and effort to create value-driven and engaging content. Don’t let premium content you have worked on previously go to waste. You can update and republish your old posts on websites where you can syndicate your valuable content.
Doing so will help you present your content in front of a much larger and diverse audience. Some of those websites include:
- Medium
- Business 2 Community
- Huffington Post
Many ecommerce store owners think that content syndication is forbidden and may result in penalization from search engines. But the fact is that it won’t cause any issues as the link is already there that links back to the original post.
8. Gain Valuable Backlinks Through Infographics
Infographics not only make it easier for people to understand the content, but you can also use them to build backlinks for your Shopify store. Also, website owners prefer to use infographics as they’re easily shareable and deliver great value.
The key is to create high-quality and research-based infographics that depict unique and data-driven stories for your visitors.
If you are not confident about your design skills, you can hire someone to do this job for you. Provide statistical data and a description to the designer, and you are good to go.
After creating an infographic, the next step is to distribute it. Do email outreach to connect with people who have shared infographics like yours on their social media profiles. Gather feedback on your infographics but do not ask them to link to them (as it should be their personal choice).
9. Spy On Your Competitors
If your goal is to drive organic traffic, then it’s critical to keep an eye on your competitor’s moves. Check out their social media profiles to see how they’re earning backlinks for their websites.
Also, sign up for their newsletter so that you get a timely alert when they publish a new content piece.
This strategy will help you replicate their best backlink building strategies that you can tweak and use to earn quality links for your website.
10. Promote Your Content
No matter how well-written and engaging your content is, you won’t get any SEO benefit if your target audience fails to get access to it in the first place.&
That is where content promotion comes in. Reach out to bloggers and webmasters working in your niche with some of your best posts. They may add your posts to their next weekly roundup if they find them useful.
11. Build Internal Links
Internal linking helps your visitors easily navigate your website. There are many tools available online that you can use to build internal links.
Pro tip: Experts recommend keeping internal links less than 100 per page.
12. Donate To Non-Profit Organizations
One effective yet often neglected link-building strategy is earning backlinks by donating to charities and non-profit organizations.
Find websites that do charity work in your niche and link back to the donators. Mention the amount of money you want to donate along with your website link.
13. Blog Commenting
Perhaps the easiest way to get backlinks to your website is through blog commenting. There are hundreds of relevant blogs where you can comment and share your valuable insights.
Look for blogs that offer Dofollow links. The value may be low, but something is better than nothing.
14. Interview Influencers In Your Niche
Look for authorities, including bloggers and celebrities, working in your niche and interview them. Share that post on your website and inform them that you have published their interview.
More often than not, these people share such interviews on their websites, social media profiles, and blogs, and you get a backlink from there.
15. Get In The Press
Whether it’s your local publication or a larger journalism channel, getting in the press will help you earn a backlink for your website. When your publications or interviews start showing up in local publications, you get the attention of larger journalism portals, garnering reputation and plenty of backlinks.
Here are some ecommerce link building strategies you can follow
