E-commerce link building is an essential step that separates average online stores from high-performing ones. Or to put it another way, it’s a move that gives you a bigger stake in one $6.3 trillion industry than your competitors.
So what if you sell great products? People can’t buy them if they can’t find them.
Link building is the secret to moving up in search results and reaching customers who are ready to buy.
And no, you don’t have to wait for links to come to you.
Ecommerce store owners can be strategic about link building and reap SEO benefits and increased sales. pronto.
Here’s why link building is important for online store owners and how to build links that generate sales.
Types of links important for eCommerce
Links refer to clickable text that, when clicked, takes you to another web page. Ideally, these links will direct visitors to your product pages, your blog, or your loyalty program – anything to either make a sale or keep the conversation going.
There are two types of links: External links And internal links.
External links come from third-party sources. Search algorithms love external links because they represent quality. (Usually.) It shows that other people find your content valuable, so search engines reward you with higher rankings.
Internal links link your own content to other own content. For example, you could link a blog article to a product page. These links provide search engines with more context about your content so they can rank you accordingly.
Both types of links are crucial for SEO.
But more links are not always better.
It’s also about the question between high-quality and low-quality links.
Here is the difference:
| High quality links… | Low quality links… |
| They come from reputable, non-spammy websites | They come from websites with low domain authority and/or high spam ratings |
| Use appropriate anchor text | Use generic anchor text, e.g. B. “Click here” |
| Link to contextually relevant content | Randomly inserts products into content without contextual relevance |
Let’s say you sell computer accessories. Ideally, your backlinks will come from computer-related websites since their readers are most likely people who love and use computer equipment.
You also want the links to use relevant anchor text to help search engines associate the link with your products. This could be a general text like “Mouse pads” to link to a product category.
Or “Nvidia RTX 4090 graphics card” to link to a specific product.
When you master the basics of eCommerce link building, you can take control of who links to you, how they link to you, and the quality of those links.
4 Powerful Link Building Strategies for Ecommerce
Now that you know more about the role of link building in eCommerce, let’s look at six proven strategies for getting high-quality links that increase sales.
1. Create high-quality, shareable content
How-to guides, tutorials, video product demos, and product reviews and comparisons provide customers with valuable information that they are actively searching for (hello, search engine gold!).
Other websites also consider this type of content worthy of linking, especially if it is thorough, well-written, and visually appealing.
This content resides on your eCommerce website’s blog. Use this content as the basis for our next strategy.
2. Build relationships to build links
Organic backlinks aren’t unicorns, but they can be difficult to get. Instead of waiting, reach out to other websites, blogs, or even your suppliers to see if they’re willing to link to your content.
That is Relationship-based link buildingthe new and improved (and with a lemon scent) Way to build backlinks.
It trades cold outreach for warm requests, and you’re more likely to get what you want (with a little chit-chat).
This is how it works:
- Create a shortlist of highly ranked websites in your niche Domain Authority and low spam score.
- Get the name and email address of the person you want to contact.
- Connect with them on LinkedIn and Twitter to nurture the relationship.
- Ask and you will (hopefully) receive!
Bonus points if you have an article in mind that you would like to be included in AND
Show them where they can insert the link naturally AND
Give them the link and anchor text you want them to use.
(Basically do everything for them except adding the link.)
It’s a long game, but it can pay off tremendously.
3. Use online directories and business listings
Business directories and local quotes put your company on the digital map.
Think Google Business, the LinkedIn company page, or your local chamber of commerce.
These directories provide a home for your company information such as your name, phone number, and website.
Or as we like to call it: free links!
Listing your business in relevant directories is quick and easy. You can list your business in directories individually or hire a citation service to do it for you.
4. Outsource your eCommerce link building
If you don’t have the time, skills or knowledge to do something, there is someone else who will. This applies to both plumbing and link building.
Enlist the help of a Reach when inserting links Service with experience in e-commerce. Leverage their network of relationships, professional tools, and time invested in perfecting the process.
You’re sure to get high-quality links from reputable sources and won’t have to fight through a barrage of rejections.
Your competitors may call it a scam.
We call it working smarter, not working harder.
Begin your journey to link building success
It’s clear that link building for e-commerce is not a fruitless tactic, but a cornerstone of success. The right links will give you free visibility, free traffic, and an SEO boost that will put you miles higher than your competitors (especially those who haven’t yet realized the value of backlinks).
New to link building (or just don’t have the time)? Checkout Hoth Link Outreach This takes the hard work away from you.