Are you having a tought time getting your eCommerce business noticed?
With so many brands vying for attention,these days, getting your website to stand out and attract potential customers can feel like an impossible uphill battle. While there are many strategies that you can try, one often-overlooked but highly effective tactic is link outreach. But what is link outreach, and why should it matter for your eCommerce store?
In a nutshell, link outreach involves building relationships with other websites and convincing them to link back to yours. These backlinks not only drive traffic to your site but also boost your credibility and search engine rankings. However, how do you go about finding quality sites to link with, and what’s the best way to approach them?
In this post, we’ll cover what you need to know about link outreach—from identifying potential partners to crafting persuasive outreach emails. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to refine your strategy, you’ll find practical tips to help your eCommerce business grow and thrive. So, let’s get started!
So, What is Link Outreach?
First things first, what is link outreach and how can it help? Well, link outreach is all about building connections with other websites to create valuable backlinks that lead to your own site. This means reaching out to bloggers, website owners, or even influencers and persuading them to link back to your content. These backlinks serve as endorsements that signal to search engines like Google that your eCommerce site is credible and trustworthy.
For eCommerce businesses, like yours, link outreach is really important because it not only enhances your site’s SEO (or Search Engine Optimization), but it also drives direct traffic from other sites. So, when your products are linked on reputable websites, it can boost brand awareness and attract potential customers who may not have found you otherwise. Link outreach helps to build a network of connections that can significantly improve your brand’s online presence and ultimately, its bottom line.
Why Your eCommerce Business Needs Link Building
So, why do you need link building? Put simply, lnk building directly influences search engine rankings, site authority, and organic traffic. So, it’s very necessary to being seen online. This can really help with your rankings on search engine results pages. The higher you rank, the more likely your potential customers will find your products. This can mean increased organic traffic and, ultimately, more sales.
Beyond rankings, link-building can also enhance your site’s authority within your specific industry! When you get links from high-quality sites, you build a solid reputation as a credible source of information or products. This credibility helps with your SEO and also encourages users to trust and choose your brand over competitors. However, building these links has gotten more complicated recently because of Google’s recent updates.
So, what happend? Well, in May 2024, Google rolled out a new site reputation abuse policy that has made websites more cautious about linking to commercial sites. It has also made eCommerce link-building much more challenging. Many sites are now much more cautious about linking to businesses for fear of penalties. This means eCommerce brands need to be more strategic and creative in their outreach efforts.
While this policy has created new hurdles, it also presents an opportunity to focus on genuine relationship-building and crafting valuable content that earns links naturally.
How to Do eCommerce Keyword Research that will Be Effective
When it comes to keyword research for your eCommerce business, think of it as getting inside the mind of your ideal customer. You want to gain an understanding of what they’re searching for, why they’re searching for it, and how you can be the answer they’re looking for. To make your research effective, there are a few key things to consider:
1.User Intent: You need to think long and hard about what your potential customers are really looking for when they type in a search term. Are they researching, comparing products, or are they even ready to buy? By aligning your keywords with the intent behind the search, you’ll be able to target people at the right stage in their buying journey.
2. Long-Tail Keywords: These keywords are less commonly used, but they can pack a big punch. They are more specific phrases phrases, like “affordable organic baby clothes” rather than just “baby clothes.” They’re usually much less competitive than shorter keywords. This makes it easier to rank for the long-tail keywords, and they often have a higher conversion rate. This is because they target people who know exactly what they want.
3. Competitor Insights: Be sure to look at what your competitors are doing, and what’s working for them. This can reveal some great keyword opportunities you might not have thought of. Tools SEMrush can show you which keywords are driving traffic to their sites. You can take this info and spot gaps or untapped niches that you you might not have thought of initially.
4. Keyword Difficulty and Search Volume: Finding the right balance with your keywords is really improtant. High-volume keywords can bring more traffic, but they’re usually far more competitive. On the other hand, lower-volume keywords can be easier to rank for and but they bring in highly targeted traffic. So, you’ll want a mix of both to cover all your bases.
Effective keyword research is all about knowing your audience and being strategic about how you reach them. By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll be able to craft a keyword strategy that helps your content get found and resonates with potential customers.
How Do I Start a Link Building Outreach Plan for my eCommerce Business?
Starting a link-building outreach plan for your eCommerce business can seem a bit daunting at first, but if you can break it down step by step, it isn’t as bad. To start off, assess your current backlink profile. This means taking a look at who’s already linking to your site. You also need to look at the quality of those links, and make sure you identify any gaps. Knowing where you’re starting from will make it easier to set realistic goals.
Next, it’s time to research and identify potential link targets. Think about websites, blogs, or influencers that align with your brand and have an audience that would benefit from what you offer. Make sure the sites are reputable and have good domain authority, and also do some competitor research. To do this, be sure to take note of who’s linking to your competitors and see if they might be a good fit for you too.
Once you’ve identified your targets, it’s all about crafting an engaging pitch. Remember, your outreach emails should be more about building relationships than just asking for a link. Personalize your message, highlight what makes your content valuable to their audience, and don’t be afraid to show a little personality.
Last of all, you need to choose the right channels and tools to execute your marketing campaign well. Whether you’re sending emails, connecting on social media, or using outreach tools, consistency is key. Keep track of your contacts and follow-ups, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back right away. Link-building takes time, but with a solid plan and persistence, you should start to see results.
16 Link-Building Outreach Strategies That Work
So, with all of that being said, you’re probably wondering what link building outreach strategies you should try. Here are a few to consider:
1. Digital PR (Newsjacking) – Newsjacking involves capitalizing on trending news by sharing your expert take. If you can offer timely, insightful commentary, you might earn backlinks from media outlets covering the story.
2. Release Data Studies – Original data is a magnet for backlinks. Conduct a study or survey relevant to your industry and publish the findings; people love sharing fresh data, and it’s a great way to attract links. You can even reach out to reporters and tell them about your study.
3. Getting Backlinks from Supplier and Distributor Websites – If you have suppliers or distributors, reach out to see if they’d be willing to link to your website as a recommended retailer. This is an easy way to build authoritative and relevant backlinks.
4. Creating Infographics for Easy Backlink Opportunities – Infographics are highly shareable and often linked back to. By visualizing complex data or ideas, you make it so easy for other websites to share your content while crediting you as the source.
5. Finding Broken Competitor Backlinks – With this one, you need to find broken links on websites that link to your competitors. Then, reach out to those sites with a suggestion to link to your relevant content instead – it’s a win-win for both of you!
6. Guest Blogging for Backlinks – Contribute valuable content to reputable sites in your industry. You get to share your expertise and, in return, earn a backlink (or two) to your eCommerce site.
7. Capitalizing on Influencer Partnerships – Partnering with influencers can help you reach new audiences and secure backlinks from their blogs or websites. Look for influencers who are also going after your target audience. You also want to make sure they align with your brand, or it won’t work well.
8. Reaching Out to Websites for Unlinked Brand Mentions – Track where your brand is mentioned online without a link, and politely reach out to request a link back to your site. It’s a simple way to turn a mention into a backlink.
9. Decoding Niche Edit Link Building Outreach for ECommerce – Niche edits involve adding a link to existing content. To do this, you’ll want to reach out to site owners with content that aligns with your niche. Then suggest a link of your relevant content to them
10. Implementing the Skyscraper Method – Find high-ranking content, create something even better for your website. Then, reach out to sites that already link to the original piece and share your improved version. It’s all about building on what’s already successful.
11. Utilize Resource Page Link Building and Link Roundup – Many sites publish regular “link roundups” or resource pages. Search for roundups in your industry and pitch your best content for a chance to be included.
12. Featuring Subject Matter Experts – Using and highlighting experts in your content can mean natural backlinks for your website. When they share it with their audience, you benefit from exposure and potential links.
13. Creating Value-Packed Guides – Comprehensive guides are great way to do link-building. If you cover a topic thoroughly, other sites will link to it as a resource for their readers.
14. Building Affiliate Partnerships – Affiliate partnerships can lead to backlinks as affiliates promote your products. You’ll want to look for partners who have a strong online presence and can link to your site in their promotions.
15. Sharing Content on Social Media and Following Up – Sharing your content on social media boosts visibility and can attract backlinks in a creative way. Be sure to also follow up with people who engage or share your content, and explore link-building opportunities with them.
16. Try Link Reclamation – Link reclamation involves finding mentions of your content that are no longer linking to you. Once you find one, reach out to the site owners and request that they re-establish the link. It helps f you can send them the correct link since it will save them time!
Each of these strategies is a unique way to build high-quality backlinks and increase your site’s visibility. Start by choosing a few that align with your brand and give them a try!
How Do I Choose the Right Link Building Strategy?
So, how do you choose the right link building strategy? Well, it depends. The key is to focus on what aligns best with your goals and resources. Start by asking yourself a few questions as they pertain to your goals:
- Are you looking to build brand authority?
- Do you want to increase site traffic?
- Do you need to oost your rankings on Google?
The answers to these questions will help you zero in on strategies that make sense for your specific objectives. For instance, if you want quick wins, consider guest blogging or reclaiming unlinked brand mentions.
It’s also important to consider your budget, time, and team capacity. The goal is to choose strategies that are doable and sustainable in the long-run for you and your team. You also want to be able to evolve the strategy as your business grows. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust your approach as you discover what your audience likes and delivers the best results.
What are The Golden Rules of Outreach?
You’ve probably heard of the traditional Golden Rule, but have you heard of the Golden Rules of Outreatch? It turns out that following a few golden rules can set you up for success and help you build lasting relationships. Let’s talk about them more in-depth.
- First off, always think about what’s in it for them. People will rarely do something if there is nothing in it for them–especialyl when they don’t know you. When reaching out to potential link partners, frame your pitch around how your content can benefit their audience. Whether it’s valuable insights, fresh data, or engaging visuals, showing them the value of sharing your content can make a world of difference.
- Another thing to keep in mind is quality over quantity. It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, but targeting high-quality websites that align with your brand is far more effective than casting a wide net.
- Invest time in researching and connecting with sites that share your values and have engaged audiences.
- And let’s not forget: you need to have something worth sharing. This could be a compelling article, a unique infographic, or a data study. If your content isn’t engaging, no one will link to it.
- Lastly, clearly communicate your request and set specific goals for your outreach campaign. Make sure your emails are concise and to the point, outlining exactly what you’re asking for and why it matters.
By following these golden rules, you’ll not only increase your chances of securing backlinks but also foster relationships that could benefit your eCommerce business in the long run.
So, How Do I Write an Effective Outreach Email?
Writing an effective outreach email is all about striking the right balance between being professional and personable–while also being consise. You’ll want to start with a strong subject line to draw them in that also is clear about your intent. You want to pique curiosity without sounding spammy.
Once you get them to open your email, dive straight into the introduction. Reference something specific about their website or recent content that caught your eye, and let them know why you’re reaching out. This shows that you’re not just sending a generic message but genuinely interested in connecting.
As you move into the body of your email, clearly outline what you’re asking for and why it benefits them. Be sure to be concise and direc because people really appreciate when you respect their time. Also consider including a few bullet points that highlight the key benefits of your proposal. And don’t forget to end with a friendly call to action, inviting them to discuss further or check out your content.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to secure a backlink; it’s about building a relationship. So, keep your tone warm as well as approachable, and you’ll be on your way to crafting outreach emails that yield results.
The Best Way to Follow Up on Outreach Emails
Following up on outreach emails is often the key to success in your link-building efforts, but it can be a bit tricky. The important thing here is to give it some time before reaching out again—typically about a week to ten days after your initial email. This allows your contact enough time to review your request without feeling rushed. When you do follow up, keep it friendly and casual. A simple message like,
“Hey [Name],
I just wanted to check in on my previous email. I’d love to hear your thoughts!”
can work wonders. This not only shows persistence but also reminds them that you value their input.
In your follow-up, it’s also helpful to briefly recap what you initially reached out about, especially if your first email was a bit detailed. This makes it easier for them to recall the conversation and consider your request. If you have any new content or updates to share that might pique their interest, include that too!
Link building is a really important part of growing your eCommerce business. It’s also not all about getting as many backlinks as possible; it’s about building real connections with others in your industry. By following the strategies we discussed and keeping the golden rules of outreach in mind, you can create meaningful relationships that benefit everyone involved.
So, don’t hesitate to reach out, personalize those emails, and keep the conversation going! With a little persistence and the right approach, you’ll be well on your way to boosting your site’s authority and driving more traffic.
