Ultimate Guide: E-commerce Link Building Strategies

Now, let's get real for a second. You've worked your tail off to set up the perfect e-commerce website. Your products are top-notch, prices are competitive, and customer service is on point.

But wait, where’s the traffic? Ah, that elusive web traffic! It’s like the magical unicorn all e-commerce businesses and website owners dream of capturing.

Here's the good news...an effective  e-commerce link building strategy can be your secret weapon to attracting that traffic you dream of.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down the top e-commerce link building strategies. We’ll also discuss why a value-driven link building strategy is essential, decode the jargon, and highlight some backlink sins to avoid.

Ready to take notes? Grab your cup of coffee and read on!

What is E-commerce Link Building Anyway?

Alright, let's start with the basics… 

E-commerce link building is getting other websites to link back to your website. These are called e-commerce backlinks, and they’re like high-fives from other websites telling search engines that your content is worth checking out. The more high-fives (quality links) you get from reputable sites, the higher your site ranks on search engines.

But hey, not all backlinks are created equal! Quality trumps quantity. A link from a high-authority site (like a popular blog or news website) is way more valuable than a link from a random, low-traffic site... but we'll get into that later.

Why Value-Driven Strategies Matter

Imagine you’re at a party. Who do you remember? 

The person who talked about themselves non-stop or the one who genuinely listened and offered thoughtful conversation? Backlinking works the same way. To get those coveted high-authority links, your e-commerce link-building strategy has to be value-driven. It’s about offering something worthwhile to others.

By concentrating on providing value, you not only improve your chances of earning backlinks but also build stronger relationships within your industry. Remember, authenticity is key. Offer real link worthy content, and those backlinks will follow naturally.

Decoding Industry Jargon

SEO, DA, PA, anchor text... Lost yet? No worries, we'll break it down!

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Strategies to improve your sites visibility on search engines.
• DA (Domain Authority): A score that predicts how well a website will rank on search engines.
• PA (Page Authority): Similar to DA but applies to individual pages such as product pages.
• Anchor Text: The clickable text in a hyperlink.

Knowing these terms helps you understand discussions around link-building strategies better. You'll sound less like a newbie and more like a pro!

Top 8 E-commerce Link Building Strategies

Ready for the fun part? Here are eight killer link-building methods that’ll make your e-commerce site the talk of the town.

1. Guest Blogging

Guest blogging is like being invited to someone else’s party and charming everyone there. You write a post for another blog and include a link back to your site. It’s a win-win situation—you get a backlink, and the host gets fresh content.

How to Do It

• Identify blogs in your niche.
• Reach out with a pitch.
• Write an engaging post with a relevant backlink.

Andrews Advice...

Focus on quality over quantity. One post on a high-authority blog is worth more than ten posts on low-traffic sites.

How do you find blogs in your niche that accept guest posts?

Try using the search query “write for us” + [your niche] to find relevant blogs. For example, "write for us" + fashion. You can also check out industry-specific directories for guest blogging opportunities.

What should be included in a pitch when reaching out to a blog?

A good pitch should include a brief introduction of yourself and your e-commerce website, an explanation of why you're interested in writing for their blog, and a few potential topic ideas. Make sure to personalize each pitch according to the specific blog.

(Sorta how we teach you to personalize email approaches here!)

2. Resource Page Links

Resource pages are gold mines for quality links. They’re pages on other sites websites that list valuable resources for their readers. If your content provides value, you can get listed there.

How to Do It

• Find resource pages related to your niche.
• Reach out to the site owner and suggest your content as a valuable addition.

Andrews Advice...

Offer a compelling reason why your content deserves to be on their list (and stand by it)!

How do I find resource pages related to my niche?

You can use search queries such as “best resources for [your niche]” or “useful [your niche] links” to find relevant resource pages. You can also check out competitor links and see if they are listed on any resource pages.

What makes content worthy of being listed on a resource page?

Content that is informative, well-written, and provides unique insights or solutions to common problems in the industry has a higher chance of being accepted by site owners. It's important to research and understand the target audience of the resource page and tailor your content accordingly.

3. Broken Link Building

Broken link building is like being a hero who saves the day by fixing broken stuff. You find broken links on other websites and suggest your content as a replacement.

(psst… This helps their SEO efforts).

How to Do It

• Use tools like Ahrefs to find broken links.
• Reach out to the webmaster, inform them about the broken link, and propose your content as a replacement.

Andrews Advice...

Be polite and helpful in your outreach email. Nobody likes a pushy salesperson.

How do I find broken links on other websites?

You can use tools like Ahrefs, Broken Link Checker, or Dead Link Checker to scan for broken links on a website. You can also manually check for broken external links by clicking on each link and seeing if it leads to an error page.

What type of content should I suggest as a replacement for a broken link?

The best type of content to suggest is one that directly relates to the subject matter of the broken link. It should also be high-quality, informative, and well-written. 

Make sure to provide a clear explanation of why your content would be a valuable replacement for the broken link. Overall, focus on providing value and solving a problem for the website owner and their readers.

4. Check Out Connectively

If you don't know what Connectively (previously known as HARO aka Help A Reporter Out) is, it’s time to get acquainted. It's a platform connecting journalists with sources for their stories (one of them being... you guessed it- e-commerce sites). 

By signing up, you can receive requests from reporters looking for information or quotes on specific topics. If your expertise aligns with the request, boom! You've gained a valuable backlink.

How to Do It

• Sign up as a source on Connectively.
• Keep an eye out for relevant queries and respond promptly.
  
  

Andrews Advice...

Make sure your pitch is concise and highlights your expertise on the subject matter.

Can I sign up for Connectively as an e-commerce business owner?

Yes, anyone can sign up as a source on Connectively and respond to queries. Just make sure that your expertise aligns with the request and that you have valuable insights or information to contribute.

What type of requests can I expect to receive on Connectively?

You can receive requests from reporters looking for quotes, statistics, case studies, or expert opinions on various topics related to your industry. These requests could be for articles, blog posts, podcasts, or news stories. 

Keep an eye out for relevant queries and respond promptly to increase your chances of being featured, thus building links.

5. Infographics

Infographics are like visual candy that people can’t resist sharing. They're a great way to present information in an engaging and memorable format, making them perfect for link building opportunities.

How to Do It

• Create an informative and visually appealing infographic.
• Reach out to relevant websites and offer the infographic as a shareable asset.
  
  

Andrews Advice...

Make sure your infographic is well-designed and easy to read. Also, include an embed code or a direct link back to your website so that anyone who shares it can give proper credit.

How do I create an infographic?

There are many tools available online that can help you create infographics, such as Canva, Piktochart, and Venngage. These platforms offer a variety of templates and design options to make it easier for non-designers to create professional-looking infographics.

Struggling to make content? No worries- we have a team for that.

What type of information should I include in my infographic?

Your infographic should present valuable information or statistics related to your industry in an easy-to-digest format. It's important to research and fact-check the information included in your infographic to ensure its accuracy.

You can also include your brand's logo or website information to increase brand visibility and drive traffic back to your site. Overall, make sure the content is relevant and interesting to your target audience in order to increase the chances of it being shared.

6. Skyscraper Technique

This involves finding top-performing content in your niche, creating something even better, and then reaching out to those who linked to the original content.

How to Do It:

• Identify high-performing content.
• Create a more comprehensive, updated version.
• Reach out to sites linking to the original content.
  
  

Andrews Advice...

Make sure your content truly adds value. Simply rehashing won’t cut it.

How do I find top-performing content in my niche?

You can use tools like BuzzSumo, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to identify the most popular and shared content in your niche. These platforms allow you to search for keywords or specific topics and see which articles or websites have received the most engagement and backlinks.

What type of content can I create to outperform existing top-performing content?

You can create a more comprehensive and up-to-date version of the existing content, add new data or statistics, include visual aids such as infographics or videos, or present the information in a different and unique format.

The key is to provide valuable and relevant information that stands out from the original content. Make sure to also add your own insights or perspectives on the topic to make it even more valuable for readers.

7. Influencer Outreach

Influencers have clout, and getting them to link to your site can work wonders. This strategy involves building relationships with influencers in your niche.

How to Do It

• Identify influencers who align with your brand.
• Engage with them genuinely (like, comment, share their content).
• Propose a collaboration that benefits both parties.

Andrews Advice...

Personalize your outreach. Influencers get tons of generic requests. Stand out by showing you’ve done your homework.

How do I identify influencers in my niche?

You can use tools like BuzzSumo, Klout, or Followerwonk to find influential people in your industry. These platforms allow you to search for keywords and filter results based on social media following, engagement rates, and other factors.

You can also manually research top leaders and bloggers in your niche by using hashtags and participating in online communities related to your industry.

What type of collaboration can I propose to an influencer?

The type of collaboration will depend on the influencer's platform and interests. It could be a guest blog post exchange, a social media shoutout or partnership, a podcast or video interview, or even a joint webinar.

Make sure to offer something of value in return, such as promoting their brand or products to your audience in exchange for the backlink. 

Also, remember to build a genuine relationship with the influencer before pitching any collaboration ideas. This will increase your chances of them agreeing to work with you and promote your content.

8. Smart PR Campaigns

PR campaigns are a great way to get your brand out there and earn some high-quality backlinks. To do this, partner with journalists, bloggers, or influencers to create buzz around your brand.

How to Do It

• Create a newsworthy event or announcement related to your brand.
• Reach out to media outlets and influencers.
• Utilize press releases and social media platforms for maximum exposure.
  
  

Andrews Advice...

Think outside the box and be creative. A unique PR campaign can attract valuable backlinks from top-tier sites.

What type of events or announcements can I use for a PR campaign?

You can create a product launch, host an event or webinar, conduct a survey or study related to your industry, or partner with a charity organization.

These types of activities are newsworthy and can attract media attention and backlinks. Make sure to also leverage social media platforms to amplify your message and reach a larger audience.

How do I reach out to journalists and influencers for my PR campaign?

You can use tools like Connectively (HARO/ Help A Reporter Out), Muck Rack, or Gorkana to connect with journalists and media outlets. For influencers, you can use influencer marketing platforms or reach out to them directly through their social media channels or email.

Make sure to personalize your pitch and explain why your campaign would be beneficial for their audience and align with their brand. Providing exclusive content or early access can also incentivize them to cover your story and link back to your site.

Backlink Sins to Avoid

Ah, the dark side of link building… 

Certain practices can get e-commerce websites into trouble with search engines. Here are a few to steer clear of:

Buying Links

Yes, buying links is tempting. But search engines frown upon it. If caught, it can lead to penalties and tank your rankings.

Using Link Farms

Link farms are websites created solely for link building. They’re often low-quality and can hurt your site’s reputation.

Over-Optimized Anchor Text

Using the same keyword-rich anchor text across multiple backlinks can look spammy to search engines. It’s better to vary your anchor text naturally.

If You Can Remember One Thing... Remember This.

And there you have it—your ultimate guide to e-commerce link building for ecommerce. We’ve covered everything from the basics to expert tips and even the pitfalls to avoid. Effective e-commerce link building tactics can skyrocket your e-commerce website's visibility, bringing in that much-needed web traffic.

Remember, the key is to provide value and build genuine relationships within your industry. 

Quality always trumps quantity. Now, go forth and conquer the world of link building! And hey, if you need a hand, don't hesitate to reach out—we're here to help you thrive.

Interested in e-commerce SEO services? Contact our team at Bluetuskr, ane-commerce marketing agency.