Effective Link Building Strategies for Affiliate Sites

Building links to affiliate sites can feel like climbing a mountain without a map. But with the right strategies, you can navigate the terrain and reach your destination of higher rankings and increased revenue.

Link building is a crucial aspect of SEO, especially for affiliate sites. When other websites link to your pages, it not only boosts your Google rankings but also drives referral traffic, ultimately leading to more sales. However, the challenge lies in what you can offer these sites in return. In this post, we’ll explore effective link building strategies that can help you acquire backlinks without spending a dime.

Get Inspiration from Competitors' Most Linked-To Pages

Have you ever wondered what makes certain pages irresistible to link to? One effective strategy is to analyze your competitors' most linked-to pages. Typically, these pages are not overtly commercial; instead, they provide valuable content that others want to reference.

To start, identify a leading affiliate site in your niche. For instance, if you’re in personal finance, you might look at NerdWallet. Use a tool like Ahrefs to explore their most linked-to pages. You’ll likely find how-to guides, data studies, or free tools that attract backlinks.

Once you identify these pages, your next step is to reach out to the sites linking to them. Analyze their link profiles to find “linkable points” and see if you can create content that improves upon these topics. This approach not only helps you gain backlinks but also enhances the authority of your own site.

Run Google Ads for the "Vicious Cycle of SEO" Queries

Did you know that high-ranking pages often attract even more links simply because they rank well? This phenomenon is known as the "vicious cycle of SEO." By running Google Ads for specific queries, you can tap into this cycle.

To find these queries, use a keyword research tool like Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer. Enter broad terms related to your niche and filter for words like “stats” or “facts.” This will help you discover topics that are likely to attract backlinks.

Once you identify potential topics, analyze their link profiles. Look for pages that consistently earn new referring domains and have high organic traffic. If you find a promising topic, consider running ads to it. For example, if you ran ads for an SEO stats page and received 22 referring domains from 1,664 clicks, that’s a solid conversion rate worth pursuing.

Do Guest Posting

Guest posting is a tried-and-true method for building links and expanding your audience. By publishing content on other sites, you can include links back to your own pages, gaining valuable backlinks in the process.

To find guest posting opportunities, use Ahrefs' Content Explorer. Search for relevant keywords in your niche and filter for sites with a Domain Rating between 30 and 60. This will help you find sites that are authoritative yet accessible.

Once you have a list of potential sites, prioritize those with multiple authors, as they are more likely to accept guest posts. Craft a compelling pitch that highlights how your content can add value to their audience.

Create Link-Bait Data Studies with Strategic Partners

Data studies are a powerful way to attract backlinks. However, if you don’t have access to significant data, consider partnering with others in your industry who do.

Start by brainstorming unique study ideas that haven’t been explored yet. For example, a study on how parents trust Google for medical advice could be intriguing. Once you have your idea, reach out to industry leaders who can help you collect data through surveys.

After conducting your study, promote it through your partners’ networks. This not only amplifies your reach but also increases the chances of earning backlinks from those who contributed to the study.

Use HARO to Power Your Homepage

Have you heard of HARO (Help a Reporter Out)? It’s a fantastic resource for gaining backlinks from authoritative sites. By signing up as a source, you can respond to journalists’ queries and potentially earn links back to your site.

While most links will point to your homepage, this strategy helps create a healthy link profile. It’s a great way to build brand awareness and funnel PageRank to your money pages.

Conclusion

• Create content that’s significantly better than your competitors to make outreach easier and more effective.

Link building for affiliate sites may seem daunting, but with these strategies, you can effectively increase your backlinks and improve your SEO. Which strategy will you try first? Share your thoughts in the comments!