Implementing backlinks into your automotive ecommerce website is an important aspect of improving search engine optimization and boosting your site’s relevancy. The more high-quality backlinks your website has, the higher it ranks on search engines, making it easier for users to find you and purchase more parts.

When done correctly, backlinks deliver a steady stream of traffic that can quickly convert to sales.  Learning how to successfully use backlinks, however, can be a daunting task, but you can apply a few methods that can work for you.

What Are Backlinks, Exactly?

In simple terms, a backlink occurs when one website mentions another website by linking to it in the content.  Backlinks aren’t simply references to other websites; they’re clickable links within the text itself.  Backlinks are also referred to as links, incoming links, hyperlinks, or inbound links, but the concept is the same regardless of the term.

Basically, backlinks on your automotive ecommerce blog may direct readers to a product brand’s website, enhancing your own content and making the blog post more relevant to your audience.

Search engines such as Google rely on backlinks for several reasons.  Think of the internet as a vast web of websites connected by links.  These links add context and inform the search engines, which “crawl” through the internet, that additional pages exist through those backlinks.  If you start a new website and fail to add backlinks, don’t submit the site to Google, and have no other source linking to your site, users will have almost no way to discover your content.

With backlinks, search engine spiders crawl through backlinks where they can discover your site, allowing them to index it and make it searchable.  Without them, no one using the internet will know that your content exists. Now you can see why backlinks are so essential.

Understand Search Engine Algorithms

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of naturally directing traffic to your site from search engines such as Google.  SEO increases the quality and quantity of traffic through organic search results, and while SEO can take many forms, backlinks are an important aspect.

Google has long been the search engine king, so you’ll often come across information on SEO’s impact on Google’s algorithms.  Google’s website ranking algorithm is always changing, but generally speaking, the more high-quality backlinks you have on your automotive e-commerce website, the higher it will rank on searches for targeted keywords.  The highest-ranking sites will show up on the first search results page where it’s easier for users to click on your homepage.

Unfortunately, Google’s algorithms are complex and ever-evolving, making it difficult for business owners to keep up without expert help.  For example, you may think adding a link to a colleague’s marketing blog is beneficial to your automotive e-commerce website when, in reality, it may not help your site rank any higher.  Links must be relevant and from authoritative sources to make a significant impact.

253538_DuplicateContent_070518Use Targeted Link-Building Strategies for E-Commerce Sites

When building links on your website, you’ll want to approach the task using multiple strategies.

Size Up the Competition

Your first link-building strategy should be checking out the competition.  Known as a competitor backlink analysis, reviewing the competition allows you see how well competing websites are performing in your industry, determine what makes others rank well, and identify how to emulate successful strategies to help your site earn backlinks.

Note how your competitors rank in search engine results.  You can use the Google AdWords Keyword Planner to determine which keywords are helping them rank better.  Using additional tools and software focused on backlinks is also beneficial for leveraging a competitor’s backlink strategy.

Connect With Consumer Review Sites and Influencers

Automotive industry bloggers, consumer reviewers, and social influencers are top sources you need to attract.  Your audience reads blogs and review sites to help determine which products to explore, and social media influencers generate buzz around a product, which can lead to more purchases, mentions, and reviews.  Regardless of the format, whether in print or video, social media and blogs or vlogs generate referral traffic and boost a brand’s reputation.

Once you’ve clearly defined your audience, reach out to reviewers, bloggers, and influencers who share the same audience.  Connect with automotive influencers, such as bloggers who review aftermarket parts or car accessories.  For example, you may provide a free product to a social media influencer in exchange for a review and backlinks to your site. Be sure, however, to follow FTC disclosure guidelines for social media endorsements.

Consider Guest Blogging

Publishing high-quality content on other websites helps your website gain more exposure. When you guest blog for someone else in the industry, you can earn backlinks and attract a wider audience, especially if you’re submitting content to a well-established site.

Finding guest blogging opportunities, however, can be tricky. Start by searching a relevant keyword with the phrase “guest post” or “become a contributor.” Focus on niche-relevant guest posts that are beneficial to both you and the website to which you are submitting an article.

Ask for and Provide Testimonials

Product or service testimonials are another effective method of earning backlinks in the automotive e-commerce industry. You can request testimonials from your own clients using your business mailing list or by adding an optional review process at the end of each transaction. If you’re a loyal customer of a relevant product or service, you can also contact the company offering a testimonial in exchange for a backlink on its website.

Build Internal Links

One of the easiest link-building strategies for your e-commerce business is building internal links, such as displaying relevant products on each product page. This strategy is time-consuming, but the effort pays off by increasing e-commerce metrics and enhancing SEO throughout the site. Essentially, internal linking is a straightforward way of having visitors stay and explore further into your website.

Consider adding a blog to your e-commerce site to create posts designed to recommend products, highlight staff favorites, or link to top-selling items.

Link building is a continual process for any e-commerce business. Once you have a strategy in place, however, you’ll start to see increased exposure and sales, making your site one of the more authoritative places on the internet.

Are you still not sure about backlinks?  Do you need a comprehensive backlink building strategy?  Contact Cellacore today at 813-775-4109 to understand more.  Contact us for a no obligation marketing strategy review of your website and online marketing efforts.  Call 813-775-4109 today!