Over the years, link builders and marketers have argued about whether manual link building is still a viable strategy.
Google’s preferences for the types of links that websites should use shift on a regular basis. A search engine’s approval of a method today may change tomorrow. However, it is becoming clear that manual backlinks are exactly what Google desires.
Despite the advancement of various automatic link building tools, manual link building appears to be here to stay – at least for the time being. It may take more time and effort than other link-building techniques.
How do you manually build a healthy backlink profile so that your site ranks higher in search engine results? This is covered in our article.
What Is Manual Link Building?
While webmasters and SEO professionals have many search engine optimization (SEO) techniques at their disposal today, link building and backlink management remain important tactics for helping any website rank higher in search results. Manual link building, in particular, is an effective strategy for increasing traffic and enhancing your brand’s reputation.
Simply put, manual link building is a collection of link building techniques carried out by humans rather than automated software. The emphasis is on quality rather than quantity in this case. Instead of sending out endless requests for links, choose quality content over spammy link building methods to build them organically.
Manual link building, when done correctly, provides a real, measurable, and consistent way to increase referral traffic. This indicates that you are in command. You have complete control over where you build links, how they are built, and who gets credit for them.
This link-building strategy takes more time and effort than others, but it is a worthwhile investment if you want your site to rank high in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Why is manual link building important?
Today, building links is more difficult than ever. However, it is not insurmountable. According to Google Spam Policies, the search giant continues to flip the coin, and link building techniques that appear Google-approved today may turn out to be spammy strategies tomorrow.
Links are still the primary driving force that can send your search traffic and ranking skyrocketing or plummeting to the 99th position. Google bears some of the “blame” in this case, but business owners, webmasters, and SEO specialists should be aware of their responsibilities.
In reality, links are one of the most crucial ranking signals. Natural link building is vital for every successful digital marketing effort, and link building and SEO work hand in hand.
Negative SEO, purchased links, toxic backlinks, link selling, link request spam, and any other “black hat” manual tactic are out. In search engine optimization, we have hit a new milestone.
Automated vs. Manual Link Building: What Should You Prefer?
You’ve probably heard of both manual and automated link building, but do you know what the differences are? Let us investigate the distinction.
Automated link building is a technique that uses software programs to automatically create links for your website. This means you have no control over where these links go or how they appear; it’s all up to the program. One advantage is that you don’t have to spend time manually creating content. However, there are some drawbacks, such as the possibility of spamming (which could result in penalties) and losing control over which sites your website appears on (due to the widespread use of bots).
Manual link building, on the other hand, necessitates your time and effort. You have complete control over who you hire building links for you and how they are built. This enables people to choose relevant sites for their site’s specific topic as well as specific keywords, making it appear natural to search engines.
The amount of work involved in this process is one disadvantage, but there are benefits as well, such as gaining more control over your online business. And our link building agency is always here to help you with that.
Why Manual Link Building is Better Than Automated
You may be unsure which link building technique is best for your business after considering the benefits and drawbacks of both. When you think about it, the solution is rather obvious.
While some businesses may attempt automated link building to speed up the link building process, the risk associated with this is simply too great and should be avoided, particularly by small businesses.
Many people use automated link building when they need to quickly build links to their site. There are many different tools and techniques available, but none of them will work if you lack patience. The best thing about manual link building is that you have complete control over every aspect of your site and know exactly what is going on.
The risk with automated link building is that these programs may occasionally link to spammy or other types of websites, which may harm your business in the long run. Beginners who don’t understand how this process works should never use this strategy.
If you want to get better results in a safe way, try out some manual link building techniques and see if they work for you!
How to Build Backlinks Manually?
When you first begin with manual link building strategies, you may find it difficult to start. Thankfully, we have compiled a list of the best manual link building techniques to get you started on the right foot.
Manual outreach link building
One of the most valuable methods for creating high-quality backlinks is manual outreach link building. It involves identifying relevant websites, crafting compelling messages, and reaching out to influencers in your industry to establish connections and secure linking opportunities. By contacting website and publication owners directly, you can lay the foundation for receiving quality backlinks.
It is important to emphasize the importance of creating quality content for publications, as this is the basis for establishing valuable partnerships. To gain more insight into creating quality content, we recommend checking out Google Content Guide, which outlines best practices for creating valuable and unique content that is more likely to be accepted by publications.
Writing reviews
Great reviews, particularly those posted on third-party websites with high domain authority, can significantly boost your reputation and establish you as an industry authority.
When potential customers see positive feedback about your company, they are more likely to purchase your product or service. Reviewers attest to your worth and expertise. Most businesses will do anything for a good five-star review. And it is here that you can add value and establish relationships.
This method of manual link building entails asking you to write product and service reviews for other companies. If you write a positive review about a company, you can request a link to your website in exchange.
This method is not only free, but it is also an excellent way to build relationships within your network and obtain a backlink in return. Who knows, perhaps your interlocutor will reciprocate your feelings, and you will be able to leave yourself a positive review about your company.
Relationships link building
Reaching out to others is the first step in building good links. The natural way to obtain quality links from reliable sources is to first establish relationships with them.
Building relationships with authoritative websites and people interested in your niche can include providing value in the form of social shares and comments, as well as remaining top of mind by linking to their content when appropriate.
If you can provide these contacts with something of value, they will be more willing to direct their audience to your site via a backlink. If you can assist them, they will be more likely to assist you in return.
Our advice is to always be polite and friendly, rather than pushy, especially if your “contact” is unwilling to include your link in their content. Building relationships can help you earn relevant backlinks in any industry.
Digital PR
Digital PR is one method for websites to establish an online reputation. Writing and distributing press releases about newsworthy events related to your company helps to raise brand awareness.
Many different types of newsworthy events exist:
- • Company milestones
- • Hosting events or public webinars
- • Inventing products or solving problems
- • Political lobbying or nonprofit support
By doing something newsworthy, you give people a reason to investigate your company further and see what else you’ve accomplished. This aids in the development of authority, natural traffic, recognition, and the acquisition of backlinks.
However, unless you start the surrounding conversation, no one will be aware of these newsworthy events. Doing something newsworthy and discussing it can be beneficial for link building.
Manual guest blogging
Guest blogging is another type of manual link building that will always work if done correctly. This strategy takes time because high-quality content must be created. However, in the long run, it provides one of the highest returns.
Guest blogging, also known as guest posting, is the practice of writing blog posts for other websites that accept content created by third parties. You may include links to your own website in this content.
Now we’re talking about authoritative guest blogging, creating quality content as part of a solid content marketing strategy, rather than just short paragraphs of text that serve no purpose other than to influence a page’s search engine rankings.
Many manual link building services offer to create content and distribute it anywhere for the sole purpose of obtaining links. When you treat guest blogging within these parameters, your strategy may be very similar to a “black hat” strategy based on link exchange or link buying.
You can use guest blogging as a safe method of manual link building to attract links if you focus on the quality of the content, write with the reader in mind, and count comments and shares on social media to measure the success of content rather than just links.
Guest blogging is always a successful strategy when used correctly. A blog post is not only a highly relevant and contextual place to link, but it also helps establish your brand as an industry thought leader or expert. It can also be used to raise your profile in your industry. Obviously, relevance to the theme of the site and its readers is required.
To identify websites that accept guest posts and have a strong link profile, you can conduct analysis of your competitor’s backlinks, thereby increasing your chances of getting published and gaining valuable backlinks.
Links from high-quality sites, such as guest blogging, can help you gain search engine trust. It’s a win-win situation: you build links for your company, and the guest blogging site remains relevant as a result of the article you publish.
Collaborations with influencers
In the age of Instagram and TikTok, your brand cannot afford not to cultivate relationships with relevant influencers.
Brands grow massive audiences by collaborating with relevant influencers. Companies pay these influencers to post their backlinks on their websites and social media.
However, there are times when influencers will post your link on their website for free. This is usually in exchange for a benefit you can provide. This could be a free product or service as a gift, or it could be a branded item.
You have the opportunity to reach a large audience if you can reach out to influencers and provide them with something of value in exchange for a backlink.
Links should be win-win
The link building process involves three parties:
- 1. your site;
- 2. your target site;
- 3. and the site’s target audience.
Your link building should benefit all parties implicated.
- • If the editor does not find the content in your backlinks useful, they will not post it on their blog.
- • If your audience does not benefit, they will not click through to learn more about you.
- • If you don’t gain anything from the links, why are you using them to build backlinks in the first place?
The ultimate goal of link building and backlinks is to increase your website’s authority in Google’s SERPs and, as a result, drive more traffic to it. The more valuable your content, the more likely it is that readers will progress through your sales funnel.
Best Practices to Create Backlinks Manually: Final Thoughts
Many argue that the introduction of automatic link building software has rendered manual link building obsolete. Manual link building, on the other hand, is critical to the long-term success of your website and should be included in your link building strategy.
Manual link building is without a doubt one of the most effective ways for websites to gain traction and grow online. More links indicate that your site is more authoritative. Higher rankings on search results pages result from greater authority.
If you’re ready to get started with manual link building but are limited by time, Mellow Promo’s Link building services can take the weight off your shoulders while you watch your site traffic grow.
We have assisted hundreds of clients in manually building links, including relationship-building through outreach and guest blogging. If you want to work with a reputable link building agency that can do proper manual link building, please visit our website and get in touch with them.
