Backlinks are incoming links to a website or a webpage. They are also commonly referred to as incoming links, inbound links, inlinks and inward links.

Why are backlinks so important?

Backlinks are the most important factor for determining a website’s search engine ranking. The number of backlinks is an indication of popularity – the links themselves are synonymous to votes. The website with the most votes is the most important, and these websites rank higher on organic search queries in Google, Yahoo!, Bing and other search engines.

The backlinks themselves must meet several criteria. The links must be placed on relevant pages that hold a good search engine rank. Also, search engines do not just care about the number of backlinks, but how these links were achieved. If a website builds too many backlinks within a month, for example because they used a backlink purchasing service, then the search engine may discredit these links and the importance of the website because the backlinks were not created organically.

For these reasons, the quality of backlinks is more important than the quantity of links.

One of the best strategies to achieve more backlinks is a geometric link building strategy that requires a website to gradually build backlinks over time. Listed below are the top ten ways to attain more backlinks in order to improve the website’s overall page rank and SEO.

1. Website Directories

Submit company information and website URL to online directories. These sites typically offer two options: users can submit basic information for free, or create an enhanced listing for a low monthly or annual cost.

2. RSS Directories

Submit feeds to company blogs and websites to RSS (Really Simple Syndication) directories for free or at a cost. Directory visitors can explore blogs and articles in specific industries and niches.

3. Press Release Distribution Sites

Submit news articles and press releases to free and/or paid news distribution websites. Depending on the website, services can include distributing articles to every major news site and search engine on the web, and giving detailed analytics of the press release.

4. Article Marketing /Article Directory Sites

Post articles and other content to these sites for more exposure, credibility and targeted traffic. A membership is typically required (for free or at a price).

5. Build Company Blog

Create a company blog (if it does not exist already) and create more content and posts. This will increase the probability of the articles being reiterated. Also, notable individuals could be interviewed in order to build readership.

6. Blog/Forum Commenting

Comment on blogs and forums that are relevant to a niche and have good page rank. Add a backlink in the signature line. Make sure that the website allows URL posting in the comments.

7. Guest Blogging

Offer to write free content for a website that is relevant to industry. In exchange, add a backlink in the byline of the article.

8. Social Bookmarking Sites

Utilize bookmarks that reference and share online resources on social media and other bookmarking sites. These communities allow people to discover and share content relevant to their interests.

9. Testimonials

Write testimonials for clients, suppliers and other collaborators and ask them to post it to their websites.

10. Joint Ventures/Partnerships

Ask friends, acquaintances, partners and the like to post the backlink URL to their webpage. Be sure to offer to reciprocate the favor.

Collectively, these ten recommendations will create an efficient and effective backlink building strategy. It is important to differentiate the links; use deep links that navigate to other pages on the website apart from the homepage. The most important takeaway concept is that quality beats quantity. Create backlinks that are relevant to an industry or niche. In the long-term this will boost search engine page rank.