Off-page SEO is just as important as your on-page SEO. However, some people don’t really understand what it means, and others think it is restricted to link building. Put simply, off-page SEO is a catch-all term for any indirect actions that can boost your website. These actions don’t take place on your website, but in many other locations. Link building is only one method of off-page SEO. There’s so much more that you need to know as well.
Link Building
While link building isn’t the only form of off-page SEO, it is still important. When you start link building, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, you need to consider the Domain Authority of the site you want to post your links on.
If the site has a higher DA than yours does, this can help your site rank better. You also need to be sure that the site is relevant to your business. For example, if you sell women’s shoes, links on a site for power tools won’t gain you any ranking, or traffic.
Social Bookmarking
Social bookmarking lets users store a webpage to revisit later. It’s a little different from browser bookmarking, as social bookmarking lets the user also share the content with others. A few examples would be platforms like Pinterest, Dribble, and Reddit.
It’s a useful method for off-page SEO as it creates backlinks, which can increase your web traffic. It also gives search engines another factor to look at when they decide how to rank your site. You’ll also need to be sure that your site is up to scratch to keep the new traffic on-site, so always make sure that your site is responsive, and that all text, images and logos are visible, high quality, and in the right place.
Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing may also benefit your site. Influencers have dedicated followers, who trust what they say. If an influencer within your industry recommends your product or service, you’re gaining access to potentially thousands of new customers. As well as that, you’re gaining a recommendation from someone who has gained trust, respect, and credibility within your industry.
Brand Mentions
Building a brand is another method for off-page SEO. Search engines like brands, and do seem to rank sites with strong branding better than ones without strong branding. You should regularly check analytics for mentions of your brand, your products, or your website.
Local SEO
Local SEO can and should be used for both on-page and off-page SEO. There are two things you need to do about this. The first is to make sure that your business is listed on Google My Business. Around four out of every five consumers use search engines to find information on local businesses, so it’s incredibly important that your business is listed.
The second thing you need to do is check that all your citations are accurate and listed on the sites that they need to be. A citation is any reference to your company or brand that contains your name, address, and phone number. Make sure you check sites like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and any other online directories that your business is listed in.
Customer Reviews
It can not be emphasized enough just how important customer reviews are. They may be one of the first things that a potential customer will check. They are also checked by search engines and do factor into ranking. Positive reviews give your site more credibility, and therefore, a higher ranking. There are four ways to get customer reviews.
The first, and the most important, is to offer exceptional products, services, and customer services. It can make people want to talk about your business. Another option is to offer an incentive in exchange for reviews. You could try running a contest with a prize for the most interesting review, or the best photo attached to a review. You could offer your customers a percentage off their next purchase in exchange for an honest review.
Always make sure that you ask for honest reviews, and don’t ask for positive reviews, as this can be viewed negatively.
Special thanks to Bert Diaz for this awesome post!