Struggling to Build Backlinks? Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong

Struggling to build backlinks? Learn what you’re doing wrong and how to fix it. Discover actionable tips, stats, and the best practices for using top article submission sites and free article submission platforms to boost your SEO.

Struggling to Build Backlinks? Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong

Imagine two small business owners, Sarah and James. Both started blogs about healthy living. Sarah poured her heart into creating high-quality content, only to find her website buried on page 10 of Google search results. James, on the other hand, quickly climbed to page 1 and started seeing thousands of visitors each month. What made the difference? Backlinks.

Sarah couldn’t figure out why her efforts weren’t paying off. She spent hours submitting articles to free article submission sites and guest posting but got little traction. James, however, leveraged strategic backlink-building techniques using top article submission sites and a well-planned outreach strategy.

If you relate to Sarah’s struggle, don’t worry. You’re not alone. In this blog, we’ll unravel the common mistakes people make when building backlinks and how to fix them to improve your SEO and drive more traffic to your site.

Why Backlinks Are Crucial

Backlinks are the backbone of SEO. They signal search engines that your content is valuable and credible. According to Ahrefs, 91% of all web pages get zero traffic from Google, often because they lack backlinks. The more high-quality backlinks your site has, the higher its chances of ranking well on search engines.

Common Mistakes When Building Backlinks (And How to Avoid Them)

1. Focusing on Quantity Over Quality

It’s tempting to aim for as many backlinks as possible, but not all backlinks are created equal. A backlink from a high-authority site like Forbes is far more valuable than ten links from low-quality blogs.

What You’re Doing Wrong:

  • Submitting to spammy free article submission sites with no domain authority.

  • Ignoring relevance and targeting random websites.

Fix It:

  • Use top article submission sites like Medium or HubPages.

  • Prioritize backlinks from websites relevant to your niche.

  • Check a site's Domain Authority (DA) using tools like Moz or Ahrefs before submitting content.

???? Stat to Consider: Sites with a DA above 50 are 5x more likely to pass valuable link equity to your website. (Source: Moz)

2. Using Generic Anchor Text

Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. Using generic phrases like "click here" or "read more" wastes an opportunity to improve your SEO.

What You’re Doing Wrong:

  • Over-optimizing with exact-match keywords.

  • Using vague or irrelevant anchor text.

Fix It:

  • Balance branded, exact-match, and generic anchor text.

  • Use descriptive and relevant phrases like “top article submission sites” for linking.

???? Pro Tip: Anchor text diversity makes your backlink profile look natural and helps avoid penalties from Google.

3. Neglecting Content Quality

Even the best outreach strategy won’t work if your content isn’t worth linking to. Poorly written or unoriginal content doesn’t attract backlinks.

What You’re Doing Wrong:

  • Publishing thin, low-value content.

  • Not optimizing articles for SEO.

Fix It:

  • Create in-depth, well-researched content that solves problems for your audience.

  • Use data and statistics to enhance credibility.

???? Stat to Consider: Long-form content generates 77% more backlinks than short articles. (Source: Backlinko)

How to Build High-Quality Backlinks the Right Way

1. Leverage Article Submission Sites

Submitting articles to reputable platforms can significantly boost your backlink profile.

  • Use top article submission sites like EzineArticles, LinkedIn Pulse, and Outbrain.

  • Optimize your submissions with keywords like "free article submission" to maximize visibility.

  • Avoid submitting duplicate content.

???? Stat to Consider: Articles published on high-authority platforms can generate up to 30% more traffic to your site. (Source: Search Engine Journal)

2. Guest Blogging

Guest blogging allows you to tap into established audiences and earn high-quality backlinks.

  • Target blogs within your niche.

  • Pitch unique, value-packed topics.

  • Include a link to your site in the author bio or within the content (if allowed).

3. Create Link-Worthy Content

Content that naturally attracts backlinks is often referred to as "link bait."

  • Publish original research or data.

  • Create visually appealing infographics.

  • Write ultimate guides or tutorials.

???? Stat to Consider: Infographics generate 37.5% more backlinks than traditional blog posts. (Source: Venngage)

4. Outreach to High-Authority Sites

Personalized outreach can help you secure backlinks from reputable sites.

  • Research potential link partners.

  • Craft personalized emails that explain why your content is valuable to their audience.

  • Follow up if you don’t get a response within a week.

5. Utilize Social Media and Forums

Social media platforms and forums like Reddit and Quora can amplify your reach.

  • Share your content on LinkedIn, Twitter, and niche-specific groups.

  • Answer questions and include links to your site when relevant.

???? Pro Tip: Don’t spam forums with links; always prioritize value.

Tools to Simplify Backlink Building

Here are some tools to streamline your backlink-building efforts:

  • Ahrefs: For competitor analysis and backlink opportunities.

  • Moz: To check Domain Authority.

  • BuzzSumo: To find trending topics for link-worthy content.

  • SEMrush: For tracking your backlink profile.

  • Canva: To create visually appealing infographics.

Real-Life Success Story: From Zero to Hero

A small e-commerce store selling handmade jewelry struggled to gain online visibility. After submitting content to top article submission sites and focusing on quality over quantity, their traffic increased by 200% within six months. They also leveraged guest blogging and social media to amplify their reach.

Final Thoughts

Building backlinks is both an art and a science. Avoid the common pitfalls of focusing on quantity over quality, using generic anchor text, and neglecting content quality. Instead, leverage top article submission sites, create link-worthy content, and use strategic outreach to earn high-quality backlinks.

Remember, backlinks are about building relationships and credibility. With the right approach, you can climb search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your site.

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow