Backlinks: the unsung heroes of SEO.

They’re like the quiet, reliable friend who always shows up with a bottle of wine at your party—no one talks about them much, but the party wouldn’t be the same without them.

And in this case, your website really needs them.

Backlinks are links from other websites to your website which can boost your search engine rankings, increase traffic, and, in a delightful twist, make you the cool kid in the digital neighbourhood.

So, buckle up, because here’s how to earn those coveted, high-quality backlinks with a little style (and maybe a dash of flair).

Benefits of Backlinks

Relevance: Backlinks from businesses in your field or industry are like having a stamp of approval from the popular kids in the playgound. Search engines see them as a sign that you’re not just another random website, but an integral part of a thriving ecosystem.

Local SEO Advantage: The neighbourhood just got smaller. Backlinks from local businesses will make sure you’re not just another face in the digital crowd. When people search in your area, you’ll be the first name they see.

Referral Traffic: Picture this: a potential customer browsing another site, casually clicking on your backlink, and boom, you’ve just made a new connection. It’s like the digital equivalent of making a great first impression at a party.

Credibility and Authority: The holy grail of SEO! When reputable websites link to yours, search engines and users alike think, “Oh, this business knows what it’s doing.” Instant street cred.

How to Earn Backlinks

1. Build Relationships

Collaborate: Let’s face it, teamwork makes the dream work. Reach out to businesses in your industry or local area for mutual backlinks. After all, sharing is caring.

Example: “Here’s where to shop after visiting [Business Name].” (And yes, we’re totally cool with being your digital wingman.)

Networking: Whether it’s virtual or in person, make connections. They say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know—so start knowing people.

2. Create High-Quality Content

Blog Posts: When you share valuable content, others take notice. Write insightful guides, how-to articles, or industry tips that people just can’t resist linking to.

Example: “Top 10 Tips for [Your Industry/Field]”—and yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

Infographics and Videos: People love visuals. Create eye-catching infographics or videos that others will want to share.

Example: A sleek timeline of innovations in your field. (Science fiction, eat your heart out.)

3. Co-Create Content

Collaborative Projects: Two heads are better than one, and three are even better! Team up with complementary businesses to create engaging content together.

Example: “The Best Day Trip Itinerary” featuring local attractions (because let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good day trip?).

Share Expertise: Write a joint whitepaper or case study. The more you collaborate, the more backlinks you’ll gather.

4. Participate in Events

Host or Sponsor Events: Hosting an event? You might just get a backlink from the event organisers (because, hey, you deserve it).

Attend Trade Shows or Festivals: Get listed on event websites as a participant. It’s like the business equivalent of being at the coolest party in town.

5. Write About Others

Feature Others: Be the friend who always talks about others’ achievements (in a good way, of course). Mention businesses, influencers, or experts in your content.

Example: “5 Local Vendors That Excel in [Service].” And don’t forget to let them know, because we all like a little love now and then.

Interviews: Interviewing industry leaders? Ask them to share the link. It’s the digital equivalent of a high-five.

6. Leverage Reviews and Testimonials

Write Testimonials: Praise the tools and services you love—and ask for a backlink. It’s like getting a thank-you card, but way cooler.

Encourage Feedback: Encourage clients or customers to leave reviews on other platforms. The more, the merrier.

7. Guest Blogging

Contribute Content: Offer your insights to other blogs in your niche. It’s like crashing someone else’s party—but in a super classy way.

Example: “Future Trends in [Your Industry].”

Collaborate on Articles: Co-author articles. Share the glory, share the backlinks.

8. Create Shareable Tools and Resources

Develop Tools: Build resources like calculators, checklists, or templates. When people find them useful, they’ll share them—and, of course, link to them.

Example: “Budget Planner for [Specific Use].” Because who doesn’t love a good planner?

Promote Resources: Share them far and wide—on forums, blogs, and social media. The more you promote, the more backlinks you’ll reel in.

9. List Your Business

Directories: Get listed on reputable directories. It’s like being in the phonebook—but cooler and more modern.

Examples: Yelp, TripAdvisor, or professional association websites.

Community Platforms: Join local business directories or community boards. You’ll be the talk of the town (in a good way).

10. Outreach Campaigns

Find Opportunities: Reach out to sites in your niche and suggest they link to your valuable content.

Example: “I noticed your article on [Topic]—this guide I created complements it perfectly.”

Offer Value: Make it clear how your content benefits their audience. Because everyone loves a good deal.

Best Practices for Backlinks

Stay Relevant: Backlinks are like relationships—they work best when they’re meaningful. Stick to sites related to your industry.

Prioritise Quality: Don’t chase quantity. A few high-quality backlinks will do more for your SEO than a hundred from random, irrelevant sites.

Natural Anchor Text: Avoid stuffing keywords into your backlinks. Search engines are smarter than you think.

Monitor Competitors: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to track your competitors’ backlinks. Learn from them, but don’t copy.

Be Authentic: Building genuine relationships is the way to go. Don’t be the person who’s just in it for the backlinks.

Backlink Building Tools

Ahrefs: Your go-to for analysing backlinks and spotting opportunities.

SEMrush: Identify fresh link-building prospects.

BuzzSumo: Find trending topics and create content that others will want to link to.

Google Alerts: Track mentions of your business and make sure you’re getting credit where it’s due.

If your business is listed as a Travel Gem, access your admin portal to download the backlink which you can paste in your website. The Travel Gem location is already a backlink – for free, so use it!

One last piece of advice… Never, ever, ever buy backlinks. Google Bots are incredibly smart, they will detect it and can ban you… it’s not worth it!

And there you have it kids! By following these strategies, you’ll be on your way to building a strong backlink profile, enhancing your online presence, and driving traffic that will make your competitors jealous (in a totally friendly way). Tailor these tips to your specific industry, and let the backlinks roll in!