Off-page optimization basically comes down to how many quality links you can get back to your web PAGE (i.e., your blog post). All things being equal, the web pages with the most quantity of backlinks rank best.
- QUANTITY backlinks rank pages, are easier to get, and will help you rank for most keywords.
- QUALITY backlinks also rank pages. However, ONE Quality backlink (Page Rank +1) is more powerful than 100 PR +0 backlinks.
It’s a good idea to invest money in QUALITY backlinks rather than focusing on quantity. It’s also important to note that a VARIETY of backlinks are also important. Examples include:
- 3rd party websites
- Search engine directories
- Social media sites/networks
- Blog posts (other people’s blog posts)
- Press releases
- Online articles/article directories
- Forums
As you may know, from time to time Google changes their algorithms. This means that during one period of time, Google has preferences and places more weight on particular types of backlinks, and then after another update, they give more emphasis to other types. By always diversifying our backlinking efforts, we can survive more of Google’s updates, otherwise known as the “Google Dance”!
Another VERY important thing to note is that link IP and diversity is CRITICAL. Search engines do not count multiple backlinks to the same IP address from the same page. This is why using automated software that creates thousands of Twitter accounts for backlinks is a complete waste of time, but a mistake that many Internet marketers make.
Be wary of trying to cheat the search engines too much! Simply put, once our high-value, keyword-optimized content is produced for our blog post, our most critical activity is to get as many backlinks (quality & quantity) as possible, AND as many social rates as possible (i.e., likes, comments, share, retweets, +1’s, etc.).
Taking things up a level, let’s take a look at the following method of operation for top-notch off-page optimization:
- Bookmark links (quantity)
- Article directories (quantity)
- Blog networks (quantity/quality)
- Social media shares (quality)
- High PR links (quality)
- .edu/.gov links (quality)
- Web 2.0 links (quality)
- Linkwheels/link pyramids
Method of operation for off-page optimization: Get 1-2 backlink types then wait 48 hours. Then get another 1-2 backlink types and wait another 48 hours again. Focus on quality backlinks if your budget allows. Then, if your blog post is not ranking on page one of Google within 4-6 weeks, start backlinking from web 2.0 sites. If needed, also start backlinking from .edu and .gov sites. Monitor results and then if needed, also start getting backlinks from a link wheel. Remember that not every page is always going to rank. Be sure to create, publish, and promote, rinse and repeat.
Providing you have the right tools, and have done appropriate KEYWORD RESEARCH (which we will be covering in subsequent blog posts), then you should see approximately 50% of your pages rank well on Google. Following the aforementioned daily method of operation, let’s take a look at some of the tools we can use to help us with our off-page optimization:
- Pingler – Ping each page you create
- Onlywire
- Tribe Pro
- Social ADR
- Social Monkee
- Backlink Booster
- Fiverr.com – a very useful site to get .edu/.gov links from, as well as Linkwheels and other useful off-page optimization gigs from.
Obviously, there are a ton or more tools available, and you should invest in as many tools as you can in order to get as many BACKLINKS as possible for your off-page optimization, but the above list is a good amount to start with. In fact, in the beginning, if you upgrade to ambassador member level with Social Monkee, they have a fantastic social sharing center there, connected with Onlywire. So things like TribePro and Social ADR can be additional purchases to Pingler, Onlywire, Social Monkee, and backlink booster if you have the budget.
Remember, once you get to grips with the process of off-page optimization, you simply map out the marketing strategy, and eventually hire an outsourcer to execute the strategy for you… You don’t need to spend all of your time doing dry, boring tasks like off-page optimization (unless you really enjoy it!), when you can hire an outsourcer to follow the plan for you. Granted, in the beginning phases of your business, you might want to do it yourself, but eventually when you start generating revenue, you want to get outsourcers to manage the systems you have created.
Keep in mind that SEO is a long-term strategy that takes time and commitment. Rome wasn’t built in a day; rather, it was built daily, day in, day out, regardless of whether they felt like it or could be bothered or not! The same mentality should be applied to your blogging and SEO strategies… Keep an eye out for search engine activity and patterns, and continually measure and review your results to see what’s working for you. Keep a notepad file for each page you create, per key phrase, listing all your URL’s. Also, after publishing your blog post, try to post your content into at least 2 more places. If you post your content into multiple places, you have the chance of even ranking for 3-4 of them on the search engine results pages.
Thanks for visiting.
I appreciate you stopping by.
Kind regards,
~ Nomadic Danny
Podcast: NomadicDannyPodcast.com