Buying links is not a smart SEO strategy.
Swapping links isn’t either. It’s basically the same practice.
Google has said multiple times that they don’t support these practices, and you will be penalized if found guilty.
Even large brands like J.C. Penny was caught, and their listings were dropped to from the search engine rankings.
Yet companies all over still do it. Even some unscrupulous “SEO expert’s” recommend it.
But if you’re smart, there are some shrewd ways to “buy” white hat links that could be worth a ton.
People can’t resist the get rich quick scheme. It’s fueled infomercials for decades.
People love instant gratification.
But I never recommend buying links. It’s stupid, lazy, and eventually futile.
However I was recently reading Neil Patel’s Quicksprout and was reminded of a great idea.
You can “buy” links indirectly. Most of the time you’re trading your service and expertise for a good cause.
And here are 5 ways to do it.
1. Infographics
Infographics are like viral layups. You almost can’t miss.
People love consuming and spreading infographics. So paying someone to help you design an infographic can be a great way to get links. You let people embed them into their own websites with specific code and everybody wins!
Here’s an example of a great infographic that was spread around the web. You’ll notice at the bottom, there’s an embed code with a link back to their website.
Give people something great to talk about, and they’ll spread it for you.
2. Associations
Local trade associations or large international ones are also great for links. You can write articles for them, speak or present on some topic, or just be friendly and help out where needed.
Search engines really trust associations because they (usually) exist to help others and don’t have purely financial goals.
You’re giving them expertise in exchange for recognition. Not only does that help persuade people, but it also can help your SEO plan.
3. Conventions
Conventions are a great way to network and meet others. But they can also help your SEO strategy.
If you’re speaking or moderating a panel, you’ll probably get a link back to your website. The speaking page gives a description about each Speaker, and you can let them know where to find you. And at the event, people will be talking while you’re on stage or when they meet you.
Some conventions have thousands of people, so you have the chance to be exposed to huge audiences.
4. Nonprofits & Education
Any SEO will tell you that links from .EDU sites carry serious weight. That’s because these institutions are highly trusted by search engines. And rightfully so. They’re (usually) doing work that benefits other people.
You can trade time and help them out. This can be an event or just an informal meeting. If it’s worthy enough, they’ll write about it and link back to you. You can even tell them that you’d rather them write about it than receiving any other form of compensation.
5. Strategic Advertising
Finally, strategic advertising is a great way to acquire links.
You can easily sponsor a convention, or run a job board ad for a blogger to complement a promotion. These strategies are really effective, and are usually worth the investment.
Again, the goal isn’t to buy links just for SEO purposes. You use these strategic tactics and indirectly help bolster your SEO at the same time.
What about you? Do you have any other sources of “buying” white hat links?
4 Common SEO Mistakes that Will Hurt Your Rankings this Year
Enter your name and email below to get a free on-demand video about how to fix these four common mistakes:
- Mistake #1: Relying on a “Head” Keyword Strategy
- Mistake #2: Over-Optimizing Your Pages and Posts
- Mistake #3: Acquiring Easy, Low Value & High Risk Links
- Mistake #4: Not Using a Combination of Tactics to Boost SEO
