(This post was originally featured on Holistic & Co's blog here)

If you’ve spent any amount of time building your web presence then you should already know: that your truthful expression can only resonate if others are there to receive it.

So how do we go about making sure your audience is both large and with high enough engagement that they're receptive to the inherent trust and authority of your content?

The answer is Backlinks. 

But what are they and how can they benefit you? Let’s use an analogy!

Think of yourself as the owner and operator of a hair salon. Backlinks are akin to the recommendations that bring new patrons through the door. Just as a salon relies on word-of-mouth to invite a flow of clientele, websites depend on quality backlinks to signal their value and relevance in the digital marketplace. 

Consider each backlink a glowing testimonial from a satisfied customer, each one broadcasting your site's expertise and service quality across the web. 

As these endorsements accumulate, so does the salon's reputation, drawing the attention of both new clients and seasoned stylists looking for the best place to ply their trade.

The pursuit of building a network of backlinks parallels assembling a top-tier salon team. Each stylist, colorist, and technician brings a unique flair, contributing to the salon's collective reputation. In SEO terms, diverse and high-quality backlinks from various reputable domains act as specialists in their field, each adding to the authority of your website. 

This multifaceted crew works in concert to craft a customer experience that's compelling enough to be shared far and wide, mirroring the holistic SEO strategy that positions your digital presence at the forefront of the industry.

(If interested in other strategies like how to make sure your site abides by Google's guidelines for solution-first content then read our article here)

Backlinks help your website:

- Get more authority
- Drive more traffic
- Attract more leads
- Create new revenue

I know bc I've been building them for 10+ years.

And my friend, Fery Kaszoni, does it w/ Digital PR.

Read his top Digital PR tips for backlinks: 🧵

— Connor Gillivan (@ConnorGillivan) April 10, 2024

Crafting the Perfect Backlink Strategy for SEO Success

Just as a salon is composed of various roles—from the receptionist who greets you, to the master stylist and colorist, down to the apprentice sweeping up the clippings—each role in SEO holds significant weight. The backlink from a reputable source is the experienced stylist, the master of their craft, giving your site a cut above the rest.

The internal links are the apprentices, guiding the customer through the journey of the salon, ensuring they find the service they need.

Technical SEO is the backbone of the operation, the salon's infrastructure, which must be expertly managed for the smooth operation that allows the stylists—the content and backlinks—to shine.

Here are some modest steps you can take to improve your backlink strategy:

• Curate Collaborative Content Creations: Engage with influencers and authoritative figures within your niche to co-create content. This collaboration is akin to inviting a celebrity hairstylist for a guest appearance at your salon. Their endorsement not only brings their followers to your doorstep but also signals to search engines that your content is valued by respected names, akin to quality backlinks from reputable domains.
• Leverage the Power of Testimonials: Offer your expertise to other businesses and request to leave a testimonial on their site with a link back to your own, similar to a salon displaying thank-you notes from satisfied clients in a prominent place. These are natural, genuine backlinks that enhance credibility and direct traffic from businesses you have a real relationship with.
• Host Virtual Events or Webinars: Organize online events that provide valuable information or training related to your niche. It’s like hosting a masterclass in your salon on the latest hair coloring techniques. Promoting these events and getting other sites to link to the event page not only builds backlinks but also positions your site as a hub of valuable, shareable content.
• Refresh Old Content: Update your most popular blog posts or pages with new information, research, and resources, then reach out to sites that linked to the original content to let them know about the update. This is akin to renovating your salon to offer new services or styles, encouraging old patrons to visit again and bring new friends.
• Participate in Community Forums and Discussions: Be active in online forums and discussions related to your niche by providing insightful answers and where relevant, linking back to your content for further reading. Think of this as networking at industry events, where you share your expertise and casually mention your salon, enticing people to check it out for themselves.

Backlinks Aren't Just Stylish -- It's Quantifiably Effective

A robust backlink profile, rich with endorsements from authoritative domains, doesn't just draw visitors—it captivates an audience. Ahrefs' research revealed that approximately 91% of web pages lacking backlinks from other domains fail to garner any organic search engine traffic.

Your content doesn't just reach more eyes; it speaks to hearts, with every link solidifying your reputation as a trusted, go-to source.

Now, envision a palette of SEO strategies that are as diverse as the services offered in a full-service salon. By enhancing your backlink strategy, you're not just filling chairs—you're building a loyal clientele. Imagine increasing your site's authority so that Google boosts your SERP ranking by up to 6.17%, while simultaneously watching your cost-per-lead plummet by 3.42%, thanks to the compounding effect of SEO on your ad efforts.

It's not just about being seen; it's about being recognized as the premier destination in a sea of options.

With Holistic & Co., this vision is not just a pipe dream—it's your next reality.

Stepping Out of The Salon and Into Impactful Authenticity

A robust backlink profile, rich with endorsements from authoritative domains, doesn't just draw visitors—it captivates an audience. An Ahrefs study shows that sites with a strong backlink portfolio see up to a 5.31% increase in organic traffic, with conversion rates boosted by as much as 4.87%.

Your content doesn't just reach more eyes; it speaks to hearts, with every link solidifying your reputation as a trusted, go-to source.

Now, envision a palette of SEO strategies that are as diverse as the services offered in a full-service salon. By enhancing your backlink strategy, you're not just filling chairs—you're building a loyal clientele. Imagine increasing your site's authority so that Google boosts your SERP ranking by up to 6.17%, while simultaneously watching your cost-per-lead plummet by 3.42%, thanks to the compounding effect of SEO on your ad efforts.

It's not just about being seen; it's about being recognized as the premier destination in a sea of options.

With Holistic & Co., this vision is not just a pipe dream—it's your next reality.