Starting a new website can feel like climbing a steep hill, especially when your domain authority is sitting at a big fat zero. But don’t lose heart—every successful site you admire started from scratch, too.
Domain authority is a score that predicts how likely your site is to rank on search engines. It’s calculated using factors like backlinks, site authority, and overall content quality. High DA sites are trusted by search engines and users alike, but building that trust takes time.
In this post, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to improve domain authority from scratch by creating quality content, obtaining high-authority backlinks, and optimizing your website structure. Stick around—it’s worth the effort.
What is Domain Authority and Why Does It Matter?
Domain authority is a metric developed by Moz to estimate how well your website can rank on search engines. It evaluates the overall site authority of your domain by considering factors like backlinks, linking root domains, and content relevance. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate stronger chances of ranking higher.
For new or struggling websites, building domain authority from scratch is crucial. Why?
Because search engines prioritize trusted, authoritative sites, starting with a strong foundation helps your website gain visibility, compete with high-domain authority websites, and improve your overall ranking strength.
It’s also important to note that while DA is a useful metric for understanding your competitive position, it’s not directly used by Google to rank pages. Instead, it’s a tool for tracking your progress and refining your strategy.
In this guide, we’ll cover a roadmap to systematically improve domain authority through content creation, backlinks, and optimization strategies. Let’s dive in!
How Do I Check My Domain Authority?
To check domain authority from scratch, you need a reliable domain authority checker tool. Many tools online offer both single and bulk checking. You can use our own domain authority checker tool as well. Simply enter your domain URL into the search box and check the domain authority.
These tools will provide your domain authority score, the number of linking root domains, the keywords your site ranks for, and your spam score.
Using this data, you can track progress as you work to improve domain authority and boost your site authority ranking. Regularly checking your DA helps identify opportunities to build domain authority and improve domain rating systematically.
How is Domain Authority Calculated?
Domain authority is calculated using a sophisticated machine learning algorithm that predicts how likely your domain is to appear in Google’s search results compared to your competitors. If a domain consistently ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) than another, it will have a higher DA score.
The most crucial factor in this calculation is your backlink profile. High-quality inbound links from trusted, high-domain authority websites significantly boost your DA.
Moz collects this data through its Link Explorer index, which is updated frequently to ensure accuracy.
To break it down simply, your DA score depends on:
- Quantity and quality of backlinks pointing to your site.
- Unique referring domains, as more diverse links signal stronger credibility.
- Your domain’s performance is compared to competitors in search rankings.
For those looking to build domain authority from scratch, focusing on acquiring authoritative backlinks is a must. Improving your site authority ranking through link-building and content optimization is key to long-term success.
Why is My Domain Authority So Low?
A low domain authority score typically signals that your website lacks trust and credibility in the eyes of search engines. This often boils down to a limited number of high-quality backlinks pointing to your site, which is essential for building site authority ranking.
Common reasons include:
- A new domain: Starting domain authority from scratch takes time and consistent effort.
- Poor content quality: Weak or irrelevant content fails to attract links or engagement.
- Few inbound links: Without enough diverse, authoritative backlinks, it’s hard to improve domain authority.
- Spammy backlinks: Low-quality or toxic links can harm your DA score.
- Technical issues: Problems like slow loading speeds or poor mobile usability can hurt your credibility.
To improve domain rating, focus on creating valuable content, acquiring high-domain authority backlinks, and addressing any technical SEO flaws. A strong foundation will help you steadily build domain authority and gain better rankings.
Proven Steps to Improve Domain Authority from Scratch
Building domain authority from scratch can feel like climbing a mountain, but with the right steps, it’s entirely doable. Here’s your roadmap to raise your domain authority and boost your site authority ranking effectively.
Get Listed in Directories
For small and local businesses, listing your domain in online directories is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve domain authority. Focus on high-quality directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and niche-specific ones.
These listings act as backlinks and signal to search engines that your business is credible and local-friendly. Plus, citation building enhances local SEO, helping you reach your target audience effectively.
Master the Art of Link Building
Backlinks are the backbone of a strong domain authority. To build domain authority from scratch, you need to focus on:
- Acquiring links from high domain authority websites.
- Trying broken link-building techniques by replacing dead links with your content.
- Guest posting on reputable platforms to get domain authority and visibility.
Don’t forget about organic link-building. Share your best content on social platforms, forums, and communities to attract natural backlinks.
Create Link-Worthy Content
You can’t improve domain ratings without producing content that people find valuable. Create content that:
- Solves problems your audience is searching for.
- Is long-form (1,500+ words) and rich with images, videos, and insights.
- Encourages action with a strong CTA.
Remove Harmful Backlinks
Spammy links hurt your DA. Use tools like Semrush or our own Domain Authority checker to identify and disavow toxic backlinks. Cleaning up your backlink profile ensures search engines trust your site, helping you improve domain authority over time.
By following these steps, you’ll not only answer, “Why is my domain authority not increasing?” but also see steady growth.
Can Backlinks Alone Increase Domain Authority?
Yes, backlinks are one of the biggest factors in improving domain authority. High-quality backlinks from reputable and relevant websites can significantly raise your domain authority.
However, it’s not just about quantity—it’s the quality and relevance of these links that matter most. To build domain authority from scratch, focus on earning backlinks from trusted sources that align with your content. This will not only boost your site authority ranking but also help improve your overall SEO performance.
Monitoring and Tracking DA
Once you’ve implemented your DA-specific SEO changes, it’s important to monitor your progress. Start by checking website traffic through Google Analytics to see if your efforts are making a difference.
You should also check Google Search Console to identify the search queries that are driving traffic to your site. Linking Google Analytics and Google Search Console can make tracking easier, allowing you to view search queries without switching between platforms.
As you track site authority ranking and search queries, look for keywords where you rank well. Focus on creating content around these topics to improve domain authority over time. Remember, increasing domain ratings is a gradual process, and as your traffic grows, your domain authority from scratch will naturally follow.
For a more detailed approach, use specialized tools like our own Domain Authority Trackers or bulk checkers. These tools help you assess how well your domain authority is increasing and pinpoint areas for further improvement. Regular monitoring helps you adapt your strategy for continuous growth.
Conclusion
Improving domain authority from scratch can be frustrating, especially for new sites looking to boost site traffic and lead generation through content marketing. However, with patience and dedication, you can improve domain authority over time.
Focus on consistent strategies like link-building and targeting long-tail keywords to gradually increase domain ratings. While domain authority is a good indicator of your website’s credibility, it’s not the only factor in SEO success.
Remember, site authority ranking is just one part of the bigger picture. Keep refining your strategy, and you’ll see the results in both traffic and sales.
FAQs
- How do you increase domain authority in one month?
Ans- To increase domain authority in one month, focus on acquiring high-quality backlinks, improving your site’s content, and optimizing on-page SEO. Consistent link-building and creating domain authority from scratch takes time, but can show results quickly with the right strategy.
- How long does it take to build domain authority?
Ans- Building domain authority is a gradual process. While it can take several months to see significant improvements, consistent efforts like acquiring backlinks, optimizing content, and enhancing user experience will help build domain authority over time.
- How can I increase my domain authority for free?
Ans- To increase domain authority for free, focus on creating valuable, shareable content and submitting your site to reputable directories. You can also implement effective internal linking and engage in guest posting to build domain authority without any cost.
- How to increase domain authority fast?
Ans- To increase domain authority quickly, prioritize acquiring high-quality backlinks from authoritative sites. Implement strategies like guest posting, broken link-building, and leveraging social media for content distribution. These actions will help build domain authority faster.
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