Why do some sites rank high on Google even when their content is not better than yours? That’s the big question. The answer is often backlinks. But not just any backlinks. Google wants smart links. Backlinks that don’t look like they’re made just to trick search engines. And that’s where most people fail.
In July 2024, there were about 1.88 billion websites live. That’s a huge crowd. And you are fighting with all of them for a small space on the first page. So if your backlink strategy is weak or fake-looking, Google ignores you. Many site owners make the same mistake, they buy cheap links or get spammy ones from directories. That’s not how it works anymore.
Let’s fix that. Let’s build links that work.
What Is a Backlink Strategy and Why Does It Matter?
It’s a plan to get links from other websites to your own. These links help Google know your content is useful. Google has said backlinks are one of its top three ranking factors. That’s why it matters.
Take the example of Scribe. It’s a SaaS company. To get more traffic, they started a backlink strategy for ecommerce sites. The agency behind it went hard with guest posts, press mentions, and link placements on top blogs. In just seven months, they pulled over 200 links from high-authority domains. That helped them jump in rankings and get more leads.
So, if you are asking, what is a backlink strategy, it’s your plan to grow visibility with the right kind of links. No random links. No tricks. Only clean, high-value backlinks.
How to Build a Backlink Strategy from Scratch
To build a strong base, your backlink plan must be step-by-step. Don’t rush. Build trust. Start with clear goals and build from there.
1. Define the Purpose of Your Backlink Strategy
Every good backlink plan starts with purpose. You should know why you’re building links.
Every good backlink plan starts with purpose. You should know why you’re building links.
- Domain Authority: You want Google to trust you. More authority = better chance to rank.
- Relevance: Links should come from sites in your niche. If you run a dental site, a backlink for dental website should come from health or clinic blogs.
- Traffic and Engagement: Good links send real people. You don’t just want robots.
- Editorial Standards: The site giving you the link must have clean content. No spam.
This acts like a funnel. You start wide. Then you narrow down based on who can really help. Your backlink strategy for ecommerce or for a dental blog should follow this same process.
2. Identify Linkable Assets Already on Your Website
You don’t need to create new pages from scratch every time. Use what you already have.
A report by Backlinko said only 0.63% of users click on second-page results. This shows how much backlinks can help your pages reach the first page.
So what counts as linkable assets?
- Blog posts with data or stats
- How-to guides
- Tools or calculators
- Comparison charts
Check your best-performing pages. Add internal links. Add case studies. Improve content quality.
3. Perform a Backlink Gap Analysis
This is about knowing what your rivals have that you don’t.
Start by picking three top rivals. Run their URLs through backlink tools like Ahrefs or Semrush. Look for:
- Who links to them?
- What kind of content gets those links?
- Are they using a competitor backlink strategy?
Now, list those sites. Ask yourself: Can I write a better post? Can I offer something new to these sites?
4. Research High-Authority Sites in Your Niche
You can’t just get links from anywhere. You need them from sites that Google already trusts. These are high-authority websites. They have a strong Domain Authority (DA), high traffic, and clean SEO practices. Getting backlinks from them tells Google your content is strong.
So, how do you find them?
Start by typing your niche + “blog” or “write for us” in Google. For example, if you run a dental clinic, search “dental blogs India” or “health write for us.” That helps you shortlist places for dental backlinks or a backlink for dental websites.
You can also use SEO tools like:
Examples of high-authority sites:
| Niche | High-Authority Sites | DA Score (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce | Shopify Blog, BigCommerce, Moz | 75–90 |
| Dental | Dental Town, DentistryIQ, Colgate Pro | 60–85 |
| General SEO | NeilPatel.com, Search Engine Journal | 80–90 |
| Education (.edu) | Harvard.edu/blog, Stanford.edu/resources | 85–95 |
This step is core to your competitor’s backlink strategy, too. Study who’s linking to them, then make a list and plan your move.
5. Build a Content Plan Around Link-Worthy Topics
If your content is not useful or unique, no one will link to it. This is the most common error marketers make.
Your backlink strategy for ecommerce or dental niche must revolve around real user problems. Content must solve, teach, or show.
Examples:
- For a dental website: “What Happens If You Don’t Treat Cavities Early?”
- For e-commerce: “2025 Guide to Returns & Refunds in Indian E-Stores”
- For .edu backlinks: “Research-Based Student Diet Guide for Hostelers”
How to brainstorm topics:
- Go to forums like Reddit or Quora
- Read comments on popular YouTube channels
- Check “People Also Ask” in Google
Once you pick your topic:
- Add stats and numbers
- Add original photos or charts
- Use tools like Canva for infographics
- Embed comparison tables
This raises the value of the page and makes it more likely to earn links.
Every post must aim to earn at least 3 natural links. If it’s not possible, the topic needs to be better. Always include terms like “how to create edu backlinks” or “backlink for dental website” in the subtopics, headers, and body.
6. Create Linkable Content Assets Like Infographics, Tools, and Whitepapers
People link to pages that save time or make them look good. That’s why tools, infographics, and whitepapers still work. Even in 2025.
Infographics break down tough data into visuals. If you’re explaining a process like “How to create edu backlinks step-by-step,” a simple visual helps others link to it.
Tools like calculators or quizzes can work well for niche websites. If you run a dental site, a “How much does a root canal cost in India?” calculator works.
White Papers can be long reports. Great for B2B or e-commerce websites. Example: “India’s E-commerce Trends 2025 Report” with graphs and forecasts.
Why do these work?
- They give instant help
- They’re shareable
- Bloggers and journalists love to quote them
Tip: Add your logo and URL in the asset footer. This helps retain the backlink when shared elsewhere.
6. Write Compelling Outreach Emails with Value Propositions
Email outreach can feel spammy unless done right. You must send real, simple emails that show the other person what’s in it for them.
Most editors get 50+ pitches daily. To stand out, be human, be brief, and offer a reason. Use their first name. Mention their content. Tell why yours fits. End with a soft CTA.
Email Sample (Data-based):
Subject: Your Post on [Topic] + Data Add-On?
Hi [First Name],
I came across your post on [Title], excellent job. I recently finished a 2025 study on the same, with original data and charts. Would you like to see it? Might be worth linking if you update your post.
Best,
Name.
Example:
If your post is about “How to create edu backlinks,” find blogs discussing university SEO. Offer them a stat chart or breakdown that they missed.
Tips:
- Send follow-up after 4 days
- Use Gmail + Hunter.io for free outreach
- Always track clicks and opens
End with a yes/no question. It gets more replies.
7. Incorporate HARO and Digital PR into Your Link-Building Workflow
Many marketers skip this part. But if you want high-authority backlinks that Google trusts, HARO and digital PR are not optional. They’re essential tools in your backlink strategy for ecommerce and any niche like dental, SaaS, or education.
What is HARO?
HARO stands for “Help A Reporter Out.” It connects journalists with experts. Every day, media people ask questions. If your answer is good, they quote you and link to your site. You get backlinks from news sites like Forbes, Business Insider, or NDTV.
What is Digital PR?
Digital PR is not the same as traditional PR. It means creating content that journalists want to share. Think about reports, expert takes, unique data, or press stories. Then you pitch it to the media.
Why use HARO and PR for link building?
- Earn backlinks from DA 80+ sites
- Build trust and exposure
- No need to beg for links or write guest posts
- Works for dental backlinks, edu content, and product brands
How to use HARO:
- Sign up at helpareporter.com
- Pick your category (Health, Tech, Business, etc.)
- Reply fast within 30 minutes
- Give short answers with expertise
- Add your site link in the bio section
Let’s say you run a dental blog. A journalist asks, “What are the top oral hygiene mistakes?” You give a smart reply and get a backlink for dental website from Healthline.
Tips to win at HARO and PR:
- Always add one data point in your pitch
- Use a simple Google Doc for media kits
- Don’t pitch like an ad, be useful
8. Set KPIs and Track Performance Monthly
Once your backlinks start coming in, how do you know they’re helping? You track them. Without measurement, your backlink plan is just guesswork.
You need monthly tracking. Weekly is too short. Quarterly is too slow.
What KPIs should you track?
- Total new backlinks
- Domain Authority of linking sites
- Cost per backlink
- Keyword position changes
- Referral traffic from links
This is true for every niche. Whether you’re building dental backlinks or pushing a competitor backlink strategy, these numbers tell you what’s working.
Here’s a real tracking scenario:
You spend $600 in one month:
- You write 3 guest posts
- You get featured on 2 HARO replies
- You earn 20 backlinks total
Now break it down:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Spend | $600 |
| Total Links Earned | 20 |
| Cost per Link | $30 |
| Avg Domain Authority | 55 |
| Referral Traffic | 600 users |
| Keyword Rank Increase | +5 Spots |
Now calculate Cost per Link:
$600 / 20 = $30 per backlink
Is that good? Yes, if DA is high and traffic is real. If not, change your sources next month.
Tools to track:
- Google Analytics (referral traffic)
- Ahrefs / Semrush (backlink count)
- Moz (DA of domains)
- Google Search Console (keyword shifts)
Tips to improve performance tracking:
- Tag your guest post URLs with UTM codes
- Use Excel or Google Sheets to log monthly growth
- Create a dashboard with KPIs side-by-side
Don’t just chase link quantity. A single link from a .edu site may be more powerful than 10 random blog links. That’s why people ask how to create edu backlinks, because they work.
How to Use Content Marketing to Attract Backlinks Naturally
Many people chase backlinks. But the smartest brands attract them. That’s the power of content marketing done right. If your content solves real problems, gives real answers, and shows real value, people will link to it without you even asking.
This is true for every niche, backlink strategy for ecommerce, dental backlinks, and even B2B. Google rewards content that earns natural links. This happens when others trust your page enough to mention it.
Here’s how you can make content do the backlinking for you:
- Write deep, evergreen guides. Focus on long-term topics. For example, “how to create edu backlinks” will stay relevant for years.
- Add real data from your own research or surveys. Bloggers and news sites love citing data that’s unique.
- Break long content into downloadable PDFs. Make whitepapers like “Competitor Backlink Strategy Trends in 2025.” Offer it as a free download.
- Use storytelling to make your post relatable. Add a mini-case study. It makes your content more human, and more shareable.
- Embed mini-tools or calculators. A “dental cost estimator” on your clinic blog can earn a backlink for dental websites from other health blogs.
- Add real expert quotes. Reach out to known names in your niche and include their thoughts. They’ll often link back when you publish it.
Each of these brings your content one step closer to being linkable. You’re not just shouting for links. You’re earning them.
We Don’t Just Build Links. We Build Google-Approved Power
At Rankfast, we don’t sell backlinks. We build link ecosystems. Ones that search engines love and users trust. Whether you’re an ecommerce brand, a startup, or a local clinic, we plan every backlink like it’s your next big client.
Here’s what we bring to your table:
- Custom backlink strategy for ecommerce sites that actually brings product page traffic, not just blog visitors.
- Real-time competitor backlink strategy mapping. We show you who links to your rivals and why they should link to you instead.
- Natural links for niche industries like healthcare. We’ve mastered how to earn dental backlinks without using directories or spam.
Let Google love your links, not punish them. Let’s build a plan that gets real backlinks, including backlinks for dental websites, and how to create edu backlinks without spam.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to see results from a backlink strategy?
Normally 3 to 6 months. But if you get high DA backlinks early, especially from news sites or .edu domains, you may see shifts in just 45 days.
2. What is a competitor backlink strategy and why should I care?
It’s when you study who links to your competitors and try to earn links from those same sources. It helps you close ranking gaps fast.
3. How to create edu backlinks in 2025 without breaking guidelines?
Reach out to university blogs, research sites, or scholarship pages. Offer original data or create tools students or professors can use. Never buy links.
4. Are backlinks still important in 2025?
Yes. Google confirmed backlinks are one of its top three ranking factors. But only clean, useful links help. Paid or spammy ones harm.
5. How do I get backlinks for dental websites from trusted sources?
Write detailed guides on dental care. Share them with local news, dental blogs, and even college health sites. Use HARO to pitch expert quotes too.
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