Link Building Basics: Quality over Quantity

By Justin Lester

4 minutes to read

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Link Building Basics: Quality over Quantity

By Justin Lester

4 minutes to read

Join our smart marketers who get our best digital marketing insights,
strategies and tips deliverered straight to their inbox.

Name(Required)

Imagine a busy street with many kinds of shops. Some have eye-catching signs and people constantly going in and out, whilst others are tucked away in quiet corners, and do not seem to have many customers.

Effective Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is like giving your online shop a prime location and a brightly flashing neon sign! SEO is all about making your website more visible and difficult to ignore in the crowded online marketplace.

The Importance of Link Building in SEO

SEO has many distinct parts, but one of the most important is good quality link building. What is link building? Think of it as getting other reputable shops to ‘recommend’ your shop to their customers!

When high-quality websites link to yours, it tells search engines that your website is trustworthy and worth visiting. This vote of confidence boosts your website’s credibility and helps it rank higher in search results. And the higher you rank; the more people find your shop – and that means more potential customers!

Why We Choose Quality over Quantity at Ruby Digital

In the early days of the internet, some website owners tried to cheat the system. They crammed their sites with irrelevant links, hoping to trick search engines into ranking them higher.

This black hat tactic might have worked for a while, but search engines quickly caught on. Nowadays, Google and other search engines are much smarter and can easily spot dodgy tactics.

It is not about how many links you have, but about the quality of those links.?Think of getting a recommendation from a world-famous celebrity versus one from someone unknown. Obviously, the celebrity’s recommendation is going to have a much greater impact!

A single link from a highly respected website in your industry is far more valuable than loads of links from irrelevant or low-quality sites. Quality links bring in targeted rather than random traffic. They steer people who are genuinely interested in what you offer to your site.?

Not only that, but low-quality links can also actually harm your website. Google can penalise your site if it detects spammy or irrelevant links, pushing you down in search rankings and making it harder for people to find you.

The Benefits of Link Building in SEO

Choosing quality over quantity in link building can help your brand…

  • Improve Search Engine Rankings: High-quality links act as powerful signals to search engines, indicating that your website is a trustworthy and authoritative source of information. This boosts your rankings in search results and makes it easier for customers to find you.
  • Increase Trust and Credibility: When reputable websites link to yours, it enhances your website’s credibility and builds trust in your brand. People are more likely to engage with and buy from a website that is endorsed by other trusted sources.
  • Build Long-Term Value and Sustainability: Unlike quick-fix schemes that can backfire, high-quality links provide long-term value and contribute to the continuous growth of your website. They help you establish a strong online presence and attract a consistent flow of organic traffic.

Tools and Techniques for Effective Link Building

Link building requires time and effort, but here are a few tips to help you identify and secure valuable links:

  • Research and Outreach Tools: Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz can help you research your competitors’ link profiles. They will help you identify relevant websites and connect with influential bloggers and journalists.
  • Identify High-Authority Websites: Look for websites with high domain authority (DA), a metric that predicts how well a website will rank in search results. You can use tools like Moz’s Link Explorer to check a website’s DA.
  • Guest Blogging and Content Marketing: Create high-quality content that provides value to your target audience and submit it to relevant industry blogs and publications. This will help you create high quality backlinks and increase your website’s visibility.

And, if you need expert help, Ruby Digital is here to help! Our team has years of experience in crafting effective link building strategies that deliver real results.

The Long Game – Reaping the Rewards of Quality Link Building

In the world of SEO, slow and steady wins the race. Prioritising quality over quantity in link building is an investment that pays off in the long run. By focusing on building genuine relationships and earning links from reputable sources, you will achieve sustainable success and establish a dynamic online presence. The long-term benefits include an enhanced reputation for your brand, sustainable organic traffic to your website and improved conversion rates.

Do not fall for quick fixes! Talk to Ruby Digital today about expert link building strategies that work.

Written by Justin Lester

Justin is an innovative entrepreneur who transformed the South African SEO landscape. By the age of 24, he had already launched and successfully exited two online startups in London, gaining invaluable experience that propelled him to the iGaming sector. His visionary approach to SEO and Paid Media led to the founding of Ruby Digital in 2012, a first-in-class digital agency that has redefined the industry with cutting-edge strategies. Under his leadership, Ruby Digital has collected numerous accolades, including recognition as South Africa’s top agency for SEO and PPC.

Justin’s commitment to community empowerment is at the heart of his work. He has been instrumental in developing digital marketing training courses for underserved communities across South Africa, ensuring that emerging talent has the tools to thrive in the digital world. As an active member of the Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO), Justin shares his entrepreneurial journey and expertise with fellow business leaders. He also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Cape Town (UCT), where he inspired the next generation of marketers and entrepreneurs with his deep knowledge of SEO and business development.