Do you feel lost when it comes to the topic of SEO? Are you looking for a SEO 101 guide? Then you have come to the right spot. This blog was created for people just like you who are interested on this subject but tend to need to know the very basics of SEO.
Let’s start with some simple FAQ’s:
What does SEO mean? – SEO stands for search engine optimization. This term means a web page that’s been modified so that search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, or a host of other ones, will pick what they think is the best website to match a users’ search words.
What is the purpose of SEO? – To market your website on the first page of search engine results, but also:
1. The user will click on your website.
2. The user likes your website and returns!
3. The user supports your site (this could be multiple ways, but ultimately it’s financially supportive)
4. The user shares his/her enthusiasm about your service or product to others. Many times this happens on social networking websites like Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter.
Why does SEO cost so much? – That’s a very good question. As anything, you must compare and contrast what is being offered and make sure to get good optimization. Cost can vary, but SEO can cost a lot because: SEO gurus need to research the terms people are using in your field and research which keywords have the least amount of competition online. For better SEO results, ongoing maintenance is needed since search engines are always looking for new web pages and people tend to change what they are searching for.
How do I start SEO? – My question back to you would be, do you already own a website or are you just in the thinking stages of creating a site? This has a great deal of importance of what to do next. Email me with the detail.
Can I do SEO myself? – If you are beginning to comprehend search engine optimization, you also need to know that Google has over 200 variables that determines what results they choose. This means that are a lot of small (and big) issues which need to be looked at if you really want to do well in search engines. Why waste time trying when after six months you give up and choose a professional who knows the ins and outs. I’m not trying to be mean, but it’s like comparing your need for surgery. I’d never suggest you have your spouse or neighbor try repairing your broken arm or worse yet, giving you gall bladder surgery. Get my point?
So what do I do next? – After reading this post, if you want to read more of my posts, click on Basic SEO category written for the beginner. If you read these and are still thirsty for more, click on our SEO RSS and get notified when I add new posts! Also, learning the terms will help as you read. Click on the SEO glossary and get familiar with the terms that we have put together.
Any by all means, if you have a question or comment, email us or create a comment and we’ll help guide you with any SEO 101 information! No question is ever a dumb question. Just smart people learning to be smarter. 🙂
There are 5 main things that control where your site ranks in Google for a given search phrase (keyword). Read more below about the main search engine optimization concepts that control where a site ranks in search engines.
- On page optimization (Organic)
- Backlinks
- Directories
- Social Media
- Competition
If these parts of the puzzle work well all together you have a better chance of your website ranking well in a Search Engine. Here is a SEO webinar I did with Molly from Make it as a Dog Trainer
On page optimization has to do with the changes and work you do to each page of the website.
Here are some important parts of the on page optimization process (in order of importance):
- Having the Keyword phrase in the meta title and meta description tag
- Having the Keyword phrase using the <h> tags on the page
- Having the Keyword phrase throughout the page
- Having as little html code as possible – use external css control
Another part of on page optimization is what should be on the homepage. Many people are told by their web designer to put their personal or “about us” information on the home page. The issue isn’t so much that your info shouldn’t be on the home page it is WHERE on the homepage. Above the fold should be what you can do for your client, not anything about you. No one cares about you, your credentials or resume. They only care about what you can do for them. So above the fold should no be about you. I wouldn’t have your info on your about page. Once a visitor is hooked, (thinks you can help them) they can click on the about page to learn about you. I hope that explains it. PM me for more info.
Recently someone asked me if they should be on a Dog Training Directory (https://www.usadt.org). Here is my reply, it is SEO based. I am NOT familiar with the website directory so my answer is only concerning the SEO and Marketing value…….
Any backlink from a dog related website to your website is good for you, so if this is free (like the free version of Yelp) then it is fine. DO NOT LOSE the username and password you use when you sign up.. $50 per year is the most I would spend to be on a website that you’ve never heard of before… If it is a one time $20 fee, do it… if it is free do it. Check it out, for the one time $57 you will get a backlink and citation.
If it doesn’t match up with your training methods and you don’t want to have part of it, don’t do it.
Having the Citation (business name, address & phone) listed on the web in as many places as possible is also helpful to you. Just be sure the name, address & number are exactly the same all over the place. Don’t abbreviate ST some places and write out Street on others. Try to match what your Google Business Listing has.
Do you want to know how to find links to your website? You might have recently read about the problem with JCPenney and their SEO company. If you haven’t, here is a link to the New York Times article.
If you understand the basics of SEO, you grasp the significance of links to your website. Because of the importance of linking, people can go to great measures to get better results with more links! These mis-happenings occur every day with websites. JCPenney is a well known retail store so it hit the news quickly! So let’s examine link building a little closer.
There is much more of a fine line between good and bad SEO in reference to linking. Google approves of SEO but is much more vague about the SEO rules then people understand. Let’s create two hypothetical scenarios:
Here are two examples:
1. You write and place a great article on a website and the following week 100K people link to your article.
2. JCPenney pays an SEO company to get links and in one week 100K links appear.
The power of linking is incredible! At one time if you searched for “failure” in Google you got Michael Moore’s site and George Bush’s bio. This happened only because people from each side linked to each of those sites with the word “failure” in the link. Google fixed this, but search for “failure” now and you will see references to it.
All good SEO companies encourage linking but the difference between good and bad (according to Google) is that it should be slow and natural (sincere) vs. instant, paid or unrelated links. SEO Does Matter declines linking requests all the time because they are not relevant to what our clients’ content is about. JCPenney was being linked to, from any website possible.
So does pursuing links imply bad SEO strategies? No, it doesn’t. You should work hard to follow what Google wants and recommends. (When you have some time, read about it in Google Webmaster Guidelines.) Referring back to my second example, imagine you wrote that article and had a bunch of people linked to it and none of their sites were relevant to the website that you placed your article on. This lack of relevancy could cause this site to be penalized from this innocent action.
Here are 5 ways to find links to your website!
- Use theme based relevant links
- Manually add each link instead of paying for automated links
- Find websites that have good page rank and appear in good standing
- Use permanent links from websites that are relevant to your website
- Use links that are search engine friendly (based off of Google Webmaster Guidelines)
Use quality link building techniques! Keep good standards with Google and all search engines. Then, continue to work hard and enjoy SEO benefits from your search engine results!
Finding quality, relevant links is an important aspect of the linking process! We get emails asking to trade links with us. Many people don’t have an understanding of what valuable back-linking is.
When another website adds your website link to their site, Google and other search engines take note of that and assumes you have an important website. The more links that point to your site, the more search engines believe your site is important.
Here are a couple of linking tips:
- As you look for other websites to link with you, look for websites that are relevant to your website. For example: If you have a plumbing company, link with other plumbers! I find that many times the “other plumbers” reject linking with you. I guess it’s because each other plumbers are considered competition. But look a little deeper. If you are a plumber in California, will you be competing with a plumber from Indiana? I don’t think so! Linking to someone in the same niche field is very helpful to you!
- Find quality websites and don’t link with a website that has a lower pagerank. Websites that look “spammy” probably are just that. And it won’t help you. Here is an example: If the newspaper is linking to you, it would be great for you, correct? The newspaper would be a quality website. If a website with ads and a hidden agenda links to you, it wouldn’t help you and could possibly hinder you if Google learns that the website is doing anything to violate Google’s policies.
Don’t forget to add good keyword anchor text to your link since search engines will pick up on these relevant words. If you need help with good keywords, take a look at some of our other blog posts about keywords and SEO practices.
Finding quality, relevant links is an important process in the SEO world. Your website should be considered “popular” as newspaper websites. Look for other quality, relevant websites and consider writing a blog post for them in exchange for a link! There are many linking opportunities out there. The possibilities are endless!
When other sites link to your own site it tells search engines that your site is probably important. Once you know the importance of links to your site (also known as backlinks) you’ll be asking,
“How do I get links to my site?”
Here are a five suggestions to get backlinks:
- Exchange links with your clients
- Add news releases and/or article to these type of websites.
- Take advantage of social media. On Facebook, make sure to create a business page!
- Join a free link exchange website or relevant directory
- Add your business profile to search engines.
Here are three important SEO tips in reference to links:
- Make sure to use good anchor text. Do not use words like “click here.”
- Link with relevant websites. Many times I see sites avoid their competition. Don’ t think of them as the enemy! If they are willing, link with them and HELP your website rank better in search engines. For example, if your hair salon is in New York, link with other hair salons in other states!
- If possible, find sites with page rank better then your own.
If you are still asking the question, “How do I get links to my site?” Contact us!
Getting other websites to link back to your website (i.e., earning backlinks) is an essential part of SEO, and it requires creating valuable content and building relationships. Here are several ideas to help you encourage other websites to link to yours:
1. Create High-Quality, Shareable Content
- Write in-depth guides or tutorials: Comprehensive, informative content, such as “The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training for Beginners,” can attract links from other websites that find your content helpful for their audience.
- Publish original research or data: If you have conducted a survey, case study, or original research related to dog training, other sites may link to your data as a reference in their own articles.
- Create infographics: Visual content, especially infographics, are highly shareable and can earn backlinks from sites that use or reference your visuals.
- Videos and How-to Content: Videos are incredibly popular, and if you create helpful or entertaining dog training videos, other websites may embed or link to them.
2. Write Guest Posts
- Guest Blogging: Reach out to reputable blogs or websites in the pet or dog training niche and offer to write a guest post for them. You can include a link to your website in the author bio or within the content (if allowed). This is a win-win because the blog gets high-quality content, and you earn a backlink.
- Content for Local Businesses: If you have a local business, offer guest content to other local or related businesses, like pet stores, shelters, or veterinarians. They might post your content with a link to your site.
3. Collaborate with Influencers
- Influencer Outreach: Build relationships with influencers or bloggers in the dog training or pet care niche. Ask them to review your services or feature you in a blog post. If they find value in what you offer, they may link back to your site.
- Interviews and Q&As: Interview well-known dog trainers or pet influencers on your blog. They are likely to share the interview on their own website or social media, linking back to your site.
4. Create Link-Worthy Resources
- Resource Pages: Create a comprehensive resource page, such as “Best Dog Training Resources” or “Top Tools for Dog Trainers.” Reach out to websites in the pet industry, offering to include their content in your resource guide, and ask if they could share the resource on their site.
- Lists and Roundups: People love lists! Create blog posts like “Top 10 Dog Training Tips Every Owner Should Know” or “Best Dog-Friendly Parks in [Your City].” If you feature other businesses or influencers in your lists, they are likely to share or link back to your content.
5. Offer Testimonials or Case Studies
- Testimonials: Offer to write a testimonial for products or services you’ve used (such as dog training equipment, pet food brands, or pet-related software). Many companies feature customer testimonials on their website with a backlink to the customer’s website.
- Case Studies: If your business has achieved success using a particular service or product, offer to write a case study for the company’s blog, which could include a link to your site.
6. Leverage Broken Link Building
- Find Broken Links: Use a tool like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog to find broken links on other websites in your niche. If you find a broken link that used to point to content similar to what you have, contact the site owner and suggest they link to your content as a replacement.
- Offer Your Content as a Solution: Reach out politely, explaining that you found a broken link on their website and offering your content as a valuable replacement.
7. Create a “Best Of” or “Featured” Section
- Feature Industry Leaders: Write blog posts like “Best Dog Trainers to Follow in [Year]” or “Top Pet Bloggers of [Year]” and feature influencers or other websites in the dog training or pet care niche. Then, let them know you featured them. They may be inclined to link to your post in return.
- Best Local Businesses: If your business is local, consider creating content like “Best Dog-Friendly Cafes in [City]” or “Top Pet Stores in [City].” Feature local businesses, and they might link back to your post.
8. Host or Sponsor Events
- Webinars or Workshops: Host a webinar or online workshop on dog training. Partner with other websites or influencers to promote the event, and they may link to the event page on your site.
- Sponsor Pet-Related Events: If you sponsor a pet expo, dog show, or other event, ask the event organizers to list your business as a sponsor on their website with a backlink to your site.
9. Run Contests or Giveaways
- Partner with Other Businesses: Partner with complementary businesses (such as pet food brands, pet stores, or dog grooming services) to run a contest or giveaway. Each partner can promote the contest on their website, linking to your contest page.
- Create Exciting Giveaways: Host a contest related to dog training or pet care. Participants are likely to share the contest, and bloggers or other websites may also link to it.
10. Utilize Directories and Review Sites
- Submit to Directories: Submit your dog training business to local and industry-specific directories such as Yelp, Google My Business, and pet-related directories.
- Ask for Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms that allow backlinks (such as Yelp or Google My Business). Some review sites allow you to include a link to your website.
11. Collaborate with Complementary Businesses
- Local Partnerships: If you run a local dog training business, collaborate with complementary local businesses (such as dog groomers, pet stores, veterinarians, etc.) and offer mutual referrals. You could exchange guest blog posts, feature each other in resources, or create a shared promotion, all of which provide opportunities for backlinks.
- Cross-Promotion: Write content that complements other services. For example, a veterinarian may link to your dog training website if you write a helpful guide on “The Benefits of Early Puppy Socialization.”
12. Repurpose and Syndicate Content
- Republish Content on Medium, LinkedIn, or Other Platforms: Republish (or syndicate) some of your best content on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn, with a link back to the original post on your website.
- Social Media Sharing: Share your content across social media platforms and encourage others to share it as well. Increased visibility can lead to more natural backlinks.
13. Answer Questions on Forums and Q&A Sites
- Participate in Q&A Platforms: Answer dog training-related questions on platforms like Quora or Reddit and include a link to relevant content on your website (but make sure it’s genuinely helpful and not spammy).
- Engage in Niche Forums: Participate in niche forums and groups related to dog training or pet care. Include your website link in your profile or when relevant in discussions.
14. Get Press Coverage
- Reach Out to Journalists: Use services like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) or direct outreach to provide expert commentary on dog training topics. Journalists might quote you and link back to your website.
- Pitch a Story: Contact local news outlets or niche publications with a compelling story related to your dog training business. If they cover your story, they may include a link to your site.
By focusing on creating valuable content, building relationships, and contributing to your industry, you can increase the likelihood of earning backlinks naturally and effectively. These backlinks not only help with SEO but also help drive more targeted traffic to your website and establish your dog training business as an authority in your field.
You can trade blog posts with other bloggers to have quality backlinks. In exchange, the other blogger will write a post for your website with a backlink to their website.
Here are 5 steps to blog post exchanges:
- Find relevant websites that blog. You can search for Google blogs at: http://blogsearch.google.com/
- Find websites that have a higher page rank (PR) then your blog.
- Find websites that are free, indexed and relevant.
- Send an email to the blogger to request a blog post exchange.
- Write a blog post and deeplink within the blog post.
This method of creating quality backlinks and deep links is preferred over exchanging links because it adds content. Many bloggers prefer this method so their website has relevant links with new content!
Write blog post exchanges and add deeplinking value to your website!
Ever asked yourself, “Why are backlinks important?” Today we will examine this question from an SEO perspective so you don’t make a common mistake!
Search Engines, (Such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo) use backlinks as a way to tell whether a website is popular. Imagine trying to determine what websites should be in search results for the phrase someone just typed into their search bar! Let me give you an example we all can relate to about popularity.
Go back with me to your high school days. (Yes, I said your high school days! 🙂 ) Popularity contests occur all the time in high school. If you had popular friends, it made you popular. If you had half of the freshman class like you, it really didn’t help you out. The popular friends (other well-known websites) you become friends with and get backlinks from, the more valuable your website appears to search engines! This is one way search engines measure your importance from the millions of sites on the internet.
♦ It’s good to build a website, but unless you create backlinks, your hard work building a site will be for nothing. ♦
Here are 5 areas you can start getting backlinks from:
- Clients or Business Partners
- Quality directories or backlink sites like Links Do Matter
- Social Media profiles
- Articles and Press Releases
- Video sites
Don’t let this step of search engine optimization get lost in the scheme of work to be completed. Need more information or direction? Contact us and get started today because backlinks are important!!
What is deeplinking? That is the question today in the third part of this linking series. Basic linking is important for SEO! But, a better use of linking with other websites is a term called deep linking.
So, what is deeplinking? Linking to webpages further down in the structure of your website. Here is an example. Many times, a person will add a link to their site such as website.com. The structure of your site can also take you deeper within your site as with this example. (website.com/about/person)
Instead of linking to the homepage (website.com) you should add the link to a web page in a deeper folder. (website.com/about/person) Search engines will be directed deeper within your website which will also help give more pages propensity to be indexed.
You might be thinking that XML sitemaps guide the search engines to find these webpages. Yes, XML sitremaps are created to guide Spiderbots to your webpages but deep linking provides additional help. Adding your deep link to the more valued web page from another site will promote your web page and give that page you are linking to added value.
This third factor of this series on the different types of linking in search engine optimization is probably the less common method used. If you are wondering about the first two types of linking, take the time to read our previous posts on internal linking and external linking.
With time, you will reap the benefits of deeplinking! I hope this answers the question, “What is deeplinking?” Got SEO questions? Contact us and let us help you get on track so your business website can be a success!
Deep linking SEO refers to the practice of creating or acquiring links that point directly to specific, internal pages (or subpages) of a website rather than just the homepage or a general landing page. These internal links are called “deep links,” and they help search engines and users navigate to the most relevant, specific content within a website.
Here’s a deeper look at deep linking in the context of SEO:
1. What is Deep Linking?
In the simplest terms, deep linking occurs when a hyperlink on a website points to a specific page or piece of content within a website, rather than the homepage. For example, instead of linking to www.example.com, a deep link might point to www.example.com/dog-training-tips or www.example.com/services/dog-boarding.
2. How Deep Linking Helps SEO
Deep linking provides several benefits for both users and search engines:
a. Improves Indexing of Internal Pages
Deep links help search engine crawlers (like Google’s bots) discover and index the content of a website’s deeper pages more efficiently. By directing attention to internal pages, you make it easier for search engines to understand the full scope of your website, which can lead to better visibility in search results.
b. Distributes Page Authority
When other websites link to internal pages of your site (rather than just the homepage), it helps to spread the link equity (also called “link juice”) across your website. This can increase the authority of not just your homepage but also other important internal pages. A more diverse backlink profile can boost your website’s overall domain authority and ranking potential.
c. Improves User Experience
Deep links direct users to the most relevant and specific content that meets their needs, which improves the overall user experience. For instance, if someone is looking for dog training tips, being taken directly to a page that has this specific information is much more useful than landing on the homepage, where they would need to search further for what they want.
A better user experience can also lead to higher engagement metrics (such as time on page and lower bounce rates), which are indirect ranking factors in SEO.
d. Helps Rank Internal Pages for Specific Keywords
By pointing external links to specific internal pages, you’re helping those pages rank higher for long-tail keywords or specific search queries related to that content. Deep linking to internal pages that cover niche topics can increase their chances of appearing in search results when users search for very specific information.
For example, if you run a dog training business, a deep link from a relevant pet blog to a page on your site titled “How to Teach Your Dog to Sit” can help that page rank higher in search engines for keywords like “teach dog to sit” or “dog training sit command.”
3. Benefits of Deep Linking for Dog Training Businesses
If you run a dog training business, deep linking SEO can help you in the following ways:
- Promote Specific Services: Instead of just linking to your homepage, deep linking can highlight important service pages, such as “puppy training,” “obedience training,” or “behavioral modification.”
- Boost Local SEO: Deep linking can help individual location pages rank better, especially if you offer services in different geographic areas (e.g., “dog training in Columbia, SC”). External websites linking directly to your location pages can improve your visibility in local search results.
- Showcase Valuable Content: If you have a blog with expert dog training tips, deep links to individual blog posts can help them rank higher in search results for specific queries (e.g., “how to stop a dog from barking”).
4. Best Practices for Deep Linking SEO
When implementing a deep linking strategy, it’s important to follow best practices:
- Use Descriptive Anchor Text: The clickable text in the hyperlink (anchor text) should accurately describe the content on the page you’re linking to. For example, instead of using generic anchor text like “click here,” you should use descriptive phrases like “dog training techniques” or “puppy obedience classes.”
- Ensure Pages Are Well-Optimized: Internal pages that are receiving deep links should be properly optimized with relevant keywords, good content, and user-friendly design. This ensures that once users land on the page, they find valuable information that meets their needs.
- Diversify Your Backlink Profile: While deep links are valuable, it’s important to have a healthy balance of both homepage and internal page links. Too many links to one internal page (especially if done in an unnatural way) may raise a red flag to search engines.
5. Deep Linking in Mobile SEO
In the context of mobile SEO, deep linking can refer to app deep linking, where links direct users to a specific page within a mobile app rather than just the app’s homepage. This is a slightly different concept but operates under the same general principle—taking users directly to the content they’re seeking, whether on the web or within an app.
Conclusion:
Deep linking SEO is an effective strategy for distributing the value of backlinks across your site, enhancing the visibility of specific, relevant content, and improving both the user experience and search engine rankings. For a dog training business, deep linking can highlight specific services, training tips, or location pages, allowing you to attract more targeted traffic and grow your client base.
Have you wondered “What is external link for SEO?” The subject of linking can get confusing especially when there are several different types to grasp in the SEO world.
An external link (Also called inbound linking or backlinking) is when you add a hyperlink to a web page on another website. The site you add the link to can be a blog, social media, directory, or many other sites that can help market your site!
But in relation to search engines and it’s meaning, what is external link? When you use external websites to promote your own website, search engines will see your site valued. One of the goals is for others to share the link and help increase the numbers of hyperlinks that are connected to your website.
If you are still reading this post you might be interested in knowing anyone can look to see how many external links exist to your site or any site. If you go to Yahoo, type in the search bar link:http://www.(yourwebsite) Yahoo will take you to Yahoo Site Explorer and you can view any external link to your site!
I hope this answers “What is external link for SEO.” This is part two of a three part series on linking and how links effect and promote your site! In the SEO realm, linking needs to be considered a main factor to any small business owner who wants to improve their results in search engines.
If you want us to glance at your site or help with the linking needs for your small business website, contact us today. I hope this post takes your website one step closer in search results and the huge possibilities of internet marketing!
An external link (also called an outbound link) is a hyperlink that directs users from one website to a different website. In the context of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), external links are important because they connect users to additional resources and can impact both the linking and linked websites’ SEO performance.
Here’s a breakdown of what external links are and their significance for SEO:
1. What is an External Link?
- An external link is a link that points from your website to another domain. For example, if you include a link on your website to an article on another blog, that would be considered an external link.
- Similarly, when another website links to your website, that’s also considered an external link from their perspective (but an inbound link for you).
2. Importance of External Links for SEO
External links are important for several reasons in SEO. They help search engines like Google understand the relevance, authority, and trustworthiness of web content. Here are the main reasons they matter:
a. Building Credibility and Authority
When you link to high-quality, authoritative websites, it helps signal to search engines that your website provides well-researched, credible content. External links can demonstrate that your content is supported by reputable sources, which can enhance the trustworthiness of your website.
b. Providing Value to Users
External links can improve the user experience by offering readers additional useful resources or related information that complements your content. When users find valuable resources through your website, they are more likely to view your content as authoritative and helpful, which can reduce bounce rates and increase engagement—both of which indirectly benefit your SEO.
c. SEO for the Linked Website (Backlinking)
When another website links to your content, it passes link equity (also called “link juice”) to your website. This boosts your website’s authority and can improve your rankings in search engine results. The more high-quality external links pointing to your website, the more trustworthy your site appears to search engines.
For example, if a well-known pet care blog links to your dog training website, that external link acts as a vote of confidence, potentially helping your rankings.
d. Linking to Relevant, High-Authority Sites Helps SEO
When you add external links to high-quality, relevant websites, it helps Google better understand the context of your content and what niche or industry your website belongs to. This can strengthen your content’s relevance and signal to search engines that your page is valuable.
For example, a dog training website linking to recognized pet care authorities like the American Kennel Club (AKC) or reputable dog training resources can enhance the perceived value of your content.
e. Encourages Partnerships and Link Exchanges
By linking to high-quality websites, you may build relationships with the owners of those websites. Sometimes, these relationships can result in them linking back to your site, which is known as a link exchange or reciprocal linking. However, these types of links should be natural, not forced or manipulative, as unnatural link schemes are discouraged by Google.
3. Best Practices for External Links in SEO
To make the most out of external links, you should follow a few key best practices:
a. Link to High-Quality, Trusted Sources
- Always ensure that you are linking to reputable, authoritative websites. Low-quality or spammy websites can actually hurt your SEO, as Google may consider your content less trustworthy if you’re linking to poor-quality sources.
b. Use Relevant Links
- The external links you provide should be directly related to the content on your page. For example, on a dog training website, you would want to link to relevant pet care sites, training resources, or vet blogs—not to unrelated topics like car mechanics.
c. Don’t Overdo It
- While external links are important, don’t flood your content with too many outbound links. Balance is key. Over-linking can dilute the value of your page and confuse readers, while also leading to potential penalties from Google for appearing spammy.
d. Use Proper Anchor Text
- The anchor text (the clickable text in a hyperlink) for external links should be descriptive and relevant. Avoid generic phrases like “click here” and instead use keywords or contextually relevant phrases that describe the content of the page you are linking to.
For example, if you’re linking to an article about positive reinforcement training methods, the anchor text should be something like “positive reinforcement training techniques” instead of “read more.”
e. Nofollow vs. Dofollow Links
- Dofollow links are regular links that pass on link equity (SEO value) from your site to the external site. Nofollow links, on the other hand, tell search engines not to pass on SEO value to the external site.
While most external links are naturally dofollow links, you may want to use nofollow for links to paid content (e.g., sponsored links) or to websites you don’t fully trust but still want to reference.
4. How External Links Differ from Internal Links
It’s important to understand the difference between external links and internal links:
- Internal Links: These are links that point to other pages within the same website. For example, if you link from your homepage to your “About Us” page, that’s an internal link.
- External Links: These point to different websites entirely, helping to connect your content to the wider web.
Both internal and external links are important for SEO, but external links are particularly valuable because they help establish trust and authority beyond your website.
5. Potential Risks of External Linking
While external linking is important, there are a few risks to watch out for:
- Linking to Spammy or Low-Quality Sites: Linking to websites that are considered spammy or low-quality by Google could harm your SEO. Be careful to vet the websites you’re linking to.
- Broken Links: External websites can change, and links may become broken (404 errors), which can negatively impact your user experience and SEO. It’s important to periodically check your external links to ensure they are still valid.
Conclusion
External links are a critical component of any SEO strategy. They can help your website build authority, improve user experience, and enhance your content’s relevance. For dog training businesses, strategically linking to well-known pet care resources, dog training articles, or relevant news in the pet world can boost both your SEO and credibility.
However, it’s important to be selective in who you link to, ensuring that your external links are high-quality and relevant to your audience.
One way to help with search engine optimization is to submit a RSS feed (free to everyone) to increase traffic to your site and create more backlinks. I recommend everyone add their RSS feed to www.feedage.com This will help with SEO and is something you don’t want to let slip by the way side.
I personally like that this website is categorized by subject and is searchable. You can also apply a Feedage plugin to your WordPress blog and add it to your social networking sites. (Like I did) Although this site is user friendly, you can email them if you need help. Good customer service is important. And many websites don’t meet the need. Let me not go in that direction…I can save that topic for another post! lol Anyhow, I know Feedage will respond to your questions!
RSS feeds are growing and a big part of the internet community. If you haven’t jumped on the band wagon, it’s not too late to start. Don’t you want to take advantage of all the free SEO opportunities that are on the web?