How do you make the most of links on your website? You want to make sure they all point to relevant content and likely bring you traffic.
But just placing links isn't enough - you want to make sure you're building on links effectively. Hierarchical link building will help you stand out from the competition.
Link building is as simple as taking actions aimed at increasing the quantity and quality of inbound links to improve search rankings.
Hierarchical link building enhances this by creating a diverse user base by building links from a variety of sources which grows naturally as new readers find the site. This strategy has many benefits and can be implemented by websites large and small.
Effective Tiered Link Building
Google is increasingly aggressive in its crackdown on "black hat" SEO tactics and many sites that try to link in flawed ways may find themselves getting the opposite results they want.
Hierarchical link building relies on backlinks or links from one website to another. Every time you click on a link to an interesting website or interesting YouTube video you are using a backlink.
These are some of the most important ways you can move up in Google search rankings although the company has never revealed its exact algorithm. Remember to follow the standard rules of finding content from authoritative and trustworthy sites.
A well-planned layered link building strategy will start at the first and split into two layers. This is where you focus on websites that you own or that are closely related to your field.
Your goal is to start building awareness of your website on other websites and vice versa. Ultimately you should establish your brand in your niche and present yourself as a credible authority.
Then it's time to move on to the second layer where you can build links to pages on your website.
You have more freedom here because you can use any strategy you like. This is where social media comes in as backlinks from large social media sites can reach large audiences without regular maintenance.
With the way Google's algorithms and politics change frequently some SEO experts question whether hierarchical link building is still the best way to build connections.
While it may not be as effective in search engine rankings as it used to be it's one of the best ways to promote your website organically - the more traffic the higher it will rank.
Getting It Right
Even some of the biggest names in the industry fail when it comes to link building. Some of the most common mistakes in hierarchical link building include relying on or linking to poorly written content flagged by Google or focusing on popular but irrelevant sites.
You might get clicks but not follow-ups. Sites that are positioned too narrowly may see their platforms for growth as well as those that don't evolve with the changing market.
It may be tempting to see what others are doing and copy them but every site has its own unique needs when it comes to link building. You want to keep an eye on how your metrics are performing and which links are passing.
The main goal of tiered link building is continued organic growth that leads to higher search engine rankings. Even if linking works slowly if you provide consistent content the strategy will deliver at the right time.
To get the results you want you need quality statistical analysis. If you don't know anything you won't know if your strategy is working and while Google offers free software it may not give you the in-depth analysis you need.
Many top companies use Ahrefs' site browser which not only provides insight into your own metrics but can also give you tips on what's working and what's not working for your competitors.
Build a Link to Success
This is just a more evolved version of planting backlinks and requires understanding your website's audience and goals. With these simple tips you'll be able to create an effective network that builds your website's audience even when you're offline.