Offsite SEO Strategies to Improve Your Rankings

Offsite SEO Strategies to Improve Your Rankings

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and it's the practice of using certain techniques to increase the ranking of a website or blog in search engine results. These techniques include onsite SEO, which is about things that you can control about your site like its content, structure, and accessibility. Offsite SEO is about leveraging external factors like social media and other websites to improve your standing in the rankings. Let's explore some offsite SEO strategies to help ramp up your search ranking, send more traffic to your website that will convert into more leads and more customers!

BACKLINK BUILDING

Backlink building is one of the most important aspects of offsite SEO. By building high-quality backlinks, you can improve your website's authority and visibility, which will in turn improve your SEO rankings.There are a number of ways to build backlinks, but some of the most effective include guest blogging, directory submission, and social bookmarking.Guest blogging involves writing blog posts for other websites in your industry. In exchange for your content, you typically receive a link back to your own website. This is an excellent way to build links while also providing valuable content for other website visitors.Directory submission involves submitting your website to online directories. This is a great way to build links and increase your visibility online. If you re a local business, making sure you are set up with a profile on as many local directories as possible can have an immediate and incredible affect.  Not only will it improve the SEO ranking of your own website, but it will improve the visibility of your business on the directory and in general searches.  Examples of local directories may include a business directory section of your local town or city website, or your local BIA or Chamber of Commerce.

Related Blog Post:  5 Ways to Gain Quality Backlinks

PODCASTS

If you're looking to improve your website's offsite SEO, one strategy you can use is to be a guest on podcasts. This is a great way to build links and improve your visibility in search engines.  Most podcasts have their own website were they list all episodes and include the information of the guest including a link back to your website.  IN addition if the podcast is also published on other sites such as iTunes or Audible you have additional chances for quality backlinks. Not to mention that being a guest on podcasts is a great way to build the reputation of your business and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

PROTIP:  Anytime you are featured as a guest on a podcast make sure to also share this on your website & social media.

If you put in the effort, podcasts can be a great way to improve your offsite SEO and attract more visitors to your website.  If you are not sure where to start check out https://www.matchmaker.fm which is a great website that connects podcast hosts and guests.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media and SEO go hand in hand.  All social media profiles are indexed by Google, as is true for the content you share.  The keywords you research for SEO can also be used in your social media strategy, both as content within your posts, ALT text on images, and #Hashtags.  To improve your SEO rankings using social media really all you need to have is an awareness that your social media strategies will ultimately affect your SEO results.  This can actually save you time and energy on research and content creation.  The quickest win will be to include your focus keywords in your social media profiles. The more your brand is mentioned on social media posts is another factor that can help your rankings Google, so when other accounts share about your business this is also a huge benefit.

INFLUENCER MARKETING

Influencer marketing is a form of social media marketing involving endorsements and product placement from influencers, people and organizations who have a purported expert level of knowledge or social influence in their field. Wikipedia

Influencer marketing is a powerful tool that can help improve your website's search engine rankings. By partnering with influential bloggers and other online influencers, you can promote your content to a wider audience and earn valuable backlinks to your site.To get started with influencer marketing, identify the influencers in your niche who have the largest following and reach. Once you've identified a few potential partners, reach out to them and pitch your content. If they're interested in sharing your content with their audience, they'll provide you with a link to publish on their site.In addition to promoting your content through influencer marketing, be sure to optimize your site for SEO. Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions, and include links back to your site in your blog posts and articles. By following these offsite SEO strategies, you can earn higher search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your website.

GUEST BLOGGING

There are a number of things you can do to improve your offsite SEO and consequently your rankings in the search engines. One powerful strategy is to guest blog on high quality sites in your industry. This will help to build up your backlink profile and also get your name and brand out there in front of a wider audience.When looking for guest blogging opportunities, make sure to target sites that are relevant to your industry and have a good reputation. You should also try to target sites with a high domain authority, as this will give your links more weight. Once you have found some good guest blogging opportunities, make sure to write great content that will be well received by the site's audience. If you can become a regular contributor on high quality guest blogs, over time this will really help to improve your offsite SEO and search engine rankings.

If you are interested in being a guest blogger on my website please contact me via this form

FORUMS

Participating in website forums is not as common place as it used to be, but is a great consideration when trying to improve your SEO and has other benefits as well.  Generally a forum is a website or section of a website that is set up for members to discuss topics.  You can reply to various topics or start your own conversations.  Forums can be useful to also generate leads and build communities.  Usually they are industry specific.  For example I have been a member of Digital Point Forum for a number of years, and this is one of my highest quality backlinks from my profile where I have a link to my website, as well if I post in some of the discussions links to my website (when & if permitted) that will also create a backlink.

GOOGLE REVIEWS

Google reviews are one of the most important off-site SEO strategies you can use to improve your rankings. Getting more positive reviews will not only help your business appear more credible, but it will also help you rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).There are a few things you can do to encourage your customers or clients to leave Google reviews:1. Make it easy for them. Include a link to your Google Business page in your email signature, on your website, and on social media.2. Give them an incentive. Offer a discount or coupon code for those who leave a review.3. Say thank you. Show your appreciation for those who take the time to leave a review by responding to each one individually.4. Monitor your progress. Keep track of how many reviews you’re getting and where you rank in SERPs so you can gauge the effectiveness of your strategy over time.

Related Blog Post:  How to create a link to send your customers to leave a Google Review

GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

Google My Business is a powerful tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence and reach new customers. When used correctly, it can be a powerful asset in your offsite SEO strategy.Here are a few tips on how to use Google My Business to improve your SEO:1. Optimize your business listingMake sure your business listing is accurate and up-to-date, with keyword-rich descriptions and photos that showcase your products or services.2. Encourage customer reviewsEncourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business page—positive reviews can improve your ranking in local search results.3. Use Google PostsGoogle Posts is a feature of Google My Business that allows you to share news, announcements, or other timely content with potential customers. Use this feature to keep your audience updated on what’s happening with your business, and include links back to your website to drive traffic.

EVENTS

Event marketing is a fabulous way to boost your business, depending on the industry that you are in.  By participating in trade shows, events, and fairs you can gain in person exposure directly to potential clients, build relationships and generate leads.  There are also many online benefits to event marketing which include:

• Great content for social media
• Create TikTok / Reel Videos
• Raise awareness from other social media accounts - especially from the event social media accounts
• Generate a quality backlink to your website from the event website
• Content for email marketing
• Gather emails for your email marketing lists by collecting cards, names etc at the event

Consider adding event marketing to your overall strategy, and if you do participate in events make sure you maximize your exposure both online and offline.

PR / PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public relations has various meanings depending on the situation.  For the purpose of this article I am talking about PR & Media coverage for your business or organization in the form of exposure in online publications such as newspapers, magazines, industry articles etc. 

SEO and public relations go hand in hand because when you are featured in an online news article, your website will almost always appear too and this creates a high quality backlink.  In addition the added benefit of the brand mention, as well as the exposure on the social media account of the publication.

To maximize your PR efforts I suggest you create an "In The Media" page on your website and celebrate anytime that you are included in a publication.  This also gives you content for social media and email.  PR strategies also help elevate you as an expert in your field, grow awareness of your business, and increase your "know like trust" factor.

Tactics you might use to start getting PR exposure:

• Build relationships with local news editors and reporters and feed them useful stories & tips.  Make sure they know you are available for content if they need it
• Build a media list
• Consider what your community might find newsworthy and build out business strategies around that
• Publish press releases and share with your media list
• Publish press releases to paid online services (so they get picked up by other websites - great for SEO)
• Actively seek out opportunities to contribute to articles
• PRO TIP sign up to HARO "Help a reporter out" 

Using Offsite SEO Strategies to Grow Your Business

There are a lot of things you can do to improve your SEO, and many of them have to do with offsite tactics. If you're looking to give your SEO a boost, try implementing some of the tips on this list. From claiming your listing on directory sites to guest blogging on high-authority websites, there are plenty of ways to get started. And best of all most of these tactics are very inexpensive and highly worth the investment. So what are you waiting for? Implement these 10 strategies today and see your SEO start to improve in no time.  The best part is that most of the strategies have multiple benefits to grow the awareness and reach of your business.