How to gain links to this site

[RamonK]

Hello BobGW,

I checked your back link profile and it seems that you been doing some good white hat SEO. The key here is to keep up a good pace and continue to build good quality links over time.

Since you have a local company, I would start by:
-Getting listed on your free local directories and other useful directories. Here is a good list from Hubspot http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/10322/The-Ultimate-List-50-Local-Business-Directories.aspx
-Consider running a local deal on a daily deal site such as Groupon or Living Social
-Consider joining niche relevant directories such as the ones listed below:
http://registeredhypnotherapist.com/client.cgi
http://www.natboard.com/index_files/Page548.htm
-Join forums and provide useful feedback for people looking for advice while using a signature with your website in the footer. This will position you as a thought leader and industry expert. Example below:
http://hypnosisonline.com/forum/

These are just some example of type of links you can build. There are really many different types of links you can build to your website. If you are new to link building consider looking at this article:
http://pointblankseo.com/link-building-strategies

If you find that information to be useful, they also sell a course for a very low price that you could use. Hopefully this helps, at least to get started. Thanks and I wish you a Wonderful Day!

[mstoic]

Links from good quality websites that are related to your own website are always the best ones. Try to get more links from within the content of the page and not from the comments section. Comments section is not all bad, but the content part is better and the links will most likely have keywords in the anchor tag.

[KeriMorgret]

Do be aware that all links from Q&A are nofollow.

[BobGW]

I figured that Keri, they're also not related content. I hope it didn't look like I was trying to gain links. Sorry if it looked that way.

The reason for this question, just so you know, is that in the past most advice I got is to do guest posting. But guest posting is dead so the only thing I can think of is to write good content and hope for links. But I don't know that I'm good enough to do that since I'm an authority but there are a lot of good people in my field

So I'm looking for advice on white hat link building.

[BobGW]

Oh I just saw why you made that comment, I had keywords in my anchor text. I didn't even think about that since it was a nofollow. I changed it just in case.

[BobGW]

Hi Ramonk,

Thank you for your response and thoughtful private message offering advice. I like some of your advice a lot, but I honestly have to question if some of your methods are up to date because:

1. I believe niche directories are not good anymore. They sure are not editorial. I'd like advice from others on this.

2. You said in your private message that guest blogging is good. Matt Cutts has announced that guest blogging is dead.

So I'm unsure. I'll still give you a "Good Answer" click when this question is over, but I'd like to hear from others. If I misunderstood you or are misinformed, then I apologize. I'm just trying to do the right thing.

Thanks,

Bob

[KeriMorgret]

Matt updated his post to clarify that Guest Blogging for SEO purposes / links is what he has an issue with, not the concept of guest blogging as a whole.

Trust me, it hasn't slowed down the number of guest post submissions that YouMoz is getting!

[BobGW]

I see, the links would have to be nofollow.

So it helps with traffic and branding but wouldn't really strengthen my site.

How do I strengthen my site in a way that will still be credible 10 years from now? (I'm asking everyone, not just you Keri)

The only thing I can think of is stellar targeted content, the content would have to be out of this world in my niche to work, but I'm just getting started - It almost seems like I would have to hire someone to write for me.

[RamonK]

There is too much emphasis today on dofollow links. Nofollow or dofollow links each carry weight and importance in the long term strength of a website. A site with too many dofollow links and not a healthy balance of both would seem suspicious.

Powerful SEO for long term strategy is not one focused on link building alone, there is a lot more to it. I think there is a really good blog post you should read from Matthew Woodward where he explains it pretty well. Link is below:

http://www.matthewwoodward.co.uk/tips/seo-link-building-2014/

Overall long term strategy requires a healthy combination of many practices. Niche relevant directories are still powerful if not abused and the directory you are posting to is credible. Guest posting is definitely not dead if its relevant and provides useful content to users. Hope this help and thanks for the kind response.

[BobGW]

I'd like input from other experienced inbound marketers on Ramonk's suggestion.

Basically, since I have 15 or so backlinks, I could find two quality niche directories and get one dofollow link from both of them. I wouldn't feel comfortable with more than two.

But those aren't editorial at all, so I have a lot of hesitancy about that.

Same with a couple of linking root domains from niche forums.

Suggestions on if these links would be helpful at all?