As we’ve discussed in our on-page SEO post, search engine optimisation is a broad and ever-evolving field with branches stretching everywhere. Off-page SEO is one such branch that we will delve into in this post. So, if you want to learn why off-page SEO matters and how you can use it to your advantage, keep reading!
What Is Off-Page SEO?
When you think about off-page SEO in comparison to on-page SEO, what are your first thoughts? Off-page SEO is simply the opposite - activities that happen off of your website page but which have an effect on your search engine rankings.
It focuses more on external signals from other sources that will help signal to Google and other search engines that your website should be ranked higher.
Some examples of off-page SEO elements involve link building, creating content for other websites, running social media campaigns and participating in online forums.
All of these have the power to influence your website’s search engine rankings by providing valuable backlinks and increasing brand awareness.
What are backlinks?
Backlinks are links from other websites to your website. When another website links back to yours, it tells search engines that your content is authoritative and worthy of a higher ranking in the SERP (Search Engine Results Page).
They also act as ‘votes’ for your website. The more high-quality backlinks you have pointing to your website, the higher your rankings will be.
What Does Off-Page Involve?
As we mentioned above, off-page SEO has certain elements we need to get a grip on before we can really understand why it matters. Here are some of the most important ones.
Link Building
Link building is arguably one of the most important aspects of off-page SEO and involves putting in place a strategy to generate links from other websites to yours.
Why?
Because as we know, backlinks are an important ranking factor and having quality links coming from reputable sources can really help boost your website.
For example, if you were in the travel industry, you’d want to get links from popular tourism websites such as Lekkerslaap.
How To Get Started With Link Building
In order for you to be in a position to get the kind of quality links that will really move the needle in terms of off-page SEO, you need to have your ducks in a row.
Here are some tips to get started:
1. Have a good layout on your internal pages
Internal linking on a website is where you link from one page on your website to another. This helps the search engines understand what pages are important and which ones should be ranking higher in the SERPs.
Just remember not to have too many links pointing toward the same page. According to Neil Patel, this is not the best SEO practice.
2. Apply on-page SEO
It goes without saying that if your on-page SEO is up to scratch, you’re more likely to receive backlinks from other websites. Here is a checklist of the best on-page SEO tactics you can implement:
Remember that if you do not know how to implement these tactics mentioned in the infographic it is best to seek the help of a certified SEO expert. You can find amazing SEO services in South Africa right here at Starbright!
3. Make a list of thematic keywords to use
Thematic keywords are basically the words and phrases that define your website’s topic. These will be used to help build backlinks, as they can help you look for websites related to what you offer on your own page.
4. Produce high-quality content
Content writing and marketing are some of the best ways to generate traffic and links from other websites. Write long-form content that is interesting and informative; provide your readers with data-driven insights and useful tips.
5. Write great email pitches to potential linkers
The best way to get backlinks from other websites is by writing great email pitches. You should make sure you explain why the other website should link to yours in a concise and professional manner.
With these five tips, you’re sure to get your link-building strategy on the right track.
Social Media Campaigns
Social media is not an element you should overlook when it comes to off-page SEO. It has quickly become one of the most popular ways for people to engage and share content.
In South Africa alone (according to Meltwater), there are about 25.8 million social media users. With an estimated 87.2% Facebook users, 70.5% Instagram users, and 69.9% TikTok users, South Africa is an untapped gold mine for social media marketing.
To get started with a social media campaign, you can:
- Post interesting and engaging content regularly
- Promote your website or products on social media
- Create compelling visuals such as infographics, videos and GIFs
- Interact with followers by replying to comments and messages quickly
- Establish relationships with influences in your niche
These are just a few things you can do to get started with a social media campaign for your brand. Remember that consistency is key; the more you post, the better it will be for your overall SEO strategy.
Content For Guest Posting
Guest posting should always be part of your off-page SEO strategy, as it provides an opportunity to get high-quality backlinks and build relationships. But what exactly is guest posting?
Guest posting is simply the act of writing content for a website or blog that is not your own and linking back to your own website. The benefit of doing this is that you can reach out to new target audiences, get more backlinks and build relationships with other sites in your industry.
Let’s refer back to our travel industry example:
You can find websites or blogs in the travel industry and offer to write guest posts for them. This will not only benefit your SEO but also build relationships with other sites in your industry.
Just remember to write for a website with a high domain authority (DA). A high domain authority falls between 80 and 100, so make sure to check the DA before you consider writing for any website.
Online Forum Participation
Participating in online forums is a great way to boost your off-page SEO. Popular online forums in South Africa include:
The Forum SA
MyBroadBand Forum
Bizcommunity
Fibre Tiger
Black Forum South Africa
Each online forum focuses on different categories and topics, making it easier for you to connect with the right audience. Online forums are also great for getting direct feedback from users, which can help you better understand your target market.
However, participating in online forums is not all about promoting your brand or website. It’s important to stay active on these platforms by providing helpful information and resources to other users. Making meaningful contributions to online forums gives you the opportunity to showcase your expertise and gain trust in your industry.
If done correctly, participating in online forums can help you position yourself as an expert in your field, build relationships with like-minded people and boost SEO rankings.
And that’s all there is to it - these are the off-page SEO elements involved! Our SEO team at Starbright has some other tricks up their sleeves, so if you want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Why Does Off-Page SEO Matter?
Imagine this scenario - you’ve done everything right, from writing excellent content to applying on-page SEO techniques. Even if your technical SEO efforts are on point, you still don’t get the desired traffic to your website.
Why does this happen?
The answer lies in the importance of off-page SEO. Even if you have the best content on your website, it won’t matter unless it is visible to your target audience.
With effective off-page SEO, Google and potential customers trust you more. It shows that you are active in the community and have a strong presence, which helps your website rank higher on search engine result pages (SERP).
In a nutshell, off-page SEO is all about building relationships with other websites and people to boost the visibility and authority of your website.
Want To Improve Your Off-Page SEO Efforts?
The good news is that improving your off-page SEO isn’t rocket science. All you need to do is put in the time and effort to cultivate relationships, build trust, and get your content out there for people to see.
If you do not have the desired time or skills to get the job done, you can always outsource off-page SEO services to us.
Our Starbright SEO team is well-versed in this field and will be more than happy to help you reach your goals!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does off-page SEO take?
As you know, SEO takes time and effort. With off-page SEO, however, it can take a bit longer as you need to build relationships with other websites and people. That being said, you should start seeing results within a few months.
2. Is off-page SEO worth the effort?
Yes, absolutely! Off-page SEO helps boost your website’s visibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of both Google and potential customers. This is important for long-term success, so it’s worth the time and effort.
3. How can I track my off-page SEO efforts?
You can monitor your progress with tools like Google Analytics or Ahrefs, which provides detailed insights into how your website is performing.