WordPress Blogging: Backlinking basics And S.E.O (For Beginners)

Before I begin I want to say that i am not an S.E.O expert, nor am I techy. 

But, I can show you some simple ways to help your blog to be seen and heard and tips which will help your blog engagement and exposure now.

NOTE: I always recommend hiring 
professionals where needed 
of course - and I do so myself.

So, you have your Blog, WAY TO GO YOU! But is it being seen though?

Something I have learned in my WordPress blog is that I need to master each area in order to get my blog seen, to attract the right visitors and also to drive more traffic to it, and create greater rankings.

Makes sense right?

Of course!   We all need to have our online property being seen and not only seen but, being used as a trusted source of information.

This builds credibility, trust, rapport, and this leads to Opt-in’s and even sales.  Therefore, we really have to understand what is needed from us in order to be as effective as it can be.

Have You Heard Of Backlinking Before? GREAT!  But Where Is YOURS?

Who Is Seeing YOUR BLOG? Are You Backlinking? How Are You Going About It?
Here Today I Am Sharing Simple FREE Ways To Get Your Site Ranked Way Higher just by using Backlinking In Search Engines To Create More revenue For You. But not just backlinking but also other aspects of creating blog posts which will all make a difference to your ranking and exposure.

Let’s say that your Blog Is already ranked quite highly, WELL GREAT, but ‘what are people going to find’ when they get there?  It’s not just about being seen, although that is very important of course, what also matters is that when they arrive they STAY.

What do you have there which will be useful to others by having value driven content, and tools and resources which will help your ultimate client/customer?

What does your blog look like, feel like and offer to keep readers there?

Also, do you have any offers such as banners, programs, courses, free ebooks, Op-tins or E-Commerce Set Up? What about Affiliate products/services?

You see, there is little point in having a strong ranking IF there is nothing to offer when they do land on your site.  Makes sense?   What is the use in ALL that work to be seen on Google without then trying to get their details to build your list, or to sell to in the future? 

So, if there is nothing for people to opt in to or buy then at least make them loyal readers by letting them subscribe.  I am sure you know some of this already right?   

I only know this through my own efforts and from what my WordPress experts tell me.  I have had this blog since 2006 and so I have had to make numerous changes and updates.   I even re-branded my blog myself and redesigned it.

To be clear here, I am no tech guy AT ALL though, I am a creative and i used my basic experience to improve my blog.  I always hire experts to guide me.

So I initially found the ideas of understanding S.E.O quite troubling and frankly depressing, but, as I ventured into it in order to grasp the understanding of my blog and what was required of me I started to discover that I actually could do something about it and I enjoyed it.

I hired someone many years ago but I also decided to learn more about it – as I wanted to know what was being done and how and what was most effective versus what wasn’t.

In simple terms, S.E.O means Search Engine Optimization, and Search engine optimization is the process of growing the quality and quantity of website traffic by increasing the visibility of a website or a web page to users of a web search engine.

S.E.O refers to the improvement of unpaid results and excludes direct traffic and the purchase of paid placement.  So, of course we can purchase traffic (some of this is powerful and fast, and some is a waste of money!)  And we can also use direct traffic, which occurs when a visitor arrives directly on a website, without having clicked on a link on another site.  Direct traffic occurs…

• If a visitor already knows your URL and enters it directly into his/her browser’s address bar ;
• If a visitor has bookmarked your site or saved it as a favourite in his/her browser ;
• If a visitor clicks on a link contained in an email (and the URL has been shared by a third person)

So, direct traffic is something I use a great deal as those who already know me and trust me will click on my URL wherever it may be.  It might be on Twitter, Linked In, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, and more, and this includes others websites and blogs, so it can be very powerful as a recommended source.

For example: if a person already goes to a place where they trust the source and then a person will likely visit your site as the source recommends YOU!

You may also know or see here that I use keywords – and the right keywords matter when it comes to getting your site seen. With Google search ranking potential visitors will be typing in certain and specific keywords into the Google search Engine in order to find solutions.

You want to be one of those solutions.

Google visitors will see paid ads at the top of their searches, and usually these are the top 3 or 4 results, so the idea is that you can rank highly beneath these.  This can be achieved through organic content creation and with useful and informational content by you.

I personally love writing so, it is easy for me to put together some words and to optimize them in order to be at the top of search results.

In my own business this helped me grow a solid following, subscribers, readers and even paying customers and clients, so when we can put in the work it will pay off if actioned in the right way.

WordPress Blogging: Backlinking basics And S.E.O (For Beginners)

In my opinion it is worth hiring an expert if you are too busy to apply this effectively ‘or’ if you are simply not strong with this area. 

Either way, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND and measure your blogs effectiveness and set up the correct processes in order to maximise your blogs performance.

WordPress has amazing tools and resources which you can use and is highly respected by Google. Also, the platform can be manipulated a great deal, so many changes can be made depending on your goals for the site.

Therefore I suggest using WordPress HIGHLY as a choice with your online presence.

Now, it is no good having random sites coming back into your blog OR having people write silly meaningless comments there either. YOU WANT RESPECT AS AN AUTHORITY blog and to connect with highly respected sites also, so be aware of how you manage where your blog is connected to and who is connecting with it.  This is a job in itself which needs daily work, so again you may need to hire a professional to manage your blog.

The way to find the right keywords for your blog is by using Googles Key word tool where you can search for highly used search terms and you can also see the amount of people using specific words, thus you can determine where there are highly searched terms and add them to your blog posts and pages. 

For example: If a particular word has around 10,000 monthly searches on average and this word is higher than other results it may be considered, if it is not an overused word or phrase. 

This post is not techy at all, but if you wish to delve further into using tools such as Googles Keyword tool you can Google it yourself and also watch YouTube Videos and posts which will help you further your awareness and knowledge in order to master the use of it.

A quick example would be ‘if’ a person is searching for ‘Dog Training’ and your site is specifically about ‘Dog Training’.  So, you would search for every word relating to this subject and start to create a data sheet to gather information on the most searched for words in this niche.     

A person may use a wide variety of words and phrases and so your job is to discover what these are and to add them to paragraphs throughout your post.  Also the blog title has to be considered because, if this is not right then a potential visitor won’t even click on it, so, mastering subject lines is vitally important and this subject line has to run throughout the post using Heading tags.

This is something which can be demonstrated on YouTube, so you can see in real time how to implement keywords Heading tags, therefore I recommend heading there after you read this.

Also, each one of your images will need to house the primary keyword of your post.

The next thing is to ensure you hyperlink certain words, so if I talk about My website  you will see that you can click on that phrase, and when clicking on it this will take the reader to your site.  It could be offers, an optin, a product/service or simply another page or post which relates to your blog or site.

By adding hyper links you simply click on the word or words you wish ti highlight from the left and scroll across the word so it turns blue.  When you have this highlighted you go up to the link image at the top of your post to the editing icons.  You will click on the Link icon and this will allow you to add your URL. it will also be possible to add tracking code to the end of your URL so that you know how many readers clicked on that link.

From here you can begin collating the information and see where the most activity has been and from there edit or tweak your findings to test the effectiveness of each area of your blog.

With the blog post itself, you really want to ensure you are adding value, so you are educating others, whilst also entertaining them and creating a call to action at the bottom without being over salesy.

What I mean by that is that you will create value driven content, and this will build trust and rapport, and at the end you will add a related link or links whereby the reader can click on them to move further through the process.  They may be curious, excited, fearful, passionate or any other feeling which drives them to want to take the next step.

In the case of this post I always offer my Free 1ON1 Coaching session, where I help clients create a strategy for their next steps in creating a Passion based small Business model.  So, I offer a link to my acuity scheduler and this enables them to fill that in and I gather information about them before I know whom I will be speaking with.

Why do I do that?

Simple because, the more I know about them and what they need or want the more likely I will be to offer the right solution and determine whether we can in fact work together or not.

So, I am kind of screening 

them beforehand.  Make sense?

There is little point in creating a great post, great content and a great call to action only to end up speaking with a person who is not the right fit for you or you them.

In terms of using call to actions, we can also apply this throughout a post, so it doesn’t need to necessarily be just at the end. Some people don’t read every word, they skim through and some will leave within a few seconds.  If they leave fast, you want to try to get something from the event, so using call to actions throughout means that they may be taken to an offer of yours EVEN IF they don’t want to read every word.

WordPress Blogging: Backlinking basics And S.E.O (For Beginners)

How to make money from your blog:

You see that Pig?

it offers many areas of food, agreed?

This is how you want to see your blog.

You will want to use every part of your blog in the right and strategic ways in order to get the most out of it.  Don’t leave opportunities to sell on the table, but equally don’t just outright sell either.

Use what you have got to get what you want.  And don’t make a Pigs ear out of it!

Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

By implementing what I have suggested above you can build a solid list of subscribers, a great readership, fans and followers.  Some of these readers will want more and you can offer it in the way of products and services.

So, it is wise to start with a free piece of content such as a value driven ebook, PDF, videos, reports or anything else which you feel will bring something of great value to your reader.

This value may be designed to be enticing, urgent, or specific in a way which makes the reader feel as though they NEED IT!  This means you can use perceived value which essentially stands for something which seems MASSIVE or HUGE to them and even amazing to them, but for you it could have been relatively easy for you to create.   It is in the words used which create the most action.

So, I suggest that you are careful and considered with your use of words here, just as you will need to be in the whole blog post and content.  In fact all of your content has to have a purpose, it cannot just be random writing.  Throughout the beginning, middle and end it has to be able to perform for you.

NOTE: If you cannot strike a chord in the reader they will likely feel bored and click away and find something else.  Some say that a reader will give something 5-7 seconds before they are gone so take that into account.

As life is so busy these days we have to stand out from the crowd otherwise we will never be seen or heard.  This can be achieved through the consideration of words used.

Personally, I put myself in the shoes of the reader; I ask myself “would I want to read this?” and if not why not?  How could it be better, clearer, simpler, more fun or whatever area is needed in a specific post.

Now, going back to creating revenue from your blog, there are various ways of doing so.

I use these ways of earning:

1. PERSONAL BUSINESS COACHING = Premium Business Coaching 1ON1 Sessions 
2. Ebooks = 26 ebooks on mindset and business
3. Affiliate products and services = tools, products and services relating to my niche 
4. Courses = My own $10k p month Passion to Profit self study course 
5. Recommendations of others or of tools = Other experts friends of mine whom I trust

(If you need to find a WordPress expert do let me know)

And that’s it!

This means that in being an authority in a specific niche, market or sector you or anyone else can build a streams or several streams of revenue.

There are statistics around the amount of readers who purchase right away versus those who buy over time.  A large proportion of readers first become subscribers to my list and – from there they will read a certain number of emails sent by me before they consider buying anything.

As I am sure you are aware, we are in the business of relationships.

And, as you may also know, there are very few relationships created right away.  These are built over time and with trust and connection.

Research shows time and time again that a person will likely buy from another if they like them and even if they are not completely familiar with the product or service.  So, meaning – when a person likes another and they feel they can trust and even know them they will feel happy to buy something.

This shows that blogging is often the longer game.  Which is opposite to sales calls which are the short game.   

This just means that you may not create revenue immediately or sales but you are investing in your reader and they are investing in you and eventually they may buy something.  They may not, and a % will never as they just want advice or information and that is enough.   

You can decide where your blog can sell for you and promote for you.  You can also look at other blogs and websites to discover what they do and how they do it to create lists and sales.

There are also Plugins you and I can use to enhance the performance and general running of our blogs.  This is a whole area which would need another post to explain fully and in detail but, in short, plugins can add various tools and resources to enable your blog to perform in greater ways, but also to add to your brand and to better operate your systems and processes.

The goal here is to always think of being an authority blogger and to create revenue from this. 

BACK LINKING 

Let’s touch on back linking now.

A back link for a given web resource is a link from another website to that web resource.  A web resource may be a website, a blog, a web page, or a web directory.

A back link is known as a reference relating to a comparable site.

The idea is to ensure that the authority and validity of the site or resource coming into your site is of high standard and has a great reputation or it could damage your reputation.

Therefore, it pays to know exactly who and what is to connecting to you and you to them to keep standards high.  You and another site owner may ask each other if you can both back link for example, thus you both benefit from this situation.

A) What Sites Are Linking Back To you and you to them?
B) Are These Sites Right for you?
C) Are You Showing Respect To The Other blogs and Sites and them to you?
D) Are You Adding Value To Respectable Web/Blog Owners by linking back to yours?

WordPress Blogging: Backlinking basics And S.E.O (For Beginners)

Let Me Explain What Backlinking Really means:

Back links are sometimes referred to as incoming links or inbound links and these are links that are built into other sites and are coming to you from websites, blogs, pages, articles etc. It could also be from a satisfied customer who is raving about your website or blog.  Now, as the internet is growing exponentially It is hard to stand out, and this is why many people use or hire S.E.O experts to help them create things like HYPERLINKS, and ANCHOR TEXTS onto pages that LINK BACK TO YOUR WEBSITE.  With me?

You see, if you are a professional then you maybe already know this, but, if not then you will want to perhaps get some help with this.

You can begin yourself by creating worthy back links to your blog by doing what I suggested earlier.

You may have experienced this yourself when people comment on your blog, and its up to you decide if that comment is worthy or not or if it is simply spam.  So, you have to keep your site in order.

I think it’s a great thing when people leave enthusiastic and worthy comments, as it can build relationships for me and them and creates a potential buying situation later on.  These comments could help you out and even change your future and revenue.

This is the same as when ‘you or I’ go to another site and show them care and love in what they do, and you may build a wonderful and worthy relationship and help them out.

It may also improve your overall ranking also when respected sites are linking back to you.

ONCE YOU HAVE GREAT BACK LINKING TO YOUR WEBSITE OR BLOG:

Your Blog will receive more specific targeted TRAFFIC as a result, and this is one key to long term growth and eventual sales.

SOME TIPS: when commenting on other sites professionally:

 

1) Don’t Just Kiss butt! It Is obvious when others haven’t really read the Post. Be a great communicator and make the effort and connect.

2) Add Value truly. What did you find useful or find out from your visit?

3) I use my name as I respect others, so I am open about who I am and they also take notice of whom I am.

4) Only add a comment that relates to the subject matter. Otherwise it’s spammy.

5) It’s OK to disagree also. But don’t be rude, no-one appreciates it.

WordPress Blogging: Backlinking basics And S.E.O (For Beginners)

Support Writers

I will always support those who are trying to stand out and be seen and whom I have built a relationship with.

We are all trying to make a living of course and you are no different, so if you show the love and support I will likewise support you of course  – as this way we both increase our exposure.  We all create more business by helping each other right? Of course.

Sometimes I will do a video for a friend, or write a piece of content, and they will return this by doing something for me, so in having other experts to turn to we can all increase our business.

So aim to get ahead of the game and to beat the competition by using the points that I have mentioned and it will really help you!

If You Think That People Are Spamming YOU!

 

Make sure you set up Spam Filters. This way you can relax in the knowing that your blog is safe from harm.

Again, yo can add plug ins which can help with this.  Simply click on Plugins in your menu and search for Anti Spam Plugins or for whatever plugins you wish to find.

It is our job to keep our house in order.

You are only as professional as the content you create, so ensure that you are working with the highest standards.  Also check your spelling, structure and flow.  Ensure that you are adding the value and giving something unique.  As, you are trying to build your reputation.

SIMPLE FREE S.E.O To Help Your Blog Rankings:

Basically, you are going to submit your blog to certain sites to help with exposure and to get yourself seen on Googles radar.

Google want great content and so you can be in front of them easily.

There are many sites that will all help your blog get noticed, you can go to google and find many sites which are relevant, and you can look on YouTube at videos which show you where to add your blog.

Don’t simply plaster keywords throughout your blog post, but just add them when it is necessary to do so.

The idea is to furnish your blog posts and pages in order to come up in search results, and when you share it you are going to get picked up google’s radar.

So your goal is for your Blog to rank well in various searches relating to your SERVICES AND PRODUCTS.

EXAMPLE: Let’s say that your blog relates to Building Guitars. You want to be found in searches that relate to ‘building guitars’, or ‘how to build a guitar’, or ‘guitar building basics’, and many other search terms relating to your site.  So, you can write a series of phrases and key words you might use yourself when searching to add those to your blog.

All of this is going to help your site be seen, and gain in exposure whilst also being respected.

Don’t forget, If people find you easily then you will need to ensure that it is worth their time so the whole process needs to be smooth from initial discovery to content to call to action.

WordPress Blogging: Backlinking basics And S.E.O (For Beginners)

FINAL POINTERS:

1. ALWAYS CHECK SPELLING AND CONTENT AND FORMAT IT RIGHT LEAVING WHITE SPACE
2. ADD VALUE AND EDUCATE WHILST YOU EVEN ENTERTAIN MAKE IT SOMEWHAT COLORFUL
3. READ BACK YOUR POST LOUD AND CHECK FOR CONSISTENCY AND FLOW
4. ADD GREAT SHARP LEGAL IMAGES AS IT BREAKS UP THE COPY AND KEEPS ENGAGEMENT
5. BE YOURSELF AND DON’T TRY TO IMPRESS – RATHER BE HUMBLE YET PROFESSIONAL
6. ADD HYPERLINKS THROUGHOUT YOUR POST IN CERTAIN PLACES ENSURE THESE OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW
7. ADD A CALL TO ACTION LINK AT THE BOTTOM SO THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO KNOW MORE
8. ADD KEYWORDS CONSISTENTLY AND ENSURE POST TITLE IS S.E.O FRIENDLY AND ADD TITLE IN SEVERAL PLACES USING THE H1, H2, H3 and so on FEATURE
9. ADD KEYWORD TEXT TO ALL IMAGES
10. ADD ANY URL LINKS TO IMAGES AND/OR BANNERS TO OPEN IN NEW WINDOW
11. BE UNIQUE AND STAND OUT SOMEHOW FROM OTHERS
12. ADD ALL KEYWORD TAGS WHICH YOU WILL SEE AT THE TOP OF THIS POST
13. USE THE GOOGLE KEYWORD TOOL TO FIND HIGHEST SEARCHED FOR KEYWORDS
14. BACKLINK TO OTHER AUTHORITY SITES AND SHARE YOUR POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
15. LOOK AT THE GENERAL VISUAL OF THE POST AND MAKE IT LOOK APPEALING TO THE EYE
16. GET PROFESSIONAL HELP IF YOU ARE NOT TECHY TO ENSURE THAT YOUR HARD WORK IS  RIGHT AND WORTH THE EFFORT AND IS BEING SEEN – THE LAST THING YOU WANT IS TO MESS UP YOUR BLOG BY WASTING TIME AND POTENTIALLY MAKING MISTAKES
17. ADD AFFILIATE LINKS OR OFFERS WHERE RELEVANT/NECESSARY BUT DON’T JUST PLASTER THEM IN
18. ASK FOR COMMENTS TO GET ENGAGEMENT AND MOVEMENT GOING
19. BE A LEADER IN YOUR FIELD AIM TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN AND YOU WILL STAND OUT

As always I wish you the very best

Greg

FREE 1ON1 Business Coaching Strategy Session 

My Books

Passion To Profit $10k per month Self Study Course

P.S I Hope That You Have Found This Post Useful. If You Would Like More Help With your all areas of your WordPress blog, I can recommend an expert if you contact me @ www.GregDeTisi.com

WordPress Blogging: Backlinking basics And S.E.O (For Beginners)

GregDeTisi

Author and Small Business Blogger at Greg De Tisi Writing and Small Business Blogging

Author of 26 books, a course creator and business blogger - Greg has been supporting clients from all backgrounds all over the globe for over 15 years in developing ideas and passions into sustainable Small Business Models. Greg now has more of a focus on supporting his local business community in Bristol UK.