7 Effective Ecommerce Link Building Strategies for 2025
5 Dec 2024
If you’re running an ecommerce site, you already know that standing out online can quite the challenge. With so many players in the game, getting your site noticed isn’t just about having great products - it’s also about building a strong online reputation. One key way to do that is through link building. In simple terms, link building means getting other websites to link back to yours. This not only drives referral traffic but also helps search engines see your site as more trustworthy and authoritative.
As a whole, backlinks make up your “backlink profile”. So, typically, the stronger your backlink profile, the better your search performance.
How does it help? Well, it results in more sales, increased traffic, and greater credibility.
Here’s an in-depth look at seven effective ecommerce link building strategies. We’re not talking about quick fixes or sneaky shortcuts - these are genuine, long-term tactics that can help you grow your online presence.
1. Create Linkable Assets
Before you can get other sites to link to you, you need something worth linking to. Creating valuable content that people naturally want to share is the foundation of any solid link building campaign. Think beyond product pages:
Detailed Guides & Tutorials: Create comprehensive how-to articles or buying guides that help your audience make informed decisions.
Infographics & Visuals: High-quality visuals, charts, or infographics summarising industry trends or product comparisons can be highly shareable.
Case Studies & Success Stories: Sharing real-life examples of how your products have made a difference can resonate with both customers and industry bloggers.
This type of content acts as a “magnet” for links because it offers genuine value. It gives other site owners a good reason to reference your content, which can, in turn, improve your search engine rankings.
2. Guest Posting
Guest posting remains a tried-and-true method for ecommerce sites looking to build links. The key here is to focus on quality over quantity. Here’s how you can approach it:
Research Relevant Sites: Identify blogs and websites in your niche that accept guest posts. Look for sites with engaged audiences that align with your target market.
Tailor Your Pitch: Instead of a generic outreach email, craft a personalised pitch. Explain why your story or expertise would benefit their readers.
Provide Value First: When you write your guest post, make sure it’s genuinely helpful. Aim to educate or entertain rather than just plug your products.
Guest posts not only secure valuable backlinks but also position you as an expert in your field, helping to build trust with a broader audience.
3. Broken Link Building
Broken link building is a smart, proactive strategy that benefits both you and the webmaster of the site with the broken link. The process is pretty straightforward:
Identify Broken Links: Use tools like Check My Links or Ahrefs to find broken links on relevant websites.
Offer a Replacement: Reach out to the website owner, point out the broken link, and suggest your content as a suitable replacement.
Build Relationships: This approach not only helps the site owner fix an issue but also opens up a dialogue that might lead to further linking opportunities.
It’s a win-win because you’re providing a solution while securing a quality backlink that can boost your own site’s authority.
4. Leverage Resource Pages & Directories
Resource pages and industry directories can be a goldmine for link building, especially if they cater to a niche related to your products. Here’s what to do:
Search for Relevant Pages: Look for pages on reputable sites that compile lists of useful resources or guides in your industry.
Ensure Your Content Fits: Make sure your content is genuinely helpful and aligns with the theme of the resource page. It could be a detailed guide, a list of tips, or an insightful article.
Reach Out Thoughtfully: Contact the webmaster with a brief note explaining why your content is a valuable addition to their resource list. Personalise your message to show that you’re not just sending out mass emails.
By getting your site listed on these resource pages, you not only secure a quality backlink but also get exposure to a targeted audience who is already interested in your niche.
5. Collaborate with Complementary Brands
Sometimes, the best way to build links is by working with other brands rather than going it alone. Collaborative efforts can lead to natural, mutually beneficial linking opportunities:
Co-Author Content: Team up with a complementary brand to create a joint blog post or guide. This not only diversifies the content but also introduces both brands to each other’s audiences.
Joint Campaigns or Giveaways: Organise a campaign or giveaway with a partner brand. You can both promote the event, and when you share content around it, you’ll naturally link back to each other.
Shareable Tools or Resources: Consider creating a tool, calculator, or resource that both brands can promote. This type of content often attracts links from industry sites looking for useful resources.
Collaborations help build authority and trust by associating your brand with others that share your values and audience.
6. Influencer Outreach
Working with influencers in your industry can provide a significant boost to your link building efforts. Influencers have dedicated followings that trust their opinions, and a link from an influencer’s site can go a long way:
Identify the Right Influencers: Look for bloggers, vloggers, or social media personalities who align with your brand and have a genuine following.
Build Genuine Relationships: Don’t just reach out with a request for a link. Engage with their content, share their posts, and build a rapport before pitching your idea.
Offer Value: Whether it’s sending them a sample of your product or offering to write a guest post for their blog, make sure there’s a mutual benefit.
When influencers endorse your content, it adds a layer of trust and can drive both traffic and high-quality backlinks.
7. Press Releases and Media Coverage
Though it might seem old-fashioned, press releases can still be an effective way to get your ecommerce site noticed—especially if you have a newsworthy story:
Craft a Compelling Narrative: Whether it’s a new product launch, a unique business milestone, or a noteworthy partnership, your story should be interesting and relevant.
Distribute Through Reputable Channels: Use trusted press release distribution services to get your story in front of journalists and bloggers.
Follow Up: Sometimes a personal follow-up with a journalist can make all the difference. It shows that you’re serious about your news and can lead to further coverage and links.
Press releases are particularly useful when you have something truly newsworthy to share, as they can lead to significant media coverage and natural backlinks.
Effective ecommerce link building isn’t about quick hacks or chasing numbers - it’s about establishing your site as a trusted, valuable resource in your industry. Whether you’re creating linkable assets, guest posting, niche edits, fixing broken links, leveraging resource pages, collaborating with like-minded brands, engaging with influencers, or even using press releases, each strategy plays its part in building a robust backlink profile.
The key is consistency and genuine effort. Instead of looking for a one-off fix, focus on building long-term relationships and creating content that others naturally want to share. It might take some time, but the cumulative effect of these strategies can significantly boost your site’s visibility and credibility in the crowded ecommerce space.
So, roll up your sleeves and get started. Each link is not just a digital connection - it’s a vote of confidence in your brand. And as more people start to trust and share your content, you’ll see your ecommerce site rise through the ranks, drawing in more traffic and, ultimately, more customers.