Backlinks and Domain Authority

[Kyle_James]

Hi there,

I have a question on backlinks. I have seen conflicting stories about it, and hoping someone with a vast amount of experience will be able to help me (If you could please be so kind).

Now I understand the difference between 'no-follow' links and 'follow' links. I have accumulated quite a few 'no-follow' links through things like Facebook, Youtube, Twitter etc. I understand that they won't feed my site authority or trust; or anything of that sort (I do work on content too, and have gotten a few follow links, don't worry). Now I have seen conflicting answers to the actual importance of them. Some things I have read are saying that SEs completely ignore them (NFL), and they don't even consider them a 'link', but rather a user tool to further the experience of the reader on your site. Which is fair enough, but then people are turning around and also saying that Google relies heavily on them, and they only make up 5% of the internet or something. I have even read something saying they are the only ones worth getting (I know that is bs, but they must have a reason behind this thought?).

If someone could enlighten me as to a 'ideal' ratio, and also any little known authoritative sites I could look at submitting content to. I am in the plumbing business, and doing my own sites, so I'm no expert. Also, what are the importance of comment links? I don't go for them, but don't know if I should? Sorry for the mouthful, but I would really appreciate help on this matter.

Kindest regards,

Kyle

The Plumber Bro's           The Electrician Bro's

[MickEdwards]

Forum links have little value, so I would not participate just for the links.  But if you've something to say, can build your authority as a source of good knowledge. you'd get a weak sniff of link juice and possible referral traffic - and possible linking opportunities elsewhere on the back of that work through relationship building.

There is some excellent stuff in here - http://moz.com/community/q/best-to-spend-marketing-budget-on-high-quality-articles-or-link-building-services that might help sculpt your attitude/approach to a strategy.

A new site can dance all over the place and stable good rankings are dependent on so many factors including

• competition
• architecture
• content
• optimisation
• link profile
• authority
• and on...

[Kyle_James]

Michael,

Again, nice one for the reply bud. Yeah I think that would be a better term for it. The ratio lines in what determines a 'natural link profile'. So I can have a large amount of 'No-Follow' links, and be fine; with like x amount of 'Do-follow' links that are high quality? So long as I am not picking up 200k of sh*tty links? I see from the Moz Tool bar that all social media accounts are 'No-Follow'. Do you recommend I make the links from  my website to social media 'No-Follow' too, or do I keep them as is? And yeah in regards to comments etc, I don't want to get involved on a forum for like a day or something, and be that guy. So I was hoping you would tell me they are useless and not to bother. But I will have a look around and see if there looks like a forum / column that looks fun to be a part of and place a few links.

Call me paranoid too, but after I signed up with Google Adwords (Obviously need to keep work coming in while I work on this), my rankings dropped. My site is only 3 weeks old, so I don't know if it is just fluxuations on things like this. Time will tell. Lastly I know the answer is going to have many dimensions and you will never be able to pin point it exactly, but if a really pro SEO guy registered a new domain, what is the shortest time possible to get on the front page for a domain that is around 30-45% difficulty? And to stay there?

Thanks for your help again Michael.

[MickEdwards]

A completely natural link profile will have a range of authority sites with the strongest group probably being around 35 to 50 as they are probably more common, with a few either end.  In that link profile will be a healthy smattering of no-follow links because otherwise it would be engineered.  You will not be penalised/disadvantaged for having 100 no-follow links and 2 do-follow, as with 2 no-follow links and 2 do-follow.

I would keep focusing on your social media channels along with sourcing opportunities on good authority sites you can get a do-follow link on like interviews, articles, reviews etc.  Also bear in mind that good content on a popular site with a no-follow link can still draw referral traffic.

There is nothing wrong with comments as long as the only reason for them is to participate and add value.  If there are any hints of spam, off-topic or piles of vague 'great post' replies on the post or elsewhere on the site then leave alone.

[Kyle_James]

What's up Andy,

First of all, thanks for the reply I am pretty chilled about the whole thing, I just want to keep going, and kinda feel like I am hitting a stone wall. Being self employed, it becomes difficult when you don't know what to tell yourself to do next. I don't know if that makes sense?  Anyway, thanks for the idea, I have implemented it to a degree. I have done things like:

http://www.squidoo.com/the-bro-code

http://contractor-advice.blogspot.com/

Also, on my website I have a section I called the 'Plumber Bro Code'.  I really like your idea of it being 'Q&A', where you can ask a plumber something and it goes there. Would you know of a plugin that does this? That's a really awesome idea. Sorry for all the questions, but I have only been in this game for about a month now. Back to the topic at hand though, which is the reason I asked about the links. Yesterday I emailed all the online news websites in South Africa about potentially writing an article. I figured it would be best if it was based on what to do in regards to your plumbing and electrical systems when you go on holiday this christmas? I would like to include a link to my website on these articles, and I would like to know more about the nature of the link I should include? Again man, thanks so much for your help.

[TomKing]

Hello Kyle,

First of all, chill out....

There is no ideal ratio with regard to DF & NF links, if you forget about trying to get an exact percentage you will be in a better place!

Just continue to create useful content (not just written) and use social media to promote your content and website and you will be on the right track...

With regard to content, being in the plumbing business you could create some 'How To' guides or 'What To Do To Avoid Burst Pipes In The Winter Months' - you get my idea...

Other types of content you could consider are;

Q&A Sheet (using similar questions to mine above)

How To Video (Upload to YouTube)

Infographics - there are plenty of free templates or get one designed for not very much...

Slideshow - How to replace a kitchen tap!

Glossary - List all the terms that are used in the plumbing business

I hope that will give you some ideas...

All the best!

Andy