How MSPs Can Gain Backlinks

As an MSP (Managed Service Provider), you know the importance of having a strong online presence. However, it’s not just about having a website – it’s also about having quality backlinks that can boost your website’s credibility and improve your search engine rankings. In the world of search engine optimization (SEO), link building is a crucial component to increasing a website’s visibility and driving traffic. However, many people are unsure of how to actually perform effective link building strategies. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of gaining backlinks for your MSP business.

Types of Backlinks

First, let’s go over the different ways of gaining backlinks. Here are the most common ones:

1. Guest Blogging on Websites

Guest blogging involves writing an article or blog post for another website in your industry or niche. This is a great way to gain exposure for your business and to earn a backlink in return.

2. Business Listings

Business listings are directories that list businesses in a specific geographic location or industry. By getting your business listed on these directories, you can improve your local SEO and gain backlinks.

3. Social Media Profiles

Social media profiles are another way to earn backlinks. Make sure your MSP business is listed on all the major social media platforms, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and that your profiles are complete and include a link back to your website.

4. Articles in Publications

If you can get your business mentioned in an online publication or news article, you can earn a valuable backlink that can boost your search engine rankings.

How to Gain Backlinks

Now that you know the types of backlinks, let’s discuss how to gain them.

Step 1: Research

Before you can start building links, you need to identify high-quality websites that are relevant to your industry and target audience. This requires thorough research, which can be time-consuming, but is essential for the success of your link building campaign.

Tips:

• You can also try searching for websites in your industry or niche that accept guest blog posts. Use search terms such as “guest blogging + [your industry]” or “write for us + [your industry].”
• Search for business directories that are specific to your geographic location. Use search terms such as “Vancouver IT service providers” or “Canada IT service providers.” A couple of popular business directories for MSPs are CloudTango.com and UpCity.com.
• Use Ahrefs, Moz, or SEM Rush to analyze the backlink profiles of your competitors. Look for websites that link to them and consider reaching out to those websites to see if they’ll accept a guest post from you.
• Sign up for Help A Reporter Out and keep an eye out for tech related topics.

Step 2: Outreach

Once you have identified potential websites to target, it’s time to reach out to them. This involves sending a personalized email that explains why your content would be valuable to their audience and requesting that they link to it. Send an email to the website owner or editor-in-chief and introduce yourself and your business. Be sure to explain why you want to write for their website and how your content can benefit their readers.

Tips:

• Keep in mind that the goal is to establish a mutually beneficial relationship, so be sure to offer something in return, such as a guest post or a link exchange.
• Offer to provide a few topics or ideas for blog posts.
• When crafting your outreach email, be sure to:

• Personalize the email with the recipient’s name and website
• Clearly explain why your content is valuable and relevant to their audience
• Keep the email short and to the point
• If you’re having trouble finding the website owner’s or editor’s contact information, try using LinkedIn Sales Navigator. This tool allows you to search for people based on job title, industry, and location.

Step 3: Content Creation

Link building campaigns are only successful if you have high-quality content that people want to link to. MSPs should focus on creating informative and engaging content that provides value to their target audience. This could include blog posts, case studies, whitepapers, infographics, or videos.

Tips:

• Follow the guidelines: Most websites that accepts guest posts will have its own set of guidelines for submissions. Follow these guidelines carefully to ensure your post meets the website’s requirements. Guidelines may include word count, formatting, tone, and other requirements. Ignoring these guidelines could result in your post being rejected, wasting your time and effort.
• Use ChatGPT to quickly write outlines, determine topics, and help refine your ideas.
• Be sure to optimize your content for search engines by including relevant keywords and meta descriptions.

Step 4: Monitor and Track

Once your link building campaign is in full swing, it’s important to monitor your progress and track your results.

Tips:

• Use tools such as Google Analytics to track your website’s traffic and identify which pages are receiving the most clicks. This will help you identify areas of improvement and adjust your strategy as needed.
• Keep track of which websites have linked to your content and follow up with them to thank them for their support. Building strong relationships with these websites can lead to additional link building opportunities in the future.

In conclusion, link building is a crucial component of any successful SEO strategy. By following these specific steps – research, outreach, content creation, and monitoring – MSPs can perform effective link building campaigns that drive traffic and increase visibility. Remember to focus on creating high-quality content, personalize your outreach emails, and track your progress to continually improve your strategy. Good luck!

Need help with SEO including backlink building? Contact eBridge today.