Inbound links, or backlinks, can do wonders for your dealership's website. An inbound link is simply a non-advertisement link from another site that goes back to your site.
These links drive traffic to your dealership's website that may not otherwise have found your site and improve your website's ranking in search. What's most important is that the link going back to your site comes from a site considered to be an authority on its subject matter and fits naturally into the anchor text, the text that is hyperlinked back to your site.
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However, you cannot pay for a link back to your website. So how can you get other sites to link back to yours without paying? Here are 5 ideas that can help you get valuable inbound links.
Blogging is one of the most efficient marketing tools in modern business. Blogging not only improves your site's SEO, but also establishes you as an authority on your subject matter. For example, if you are an RV dealer, you could write reviews or RV travel tips on your blog to establish yourself as an expert on the topic.
As your blog grows, among the viewers you might attract are people who also write blogs or articles about the industry. In researching for their own articles, they might find yours through a Google search and want to cite the information you wrote. Citing the information is typically done through an inbound link with anchor text.
Producing engaging content on a blog that someone may cite can help bring in inbound links for other content producers.
The more compelling blog posts you write, the better chance there is for you to get more inbound links from better sources. Make sure you post your blogs on social media as well so there is an even better chance of others seeing your post.
As you begin to blog consistently, especially if your content performs well, it is worth it to you to write up a guest blog for another outlet. Writing a guest blog not only further establishes your authority on dealerships and vehicles, but it will also almost certainly net you a link back to your website.
Unless you are asked, you will likely need to find opportunities to guest blog yourself. Be picky when picking who to write for and don't simply write a guest blog because you see an opportunity. It is better for you and your website to write blogs for reputable websites which may be related to the dealership industry or related businesses like RVs, boats and cars.
LEARN MORE: Guest blogging tips from HubSpot
You should also be picky with your choice of topic for guest blogs. You will want to focus on topics that you can link back to on your website. If there is no way to organically link your guest blog back to something on your website, you may need to rethink your subject.
Overall, make sure the guest content you provide is high-quality. This will both help establish your authority even more and may lead you to future guest blogging opportunities in the future.
Companies are constantly looking for volunteers to take part in case studies. These case studies can go a long way in helping companies determine their strategies moving forward.
If you have a vendor who asks for volunteers to take part in a case study, reach out to them and volunteer. When the study is later published, make sure they put a link back to your website.
Webinars are a great way to educate your peers in the dealership business. They also create great opportunities for inbound links.
If you do a webinar, reach out to industry experts, influencers and other dealership owners who could all provide a wealth of knowledge to your webinar. Then, take time to create a landing page for the webinar with links to the websites of everyone participating, including yours.
If those who take part in the webinar post it on their websites, make sure they link back to your website.
WATCH: EverLogic webinars available online
Journalists are always on the hunt for sources about everything in their community. Establish a relationship with your local news outlets, both TV and print. Make sure they have your contact information so that if a reporter pitches a story relevant to dealerships, you are the source they call for an interview.
One easy way to become a source is to simply run ads for the station. Many stations will encourage reporters to reach out to advertisers first as sources for stories. Another idea is to send press releases to local stations in response to industry trends. The press release should have a media contact person so if a reporter wants to set up an interview, they know whom to call.
Always be available for an interview if at all possible. Even if you are not available, get the reporter to talk to a qualified person on your staff. Local news is great free advertising for yourself and your dealership. Any time you are featured in a story, you have the opportunity to show off your knowledge and your personality to a wide audience.
A news story will also give you a free link back to your website.
When a reporter writes a digital story that includes a business owner, they will usually link back to the business. This is done usually to give their story more context and as a gesture to the person whom the reporter interviewed.
If you want more tips on how you can increase efficiency at your dealership, click the button below to see our 10 tips to increase efficiency at your dealership.