Mastering Link Building for eCommerce: Secrets to Skyrocket Your Sales

Picture this.

It’s a lazy Sunday morning. You’re sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee and browsing the latest gadgets on your favorite online store. You stumble upon the perfect item, and just like that, you’re sold.

But how did you end up there in the first place? Chances are, a cleverly crafted web of links guided you to that product page.

If you run an eCommerce store, that’s exactly the kind of magic you want to replicate for your own store! When executed to perfection, link building is the Swiss Army knife that never disappoints.

In 2023, high-quality, relevant backlinks are a vital part of any SEO strategy; no qualms about it. And if you’re an eCommerce entrepreneur with a wide online audience, backlinks aren’t just important anymore; they’re your bread and butter. Hire professional link building services to gain an edge over the competition and drive more organic traffic.

In this blog, we’ll help you master the eCommerce link building waters. How can you build masterful backlinks that help you dominate the local eCommerce industry? Let’s dive right into it!

eCommerce Link Building: Moving Away From the Bare Minimum

Let’s crunch some numbers real quick.

By 2025, the number of people who shop online is expected to increase to an astounding 2.77 billion.

That’s 33% of the global population.

Since demand is increasing, more and more eCommerce stores are walking into the battlefield, ready to fight. As an eCommerce entrepreneur, you’re competing with thousands of local stores and millions of global businesses.

If you want to stand out and earn more sales, it’s time to move away from a bare-minimum link building plan.

Instead of simply obtaining backlinks, focus on building lasting relationships with industry experts, reputable publications, established influencers, and other authoritative sources.

An unpredictable stream of odd backlinks won’t get you anywhere. Instead, strive to build robust partnerships that yield predictable, high-domain, and consistent backlinks.

In this guide, we’ll help you move away from one-size-fits-all, off-the-shelf, dated techniques and enter the power-packed world of strategic, tailored, and innovative eCommerce link building.

Let’s roll out the grand plan!

1. Unleash the Power of Content: Guest Posting, Skyscraper Technique, and More

Let’s face it. In the eCommerce world, content is king. And not just any content, but content that’s so good it makes your audience sit up, take notice, and share it with the world!

If you want to attract high-quality backlinks that propel your eCommerce store to new heights, rework your content strategy.

1.1. The Charm of Guest Posting

Think of a brilliantly researched, well-written, and cleverly optimized guest post as the life of the party at a swanky industry soiree. You show up, dazzle everyone with your wit and wisdom, and leave with a bunch of valuable connections (read: backlinks).

This powerful link building strategy will help you tap into the existing audience of authoritative industry blogs and showcase your expertise. By delivering value-packed, engaging, and relevant content, you’ll earn high-quality backlinks, increase your brand visibility, and drive referral traffic to your eCommerce store.

Example: Casper

Casper, a direct-to-consumer mattress company, is known for harnessing the power of guest posting like a seasoned pro.

As a startup, Casper knew it had to differentiate itself from the competition and quickly build credibility with its target audience. The company strategically contributed insightful, engaging articles to authoritative blogs in the sleep and wellness industry.

Casper shared valuable tips on sleep hygiene, productivity, and the science behind its innovative mattresses. These guest posts helped the company earn valuable backlinks from reputable sources and reach a wider audience.

By consistently sharing top-notch content and positioning itself as a thought leader, Casper built a strong foundation of trust and credibility. An expert blogger outreach service can help you connect with influential voices in your niche.

The outcome? Exponential growth and success!

Recommended Read: Why Your Guest Blogging Strategy Is Failing

1.2. Become a Skyscraper Technique Savant

Let’s say you’re a world-renowned architect, and you’ve been tasked with building the most magnificent skyscraper the world has ever seen. You scout the city, spot the tallest building around, and set out to design something that soars even higher.

That’s the essence of the skyscraper technique: identifying high-ranking content in your niche and creating something even more awe-inspiring and magnificent to steal the limelight!

With a touch of ingenuity, a dash of creativity, and a sprinkle of persistence, you can become a true skyscraper savant, constructing content masterpieces that not only overshadow the competition but also attract a wealth of high-quality backlinks. If you’re not sure how to go about it yourself, hire a backlink building service that can take the reins and help boost your online presence.

Example: Dollar Shave Club

Dollar Shave Club, a subscription-based razor and grooming products company, recognized the power of the skyscraper technique and jumped on the bandwagon just in time.

They identified a popular article titled “The Ultimate 7-Step Guide to Shaving” and set out to create an even more comprehensive, visually appealing, and informative piece that covered everything from shaving techniques to product recommendations.

The result was a towering masterpiece that not only surpassed the original content but also garnered an avalanche of backlinks and social shares.

By creating a one-stop resource that outshined the competition, Dollar Shave Club successfully established itself as an authority in the men’s grooming space and earned valuable backlinks that continue to boost their search engine rankings today.

Sweet, right?

1.3. Create Link-Worthy Masterpieces

We’ve all come across content that’s so good, we just have to share it with our friends, family, or colleagues.

That’s the kind of content you should aim to create: irresistible resources like in-depth guides, industry reports, or infographics that make others in your niche practically beg to link to them.

By weaving together valuable information, engaging storytelling, and stunning visuals, you can produce content that leaves a lasting impression on your audience and leaves you with a wealth of high-quality backlinks.

Example: BarkBox

BarkBox, a subscription service that provides dog toys and treats, has mastered the art of stitching together link-worthy content that appeals to pet owners and dog enthusiasts alike.

One of their most successful content pieces is a series of Breed Guides that provide in-depth information about various dog breeds, including their temperament, exercise needs, grooming tips, and more.

These comprehensive and engaging guides have become go-to resources for dog lovers. Over the years, they’ve attracted backlinks from reputable dog blogs, canine forums, and lifestyle websites.

By creating valuable, shareable content, BarkBox has established itself as an authoritative source in the pet industry.

1.4. The Irresistible Content Swap

Why stop at just one content-driven link building strategy when you can combine forces for double the impact?

A content swap involves partnering with another brand in your niche to create a piece of content together. Both parties share the content on their respective platforms, earning backlinks in the process.

Think of this as a mutually beneficial exchange of backlinks and exposure!

Example: Shopify and Printful

Shopify, an eCommerce platform, and Printful, a print-on-demand service, partnered to provide seamless integration to online store owners.

As part of their collaboration, they shared content on their respective blogs to promote each other’s services and educate their audiences about the benefits of using both platforms together.

Shopify published a blog about the benefits of using print-on-demand services, like Printful, for store owners who want to sell custom merchandise without the hassle of inventory management. The platform’s features and ease of use were highlighted.

In return, Printful published an article on their blog about how Shopify’s eCommerce platform can help entrepreneurs scale their print-on-demand businesses. The post included a step-by-step guide on how to integrate Printful with a Shopify store.

The content swap between Shopify and Printful was a roaring success. The brands walked away with valuable backlinks and cross-promoted their services to each other’s audiences, expanding their reach and attracting new customers.

Supercharge your website’s SEO with link building services today!

Recommended Read: 10 Types of Backlinks and How to Create Them

2. Build Relationships: Influencer Outreach, Partnerships, and PR

In addition to using content-driven strategies, forming relationships with key players in your industry can open up a whole new world of link building opportunities for your eCommerce site.

2.1. Influencer Outreach

As an eCommerce business, you’re strolling down the digital red carpet, surrounded by glamorous social media influencers. With their dazzling presence and loyal followers, these online celebrities can be your VIP ticket to building high-quality backlinks and skyrocketing your eCommerce sales.

This technique involves partnering with social media stars to create and share content that features your brand. The outcome? Increased exposure, traffic, and valuable backlinks!

Example: HelloFresh

HelloFresh, the popular meal kit delivery service, has cooked up a recipe for link building success with a savory twist on influencer outreach.

Over the years, HelloFresh has collaborated with thousands of food and lifestyle influencers with a penchant for creating mouthwatering culinary pieces at home that showcase the brand’s delicious meal options and convenient delivery service.

When the most popular food influencers whip up scrumptious meals on Instagram Stories, YouTube, or any other platform, people watch and listen.

These appetizing posts and videos not only entice viewers but also inspire food bloggers and websites to link back to HelloFresh when discussing quick, healthy, and delicious meal options.

By using influencer outreach to its advantage, HelloFresh has managed to neaten its online presence, earn valuable backlinks, and solidify its status as the go-to solution for busy food lovers seeking gourmet meals at home.

2.2. Industry Partnerships

Industry partnerships are a fantastic way for eCommerce businesses to expand their reach, share resources, and establish themselves as thought leaders.

By joining forces with complementary brands or organizations, eCommerce businesses can create compelling content, provide value to their audience, and generate high-quality backlinks that improve their online presence.

Example: Blue Bottle Coffee and Fellow

Blue Bottle Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster and retailer, brewed up a sweet partnership with Fellow, a premium coffee gear designer and manufacturer.

By combining Blue Bottle’s high-quality beans with Fellow’s innovative equipment, the collaboration aimed to provide the ultimate brewing experience to coffee enthusiasts.

To celebrate and promote their partnership, Blue Bottle Coffee and Fellow created joint content, including a product launch, brewing guides, coffee pairing suggestions, and behind-the-scenes looks at the product development process.

This shared content was published on both brands’ blogs, social media channels, and email newsletters, generating high-quality backlinks and attracting coverage from coffee-centric publications, lifestyle blogs, and industry news sources.

2.3. PR and Media Outreach

PR and media outreach are time-tested strategies that can help eCommerce businesses garner attention, build brand awareness, and generate valuable backlinks.

By crafting compelling stories and sharing them with relevant media outlets, brands can spark interest among journalists and influencers, who, in turn, may feature the company in their publications or on their platforms.

Leverage newsworthy events like product launches and company milestones to secure coverage and backlinks from reputable news outlets and industry publications. You can also choose to hire professional link building services that do the heavy lifting for you while you sit back and enjoy the rewards.

Example: Tesla

Tesla, the innovative electric vehicle and clean energy company, has mastered the art of PR and media outreach to generate buzz and secure high-quality backlinks.

Under the leadership of Elon Musk, Tesla has consistently made headlines with groundbreaking product launches, bold environmental initiatives, and ambitious goals for the future of sustainable transportation.

One of the most notable examples of Tesla’s media outreach success was the launch of the Tesla Model S Plaid, a high-performance electric sedan that garnered significant attention for its unparalleled speed and impressive features.

To generate buzz and excitement for the Model S Plaid, Tesla hosted a special delivery event at its factory in Fremont, California. The event was live-streamed on Tesla’s website and social media channels, attracting thousands of viewers from around the world.

The Model S Plaid launch event captured the attention of numerous media outlets, including automotive publications, tech news sites, mainstream news sources, and lifestyle blogs.

These publications shared Tesla’s news, discussed the vehicle’s groundbreaking features, and linked back to Tesla’s website, generating high-quality backlinks and further boosting the brand’s online presence.

3. Harness Social Media: Viral Content, Hashtag Campaigns, and Community Building

Social media platforms are a goldmine of opportunities for eCommerce businesses. Use these platforms to engage with your target audience, create share-worthy content, and build high-quality backlinks.

By crafting strategic and compelling social media campaigns, brands can tap into the viral nature of these platforms and generate more buzz.

3.1. Viral Content

Viral content is your golden ticket to building brand awareness.

These extraordinary pieces of content resonate with people, quickly spread across social media platforms, and spark conversations. When crafting viral content, focus on evoking emotions, addressing current trends, and providing immense value to your audience.

By creating shareable, entertaining, and relevant content, you’ll increase the likelihood of your content being picked up by various publications and websites, resulting in high-quality backlinks!

Example: Blendtec

Blendtec, a kitchen appliance company, gained significant attention with its“Will It Blend?” video series.

In each video, the company’s founder, Tom Dickson, would blend various unusual items like iPhones, glow sticks, and golf balls to demonstrate the power of their blenders. The videos went viral (no surprise there), racked up millions of views, and generated a plethora of high-quality backlinks from tech websites, news outlets, and social media influencers.

Ka-ching!

3.2. Hashtag Campaigns

Creating a buzz-worthy hashtag campaign is like hosting a virtual block party that everyone wants to attend.

Your hashtag is the secret handshake that allows your audience to engage with your brand and one another. By crafting a catchy, relevant, and shareable hashtag, you’ll open the doors for endless online conversations that fetch valuable backlinks!

Example: Airbnb

Airbnb, an online marketplace for lodging, launched its #LiveThere campaign to inspire travelers to immerse themselves in local cultures and experiences.

The campaign encouraged users to share their unique travel stories on social media platforms using the hashtag #LiveThere. Needless to say, the hashtag went viral.

Countless travel blogs, publications, and influencers linked back to Airbnb’s website, leaving the platform with a plethora of backlinks and a shinier online presence.

Here are a few of the many tweets that stole the show:

@Airbnb is helping us live what #dreamvacations are made of – authentic experiences of local culture by sharing and caring. Here are some of the snapshots of my @AirbnbBali experiences. #livethere pic.twitter.com/sVunVaRo0U

— Mon Miglani (@MonicaMiglani) September 15, 2018

To launch #airbnbexperiences in #Goa, we spent yesterday afternoon tasting delectable Goan tapas paired well with stellar tipple at Moki’s Bar & Kitchen. Such a top menu with local & seasonal produce! Here’s to many more experiences with @Airbnb #livethere #airbnb pic.twitter.com/TSoLQGp0d5

— The Ideas Lab (@theideaslabmag) June 11, 2018

3.3. Community Building

Building a robust online community around your brand is one of the most effective ways to increase customer loyalty, user-generated content, and valuable backlinks. It’s like hosting an exclusive party where your audience can mingle, exchange ideas, and rave about your products!

By creating an inviting space for your audience to connect and share their experiences, you’ll nurture a sense of camaraderie.

Example: Sephora

Sephora, a beauty and cosmetics retailer, created the Beauty Insider Community, an online forum where customers can share beauty tips, product reviews, and makeup tutorials.

By fostering a strong and engaged community, Sephora generated valuable user-generated content and attracted backlinks from beauty blogs, influencers, and industry publications like a seasoned pro.

So, what are you waiting for? Leverage the game-changing impact of backlinks and revolutionize your online presence with help from link building services.

4. Capitalize on Local SEO: Geo-Targeted Content, Local Partnerships, and Community Involvement

4.1. Geo-Targeted Local Content

Think of geo-targeted content as your brand’s GPS; it serves the purpose of guiding customers straight to your digital doorstep. By creating content specifically tailored to your target audience’s location, you’re essentially rolling out the red carpet for potential customers in your area.

This hyper-focused approach feeds two birds with one scone. You’ll boost your local SEO and attract high-quality backlinks from local publications, blogs, and websites that cater to your niche market.

Example: Chewy

Chewy, an online pet supply retailer, frequently creates geo-targeted content on their blog. Over the years, the eCommerce store has highlighted hundreds of pet-friendly parks, events, and activities in various cities across the US.

Posts like “The Best Dog Parks in Texas” provide valuable, location-specific information for pet owners and attract backlinks from local pet blogs, city-specific publications, and pet-related websites.

Brilliant, right? We think so too.

Recommended Read: Mastering Local SEO: 5 Powerful Trends Taking 2023 By Storm!

4.2. Local Partnerships

Local partnerships are like the power couples of the business world, joining forces to create something even greater than the sum of their parts.

By collaborating with other local businesses, you’ll tap into a wealth of opportunities for generating high-quality backlinks and increasing brand exposure. These strategic alliances will help you build relationships within your community and position your brand as a local leader in your industry.

Example: Etsy

Etsy, an eCommerce platform for handmade and vintage items, frequently collaborates with local artists and small businesses through their Local Hub.

By hosting pop-up markets, craft fairs, and workshops in partnership with local businesses, Etsy strengthens its ties with the community and attracts backlinks from local event listings, artisan blogs, and small business publications.

4.3. Community Involvement

By actively participating in local events, supporting community initiatives, and becoming a beacon of goodwill, your eCommerce business can make a lasting impression in the hearts and minds of your audience.

This feel-good approach is your golden ticket to building loyalty and attracting high-quality backlinks from the local media, non-profits, and other community-focused organizations that recognize your dedication to making a difference.

Example: Warby Parker

Warby Parker, an online eyewear retailer, launched their “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair” program to donate a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold.

In addition to their global impact, Warby Parker actively supports local community initiatives. The eCommerce store frequently sponsors vision screenings and distributes glasses to low-income students in New York City.

These efforts not only generate goodwill but also attract high-quality backlinks from the local media, nonprofit organizations, and education-focused websites. You’ll strengthen your SEO and reputation management efforts!

5. Tap Into Niche Communities: Forums and Industry-Specific Networks

5.1. Forums

Forums are like digital watering holes where like-minded individuals gather to quench their thirst for knowledge, share ideas, and engage in spirited discussions. By participating in these niche communities, eCommerce brands can gain valuable insights about their audience and establish themselves as industry experts.

A well-crafted, informative, and engaging forum post can attract a ton of high-quality backlinks, turning your brand into the talk of the (online) town.

Reddit and Quora, in particular, have emerged as gold mines for eCommerce businesses.

Reddit, affectionately known as the “front page of the internet,” is a vast network of communities called subreddits. Each subreddit is dedicated to a specific interest or topic. This hive of activity is the perfect opportunity to engage with highly targeted audiences, share valuable insights, and promote your brand through relevant discussions.

When your business contributes high-quality content, it can attract upvotes and positive engagement.

The outcome? Increased visibility and backlinks from websites and blogs that reference your posts!

Quora, on the other hand, is a Q&A platform where users ask questions and receive answers from industry experts, enthusiasts, and fellow inquisitive minds. By providing well-researched, in-depth answers to questions related to your niche, you can position yourself as an authority in your field.

This is a great way to earn digital kudos from the Quora community and attract high-DA backlinks from blogs, publications, and websites that cite your answers as authoritative sources.

Example: SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe is a popular home security company that offers DIY home security systems. SimpliSafe has a subreddit on Reddit, r/SimpliSafe, where they engage with their community and share helpful content related to home security.

They also answer questions on Quora related to home security and safety, often linking back to their website or specific products.

By providing valuable information and resources on these platforms, SimpliSafe has established itself as a trusted authority in the home security space. Their active engagement has also helped them build brand awareness among potential customers and drive traffic to their business.

5.2. Industry-Specific Platforms

While Reddit and Quora provide a broad stage for eCommerce businesses to showcase their expertise, industry-specific forums offer a more focused environment to engage with a highly targeted audience.

Using these niche communities, you can zero in on your ideal customers, gain valuable insights into their needs and preferences, and establish your brand as a thought leader in your field.

Some popular industry-specific forums include:

• Tech: Tom’s Hardware, MacRumors, XDA Developers
• Fashion: The Fashion Spot, PurseForum, StyleForum
• Health and Fitness: Bodybuilding.com, MyFitnessPal
• Home and Garden: GardenWeb, DIYChatroom, Houzz
• Travel: Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor, FlyerTalk
• Parenting and Family: Mumsnet, BabyCenter, What to Expect
• Automotive: CarTalk, Tesla Motors Club, VW Vortex
• Gaming: NeoGAF, GameFAQs, Steam Community
• Food and Cooking: ChefTalk, eGullet, Chowhound
• Pets and Animals: DogForum, CatForum, Reptile Forums
• Photography: Digital Photography Review, PhotographyTalk, The Photo Forum
• Sports: SportsHoopla, Cycling Forums, The Football Forum
• Arts and Crafts: Craftster, WetCanvas, Ravelry
• Business and Entrepreneurship: Startup Nation, The Fastlane Forum, Small Business Forums
• Outdoor and Adventure: Backpacking Light, Bushcraft USA, Adventure Rider
• Music: Gearslutz, TalkBass, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
• Personal Finance: Saving Advice, The Finance Forums, Bogleheads
• Education: The Chronicle Forums, A to Z Teacher Stuff, DegreeInfo
• Environment and Sustainability: The Eco Forums, Permies, TreeHugger
• DIY and Home Improvement: DIY Doctor, AVS Forum, The Home Improvement and DIY Forum

Example: The LEGO Group

The LEGO Group, a popular toy manufacturing business, has taken full advantage of industry-specific platforms to engage with their die-hard fan base. They actively participate in popular LEGO forums like Eurobricks and Brickset, answering questions, providing insights, and unveiling new products.

By establishing a presence in these communities, LEGO periodically attracts backlinks from fan websites, toy blogs, and other related online platforms.

Seal the Link Building Deal: Elevate Your eCommerce Empire with Search Berg

We’ve laid out the recipe for successful eCommerce link building. It’s time to toss these ingredients into your cart, check out, and whip up a delectable dish.

We’re here to take the reins!

At the Search Berg headquarters, we specialize in backlink building and eCommerce SEO. By combining these power-packed tools, we help your eCommerce business rise to the top and achieve long-term growth.

Explore our link building services and eCommerce SEO plans to get started! If you have any questions, our pros are always ready to help.

Your empire is about to get bigger and better. We’ll show you the way!