How Do I Get Backlinks to a New Website?

Backlinks are links from one website to another. For a new website, the most sustainable way to earn backlinks is to create resources worth referencing, build genuine relationships, contribute useful expertise, and make it easy for relevant websites to discover your content.

Do not think of backlinks as something to collect in large numbers. A small number of relevant, editorially earned links from trustworthy websites can be more useful than hundreds of random or low-quality links. Focus on creating content people genuinely want to reference.

Google defines link spam as creating links to or from a site primarily to manipulate rankings. Its examples include buying or selling links for ranking purposes, exchanging goods or services for links, and excessive link exchanges. [394]

Who Is This Topic For?

This guide is for new website owners, bloggers, affiliate marketers, small businesses, freelancers, consultants, local businesses, creators, eCommerce stores, nonprofits, and anyone looking to earn legitimate backlinks.

This Article Is Helpful If You Want To:

Build authority for a new website
Help search engines discover new pages
Get referral traffic from relevant websites
Improve visibility for useful content
Promote a local business online
Build a trusted affiliate or niche website
Earn mentions from industry websites
Create link-worthy resources
Avoid harmful link-building shortcuts
Understand ethical outreach and digital PR

What Is a Backlink?

A backlink is a hyperlink from another website to a page on your website. For example, if a local business directory links to your company website, that is a backlink. If a blogger links to your guide because it helps their readers, that is also a backlink.

Backlink Example

A web design blog publishes an article about starting a small business website and links to your “WordPress Website Launch Checklist” because it gives readers a practical setup resource.

Backlinks can help in several ways:

They can send visitors directly to your website
They can help search engines discover pages
They may signal that other websites find your content useful
They can build brand awareness
They can lead to future partnerships and opportunities

However, not every backlink has the same value. A link should be relevant, natural, useful to readers, and placed in a meaningful context.

Why Backlinks Matter for SEO

They Can Help Search Engines Discover Pages

Search engines use links to discover pages across the web. When relevant sites link to your new content, it may be easier for search engines to find it.

They Can Bring Referral Traffic

A link on a related website can bring visitors who are already interested in your topic, product, service, or resource.

They Can Build Trust and Awareness

Being mentioned by a respected local organization, professional association, industry publication, partner, supplier, or relevant creator can increase awareness of your business.

They Support a Natural Website Profile

Useful websites are often linked to because they provide something worth sharing: a guide, original research, tool, checklist, example, case study, or helpful explanation.

They Can Support Long-Term Visibility

Relevant editorial links may support long-term SEO when they are earned naturally. They should never be treated as a substitute for helpful content, technical SEO, good user experience, and audience trust.

Backlink Risks and Limitations

Buying Links Can Create Risk

Buying links for ranking purposes is against Google’s spam policies. This includes paying for posts that pass ranking value or offering money, products, or services in exchange for links intended to influence rankings. [394]

Quantity Is Not the Goal

A large number of low-quality links from unrelated websites, spam directories, comment sections, link farms, or private blog networks is not a healthy long-term strategy.

Not Every Link Helps

Some links may be ignored by search engines. Others may provide no meaningful referral traffic. Focus on relevance and reader value instead of chasing every available placement.

Outreach Can Be Time-Consuming

Building relationships, creating resources, researching contacts, and writing personalized outreach takes time. Generic mass-email campaigns often receive poor results and can harm your reputation.

New Websites Need Patience

New websites may have few links at first. That is normal. Prioritize publishing useful content, building a clear site structure, and developing real relationships rather than seeking instant link volume.

Do Not Misrepresent Yourself

Do not pretend to be a customer, student, journalist, or independent reviewer to obtain a link. Be honest about who you are and why you are reaching out.

What Makes a Good Backlink?

A good backlink is generally one that makes sense for the reader. It appears on a relevant page, comes from a credible source, is placed naturally in useful content, and can potentially send interested visitors to your website.

Signs of a Useful Backlink

The linking website is relevant to your topic or location
The link appears in useful editorial content
The link helps the linking site’s readers
The page is accessible and not hidden behind spam
The anchor text is natural and descriptive
The link may send real referral traffic
The website has a real audience or purpose
The link is not part of a paid or manipulative scheme

Examples of Relevant Links

A local chamber of commerce listing for a local service business
A WordPress blog linking to a useful hosting comparison
A business podcast linking to a guest’s website
A nonprofit linking to a community sponsor
A professional organization linking to a member profile
A creator linking to an original research report
A supplier linking to an approved service partner
A local event page linking to participating businesses

Google recommends using crawlable links and descriptive, concise anchor text that is relevant to both the linking page and destination page. [208]

Step-by-Step: How to Get Backlinks

Step 1: Create a Website Worth Linking To

Before asking anyone for a link, make sure your website has something useful to offer. Few people want to link to an empty homepage, a thin affiliate page, or a generic sales page.

Build Essential Pages First

Homepage
About page
Contact page
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Service or product pages
Helpful blog articles
Clear affiliate disclosure, if relevant
Local business information, if relevant

Build Trust Signals

Clear business or author information
Accurate contact details
Professional design and readable pages
HTTPS website security
Real experience, credentials, or work examples
Transparent policies and disclosures
Updated information

People are more likely to link to a resource when they understand who created it and why it is trustworthy.

Step 2: Create Link-Worthy Content

Link-worthy content gives another website a reason to reference you. The best content is useful enough that it improves the other site’s page or helps its audience.

Example

A new website about small business websites could create a free “Small Business Website Launch Checklist” with sections for domain setup, hosting, essential pages, SEO basics, security, contact forms, and legal policies. Local business groups, web design blogs, and business coaches may find it useful to share with their audiences.

Step 3: Build Strong Internal Links First

Internal links are links between pages on your own website. They do not replace backlinks, but they help visitors and search engines discover your important content.

Internal-Link Checklist

Link new articles from relevant older articles
Link supporting articles to pillar pages
Link pillar pages to detailed supporting guides
Use descriptive anchor text
Make sure important pages have internal links
Fix broken internal links
Avoid linking only from navigation menus

Google recommends that every page you care about should receive a link from at least one other page on your website. [208]

Step 4: Get Listed in Legitimate Directories

Relevant directories can help a new business establish a basic online presence. Focus on directories that real people use or that are relevant to your location, profession, industry, or community.

Legitimate Directory Examples

Google Business Profile for eligible local businesses
Local chamber of commerce directories
Professional association directories
Industry-specific directories
Local business directories
Nonprofit partner directories
Conference speaker directories
University alumni business directories
Local event sponsor pages

Directory Best Practices

Use your real business name
Use consistent contact information
Choose relevant categories
Write accurate descriptions
Link to the most relevant page
Avoid mass-submitting to low-quality directories
Review listings periodically for accuracy

For local businesses, accurate listings can be useful even when the link itself is not a major ranking factor because they may create visibility and referral opportunities.

Step 5: Build Relationships in Your Niche

Relationship building is often more effective than cold link requests. Get to know people and organizations that serve a similar audience without directly competing with you.

Potential Relationship Sources

Complementary businesses
Local organizations
Industry associations
Professional communities
Podcasts and newsletters
Relevant bloggers and creators
Community groups
Suppliers and vendors
Clients and partners
Event organizers

Ways to Build Relationships

Share and comment thoughtfully on useful work
Attend local or online industry events
Offer genuinely useful feedback
Refer customers when appropriate
Collaborate on educational resources
Interview experts for your content
Contribute helpful ideas to a community
Support local organizations and events

Build relationships because they are valuable, not only because you want a link.

Step 6: Create Useful Resource Outreach

Resource outreach means contacting a relevant website because you have a page that may genuinely improve one of its existing articles or resource lists.

Good Outreach Targets

Resource pages
Beginner guides
Local business resource lists
Educational pages
Industry tool lists
Community support pages
Pages with outdated resources
Articles that reference a topic you cover in greater depth

Outreach Email Example

Subject: Resource suggestion for your WordPress beginner guide

Hello [Name],

I found your guide about starting a WordPress website and found the section on planning a new site especially useful. I recently created a free WordPress Website Launch Checklist that covers domain setup, hosting, essential pages, security, and basic SEO.

If you think it would help your readers, you are welcome to include it as an additional resource. No pressure at all—thank you for creating a helpful guide.

Best,
[Your Name]

Outreach Best Practices

Personalize every message
Explain why the resource is relevant
Keep the message short
Do not demand a link
Do not send mass automated emails
Do not misrepresent your relationship or intentions
Respect a non-response or rejection

Step 7: Guest Contribute Carefully

Guest posting can help you share expertise with a new audience when it is done selectively and for real editorial value. The goal should be to contribute a useful article—not to place keyword-rich links at scale.

Good Guest Contribution Opportunities

Industry publications
Professional blogs
Local business publications
Partner newsletters
Community websites
Expert roundups
Educational platforms
Podcasts with show notes

Guest Content Guidelines

Write original content
Match the publisher’s audience
Follow editorial guidelines
Link only where it adds genuine reader value
Use natural anchor text
Do not submit the same article to many sites
Do not use guest posting only for backlinks

Google’s spam policies include large-scale article marketing or guest posting campaigns with keyword-rich links as examples of link spam when the main purpose is manipulating rankings. [394]

Step 8: Use Digital PR and Expert Contributions

Digital PR involves creating newsworthy information, sharing expertise, participating in interviews, or providing useful commentary that journalists, bloggers, podcasts, newsletters, and industry publications may reference.

Digital PR Ideas

Publish an original survey
Share local industry data
Create a useful annual report
Offer expert commentary on a relevant topic
Contribute to journalist source requests
Host an expert interview series
Publish a local community resource
Share a case study with permission
Create a timely educational guide

Example

A local web design business could survey 100 local business owners about website challenges, publish the findings with clear methodology, and offer the report to local business publications, chambers of commerce, and marketing newsletters.

Only publish original research when you can explain how you collected information and avoid presenting weak or misleading data as definitive evidence.

Step 9: Reclaim Unlinked Brand Mentions

Sometimes another website mentions your business, product, research, image, or founder without linking to your website. You can politely ask whether they would consider adding a relevant source link.

Examples of Unlinked Mentions

Your business name appears in an article
A publication quotes you without linking to your site
A website uses your original graphic with attribution but no link
A partner mentions your event or project
A customer case study mentions your work

Simple Request

Thank you for mentioning [Business Name] in your article. Would you consider linking the mention to our website so readers can find the original resource and current information?

Be polite and understand that the publisher may decline.

Step 10: Turn Partnerships Into Useful Mentions

Real business relationships can naturally lead to relevant links and referrals.

Potential Partnership Opportunities

Supplier and vendor pages
Client case studies
Partner resource lists
Event sponsor pages
Community organization pages
Webinar co-hosting pages
Podcast show notes
Industry association memberships
Professional certification listings

Do not require a link in exchange for a product, service, sponsorship, or partnership if the purpose is to manipulate rankings. Any paid or compensated promotion should follow applicable disclosure requirements and use appropriate link attributes where relevant.

Step 11: Monitor Your Backlink Profile

Use a backlink tool to understand which websites link to your pages, what content earns mentions, and whether important links disappear.

Monitor:

New backlinks
Lost backlinks
Most-linked pages
Referring domains
Anchor text patterns
Competitor backlink sources
Unlinked mentions
Potential spam patterns

Do not panic over every unfamiliar or low-quality link. Focus on creating a strong, natural profile through useful content and legitimate relationships.

Backlink Ideas by Website Type

For Local Businesses

Google Business Profile
Chamber of commerce listings
Local business directories
Community event sponsorship pages
Local nonprofit partner pages
Local news or business publication features
Supplier and partner directories
Neighborhood resource guides

For Affiliate Websites

Original product testing resources
Comparison tables and buying guides
Beginner checklists
Industry roundup contributions
Expert interviews
Guest educational content
Original surveys or data resources
Free templates and tools

For Freelancers and Consultants

Client case studies with permission
Professional directories
Podcast appearances
Guest expert articles
Industry community profiles
Webinar partnerships
Training or certification profiles
Co-created educational resources

For Bloggers and Creators

Original tutorials
Downloadable templates
Expert interviews
Podcast collaborations
Newsletter features
Useful content roundups
Original research
Community resource pages

Programs That Can Help

Google Search Console

Google Search Console can help you monitor how Google sees your site and review links reported in its Links report. It is also useful for identifying pages that are indexed and receiving search impressions.

SE Ranking

SE Ranking can help analyze backlinks, referring domains, competitors’ link profiles, lost links, anchor text, and pages that earn links. Use it to research opportunities, not to automate manipulative link building.

Ahrefs and Semrush

Ahrefs and Semrush can help research backlinks, competitor link profiles, content gaps, referring domains, broken link opportunities, and unlinked mentions. Choose a tool based on your budget and actual workflow.

Google Alerts

Google Alerts can help you monitor mentions of your brand, name, product, or topic. It may help identify unlinked mentions or conversations where your expertise is relevant.

HARO Alternatives and Journalist Query Platforms

Journalist-source platforms can connect experts with reporters seeking comments. Respond only when you have relevant expertise and can provide accurate, useful information.

Canva

Canva can help create checklists, infographics, reports, social graphics, and visual resources that make your content more shareable and easier for others to reference.

Google Sheets or Notion

Google Sheets and Notion can help track outreach targets, contact details, resource pages, partnerships, follow-ups, backlinks earned, and content ideas.

Common Backlink Mistakes

Buying Backlinks

Do not buy links for ranking purposes. Paid links intended to manipulate rankings violate Google’s spam policies and can create unnecessary risk. [394]

Using Link Farms and Private Blog Networks

Networks built primarily to create artificial backlinks can be low quality and risky. Focus on real websites with real audiences and a genuine reason to reference your content.

Sending Mass Generic Outreach Emails

Generic “please link to my article” emails usually fail because they do not explain why your content is relevant to the recipient’s audience. Personalize outreach and offer a real resource.

Asking for Links Before Creating Value

Build useful content first. A checklist, guide, template, original survey, case study, or tool gives people a reason to link.

Using Keyword-Stuffed Anchor Text

Do not force exact-match keywords into every link. Natural, descriptive anchor text is more helpful for readers and avoids manipulative patterns.

Ignoring Internal Links

External backlinks are valuable, but internal links are fully under your control. Make sure important pages are linked from relevant pages on your own site.

Targeting Irrelevant Websites

A link from a relevant local organization, industry publication, or complementary business is generally more meaningful than an unrelated link from a random website.

Not Tracking Referral Traffic

Do not judge backlinks only by SEO metrics. Check whether links send visitors, create leads, build relationships, or increase brand visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a backlink?

A backlink is a hyperlink from another website to a page on your website. It can send referral visitors and help search engines discover your content.

Do backlinks still matter for SEO?

Relevant backlinks can still be useful because they may help search engines discover pages and indicate that other websites find a resource worth referencing. However, backlinks are only one part of SEO. Content quality, relevance, technical health, internal linking, and user experience also matter.

How many backlinks does a new website need?

There is no required number. Focus on earning relevant, natural links over time rather than chasing a specific backlink count.

Can I buy backlinks for my new website?

No. Buying links for the purpose of improving search rankings can violate Google’s spam policies. Focus on creating useful content and earning links through legitimate relationships and editorial value. [394]

What is the easiest way to get backlinks?

For many new websites, start with legitimate business or professional listings, create a useful resource, build internal links, develop relationships with relevant people, and share your content where it genuinely helps an audience.

Are directory links good for SEO?

Relevant, legitimate directories can be useful for visibility, referrals, and local business information. Avoid mass-submitting your website to low-quality directories created mainly for links.

Should I exchange links with other websites?

Natural links between relevant sites can make sense when they help readers. Avoid excessive reciprocal linking or “link to me and I will link to you” arrangements intended mainly to manipulate rankings.

Can guest posts help me get backlinks?

Guest content can help when you contribute original, useful material to a relevant publication and links are included naturally for reader value. Avoid large-scale guest posting campaigns designed primarily to insert keyword-rich backlinks. [394]

How long does it take to get backlinks?

It varies. Some listings and partnerships may produce links quickly, while earning editorial mentions often takes time, consistent content creation, outreach, and relationship building.

Do nofollow links have value?

Links with attributes such as nofollow may still send referral traffic, build awareness, create relationships, and help people discover your website. Do not judge every link only by whether it appears to pass SEO value.

What should I do if spam websites link to me?

Do not panic over every unwanted link. Focus on building a useful website and earning natural links. If you believe there is a serious pattern of manipulative links connected to your site, review Google’s current guidance or seek qualified SEO assistance before taking action.