Struggling to get your online store noticed in a crowded marketplace? You’re not alone. With so many ecommerce websites vying for attention, securing a spot at the top of search results feels tough. That’s where link building comes in—a powerful strategy to boost your site’s visibility and sales.
This article unpacks exactly how link building works for ecommerce websites. We’ll break down practical steps, simple tips, and proven techniques to help you attract quality links and grow your business.
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How to Build Links for Your Ecommerce Website
Understanding Ecommerce Link Building
Link building for your ecommerce website means getting other reputable sites to add links pointing back to your online store. These links, often called “backlinks,” signal to search engines like Google that your store is trustworthy and worth ranking higher in search results. For ecommerce businesses, effective link building brings more organic traffic to your online store, leading to increased visibility, trust, and sales.
Let’s dive into actionable strategies, challenges, benefits, and the best practices—everything you need to know to supercharge your store’s rankings through link building.
Why Link Building Matters for Ecommerce
- Boosts Search Engine Rankings: Backlinks are a top-ranking factor for Google. More high-quality backlinks mean better chances of appearing at the top of search results for your products.
- Drives Targeted Traffic: Links from relevant sites can send potential customers directly to your category or product pages.
- Builds Credibility: Being mentioned and linked by authoritative sites builds trust with both search engines and shoppers.
- Supports Competitive Growth: Outranking your competitors often comes down to having a stronger backlink profile.
Key Link Building Strategies for Ecommerce
Ready to start link building? Here are the tactics proven to work for ecommerce websites:
1. Resource Page Link Building
Find resource pages or “best of” guides relevant to your niche (e.g., “Best Sustainable Toy Stores”). Reach out to the website owner and suggest your store as an additional resource.
How to do it:
– Use Google searches like “best [your product] stores” or “[your niche] resources”.
– Make sure the page is up to date and actively managed.
– Craft a friendly pitch, explaining how your store adds value for their readers.
2. Guest Posting
Writing high-quality articles for authoritative blogs in your industry is a powerful way to earn backlinks. Choose topics relevant to the retailer’s audience, and naturally weave a mention of your store.
Tips:
– Focus on content that provides unique insights or helpful tips.
– Place your link contextually (not just in the author bio).
– Build relationships with site owners for future collaboration.
3. Digital PR & Brand Mentions
Get people talking about your products or brand by:
– Launching new products and sending press releases to industry publications.
– Running unique or newsworthy campaigns that might catch media attention.
– Monitoring for unlinked mentions of your brand and politely requesting a link be added.
4. Broken Link Building
If a website in your niche has broken links, it creates an opportunity. Find dead links (404 errors), then suggest your relevant product or content as a substitute.
Steps:
1. Use browser extensions or tools to scan relevant websites for broken links.
2. Where you find a dead link, check what old content it used to link to.
3. If your product or guide matches, reach out with your suggestion.
5. Influencer & Affiliate Outreach
Connect with niche influencers and bloggers to review your products or partner through affiliate programs:
– Send free samples in exchange for honest reviews and links.
– Provide affiliate commissions for sales they send your way.
6. ‘Linkable Asset’ Creation
Produce guides, ebooks, comparison charts, or unique studies that naturally attract links because they’re useful to your audience.
– Examples: “Ultimate Buying Guide for Noise-Cancelling Headphones” or “2025 Eco-Friendly Packaging Study”.
7. Product Roundups and Listicles
Get your products featured in articles like “Top 10 Gifts for Dads” or “Best Running Shoes of 2025.” These are high-converting links, as readers are ready to buy!
Best practice: Make it easy—provide clear product info, images, and selling points when pitching to content creators.
8. Partnership & Supplier Links
If you work with brands, manufacturers, or distributors, ask for a “Where to Buy” or “Retailer” listing on their sites with a link back to your store.
9. Skyscraper Technique
Find top-performing content in your niche, create something even better (more detailed, up-to-date, or better designed), and reach out to all the sites linking to the original content, suggesting your improved piece as a better resource.
Detailed Steps to Get Started
- Audit Your Existing Backlinks
- Use tools to check your current backlink profile.
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Identify your strongest links and any low-quality or toxic links to disavow.
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Research Your Competitors
- Look at what sites link to your competitors’ product or category pages.
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Make a list of target sites to approach for your own link building.
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Plan Your Linkable Content
- Choose assets (blog posts, guides, tools) that could naturally earn links.
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Make sure your product pages are detailed, informative, and visually appealing.
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Start Outreach
- Personalize each email.
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Focus on how your store or content benefits their audience, not just your SEO.
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Track & Refine
- Keep a record of your outreach efforts—track replies and links earned.
- Refine your pitch based on feedback to improve your success rate.
Benefits of Ecommerce Link Building
- Higher Rankings for Product & Category Pages: Strategic internal linking helps, but quality backlinks are vital for climbing the search results.
- Sustained Organic Traffic: Unlike paid ads, the benefit of strong links lasts long after the initial work.
- Brand Authority: Consistent mentions on reputable sites build social proof and authority.
Common Challenges in Ecommerce Link Building
- Duplicate Product Pages: Many similar products with thin content can make it hard for others to link to your store. Stand out with unique content and value.
- Low Resource Linkability: Product pages aren’t inherently “linkable.” Supplement with guides, infographics, or data studies that others want to reference.
- Time-Intensive Outreach: Link building is an ongoing process. Success requires patience and consistent effort.
- Strict Link Guidelines: Some websites have tough editorial standards. Always respect these and never pay for spammy links—which can hurt rankings.
Best Practices For Effective Link Building
- Focus on Quality, Not Just Quantity: A single link from a top-tier blog is often worth more than dozens from low-quality directories.
- Diversify Your Link Sources: Get links from blogs, news outlets, industry directories, and vendor pages.
- Prioritize Relevance: Links from sites closely related to your niche have the most impact.
- Monitor Competitors: Stay up to date on where your competitors are getting mentioned.
- Keep Up With SEO Guidelines: Avoid tactics like buying links or mass guest posting on low-quality sites, as these can lead to penalties.
Practical Ecommerce Link Building Tips
- Leverage Customer Reviews: If your product is sold elsewhere, ask sites to link to your main store. User-generated content is powerful and trusted.
- Optimize Your “About Us” and Story: Brand stories gain editorial interest and links—share your mission, values, and unique selling points.
- Utilize Visual Assets: High-quality, original product photos, comparison charts, and infographics increase the likelihood of being shared and linked.
- Engage With Your Community: Sponsor local events, charities, or contests to be featured on their websites.
- Follow Up: Don’t be discouraged by silence. A polite follow-up can often double your response rate.
Cost-Saving Advice
Link building can be costly if you rely on agencies or paid placements, but smart strategies can reduce expenses:
- DIY Outreach: Handle initial outreach in-house to save on agency fees.
- Build Linkable Assets Internally: Invest in your own guides, tools, or videos instead of outsourcing.
- Utilize Affiliate Programs: Offering commission to influencers or content creators can be more effective than paying upfront for links—and you only pay when you get results.
- Bulk Product Shipping for Reviews: If offering samples, plan bulk shipments to influencers at once to save on shipping costs.
Concluding Summary
Link building for ecommerce websites is an investment with lasting returns. It’s about building real relationships and delivering value—not just chasing numbers. With a combination of quality outreach, link-worthy content, and a focus on relevance, your online store can steadily build the authority needed to outpace competitors and generate continuous, targeted traffic. Keep refining your approach, track your progress, and maintain a customer-first mindset in all your link building activities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best types of links for ecommerce sites?
The most valuable links for ecommerce come from reputable, relevant blogs, online magazines, niche directories, and trusted brands or supplier pages within your industry. These offer both SEO and referral traffic benefits.
Can you build links to product pages, or just blog content?
You can—and should—build links directly to important product and category pages, but it’s typically more successful when pages are valuable, detailed, and unique. Supporting content (like guides or reviews) can also funnel authority to your main pages through internal linking.
How long does it take to see results from link building?
Link building is a long-term strategy. Initial improvements may appear within a few weeks, but significant ranking advances often require consistent effort over several months.
Is paying for links a good strategy for ecommerce?
Paying for links (especially on low-quality sites) risks search engine penalties. It’s better to focus on earning links through high-value content, outreach, and partnerships that benefit both your store and other sites’ audiences.
How can I measure the ROI of link building?
Track your rankings for key products, monitor increases in organic traffic, and analyze referral traffic from your new backlinks. Over time, link building should lower your dependency on paid ads and increase overall sales and brand authority.