How to measure success with link building KPIs
In link building, these indicators are essential to measure the quality and effectiveness of the links pointing to our site. But what are those KPIs for star link building and how can we track them on our sky map?
First, let’s talk about the basics. KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are those guiding stars that show us if our strategies are working or if it’s time to make a change of course.
How to use link building KPIs to measure success?
Domain & Page Authority
Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA) are like the popularity ranking of your website and its individual pages.
Developed by Moz, these metrics give us an idea of how a specific site or page might rank in search engines. An increase in these numbers can be a great indication that your link building efforts are paying off.
Quantity vs. Quantity Quality
This is where the age-old debate comes in: is it better to have a lot of links of questionable quality or a few of high quality? The answer, my dear friends, is to focus on quality.
A link from a site with high authority is not only a vote of confidence for search engines, but it can also bring you relevant traffic.
When measuring your link building KPIs, don’t just look at the number of links, but also their quality. Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush can be your allies in this mission.
Thematic relevance
Not all links are created equal. One of the key KPIs in link building is the thematic relevance of the sites that link to you. A link from a site that shares your niche or industry is infinitely more valuable than a random one.
Not only does this type of link improve your SEO, but it also attracts visitors who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
Link Growth Rate
Monitoring the speed at which you acquire links is crucial. A sudden and unnatural increase in the number of links can raise red flags for Google, which could result in penalties.
So, look for organic and constant growth, which indicates healthy and effective link building.
Referral Traffic
At the end of the day, what really matters is how many visitors come to your site thanks to those links. Referral traffic is not only an indicator of the effectiveness of your links, but it can also give you clues as to which sites are sending you the most engaged visitors.
Google Analytics is your friend here, allowing you to track where your visitors are coming from and how engaged they are with your content.
The conversion rate
Perhaps the most important KPI of all is the conversion rate. After all, there’s no point in attracting tons of traffic if those visitors don’t then convert into customers or subscribers.
Keep an eye on how links affect your end goals, whether it’s increasing sales, newsletter signups, downloads of a resource, etc.
The Art of Adapting and Evolving
Like any good journey, the path of link building is full of learning and opportunities for growth. It’s not enough to set your KPIs once and forget about them.
The digital environment is always changing, and what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. That’s why it’s crucial to review and adjust your KPIs and link building strategies regularly.
In conclusion, measuring the success of your link building strategies is a complex, but incredibly rewarding process. KPIs are powerful tools that help you navigate this process, allowing you to fine-tune your strategies and ensure you’re on the right path to business success.
With patience, diligence, and the right link building KPIs in your arsenal, you’ll be able to turn that brilliant idea into a thriving company.
