Creating backlinks, which are links from one website to another, is a fundamental aspect of search engine optimization (SEO). They act as a “vote of confidence” from one site to another, indicating to search engines that the content is valuable, credible, and useful. However, the quality, relevance, and manner in which these backlinks are acquired significantly influence their effectiveness.
Google My Business – Extremely important for local SEO and getting found on Google maps/search. Allows you to manage your business info and listings.
Apple Maps – Similar to Google My Business but for Apple platforms. Manages listings on Apple Maps.
Bing Places – Manages listings on Bing maps/search. Important for Bing presence. As Bing is on the rise again, it’s important to pay attention to Bing and where it’s going.
Best 5 – Canadian business directory with focus on reviews and rankings. Good for reputation and search visibility. The system is built for Canadian websites and breaks down listings by categories and communities.
Reviews On My Website – Leverages positive reviews and high ratings from leading online review sites, boosting your website’s visibility and search ranking. Their system ensures a steady flow of fresh reviews, and engaging customers longer.
Upcity – Upcity connects businesses to service providers they can trust with an index of more than 50,000 listed providers.
Factual – Collects and syndicates business listing data. Listing here can improve visibility.
n49 – Canadian local search directory. Drives traffic and citations.
Cylex, Websites.ca, Brownbook – General Canadian business directories good for backlinks and citations.
Opendi, GoldBook.ca – Additional Canadian business directories.
CanadaOne, ProfileCanada, 2FindLocal – More Canadian directories to increase visibility.
Fyple, OurBis – Fyple focuses on UK/Ireland but drives citations. OurBis is Canadian.
Lacartes.com, MisterWhat, TheBlurb, FoundLocally, CanadianPlanet, Tupalo, Find-Open, iBegin, Cybo – More general directories and citation sources to increase reach.
Think Local Victoria – Looking for local shoppers? Pay for a membership and add your site to the Think Local.
Crunch Base – Crunchbase is a prospecting platform that helps dealmakers in sales, marketing, finance, recruiting, and executive leadership roles to find and engage with qualified accounts.
VIATEC – Industry association for tech companies in Victoria, BC. Good for networking, events, talent recruitment if you are a tech business.
You’re Missing Links!
We didn’t include some backlink sources, including some that people often go to. In a few cases, we didn’t want to repeat what other lists mention. In other cases, we left off backlink sources that haven’t been playing fair with their customers and site visitors. If they’re not on this list, we can’t recommend them.
Why Are Backlinks Important?
Why are people using reputable sites for backlinking?
- Boosts Search Engine Rankings: Quality backlinks from reputable sites signal to search engines like Google that your website is also reputable and offers valuable content, which can improve your site’s search engine rankings.
- Increases Website Traffic: By securing backlinks on well-trafficked sites, you can drive more direct traffic to your website. Users interested in related content may follow these backlinks to your site, increasing your organic traffic.
- Improves Website Authority: Backlinks from authoritative and relevant sites can enhance your site’s authority in your niche or industry. High domain authority websites passing on link equity can significantly boost your site’s perceived expertise and trustworthiness.
- Enhances Brand Visibility and Recognition: Featuring your website on prominent sites through backlinks can increase your brand’s visibility and recognition within your industry, making your site more known to potential visitors or customers.
- Supports Networking and Relationships: Engaging with other website owners to create backlink opportunities can foster professional relationships and networking within your industry, which can be beneficial for future collaborations or endorsements.
- Encourages Content Improvement and Innovation: The need to create link-worthy content encourages website owners to produce high-quality, innovative, and valuable content, which not only attracts backlinks but also enhances the user experience.
- Long-Term Advantages: Unlike paid advertising, the benefits of backlinks can be long-lasting. Once a backlink is established, it can continue to drive traffic and improve SEO for as long as the linking page is active.
Can’t Buy Me Love: Should You Pay For Backlinks?
Evaluating the decision to invest in paid listings on directory sites requires careful consideration. Many of these platforms offer both free and premium options, with the latter often promising enhanced visibility, express speed of listing inclusion, guaranteed page views, or other perks. In some cases, a site might charge a membership fee in exchange for additional benefits. It’s crucial to weigh these options against your specific marketing goals, target audience, and the overall potential for increased exposure.
In many instances, opting for the free listing can be just as effective, especially if it includes the essential citation and a link back to your website. The key is to ensure your business is discoverable to your intended audience without necessarily paying for premium placements.
It’s important to be cautious about the practice of reciprocal linking, where a directory site might require you to link back to them in exchange for a listing. This tactic can dilute your site’s link quality and may not align with best SEO practices. Focus on directories that add real value to your online presence and avoid those that merely seek to exchange links for the sake of boosting their own link profile.
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Not all backlinks are created equal. Backlinks from reputable, relevant sites within your niche are far more valuable than those from low-quality, spammy, or irrelevant sites. Moreover, search engines like Google have become adept at identifying and penalizing manipulative backlink strategies, such as buying backlinks or participating in link farms. The focus should always be on acquiring backlinks in an ethical and sustainable manner, prioritizing quality and relevance over quantity.