Why Your Business Should Invest in Link Building
Since 2020, the U.S. has been witnessing an unprecedented surge in entrepreneurship. U.S. News highlights that Americans filed approximately 5.5 million applications to start new businesses in 2023 alone. A significant portion of these ventures began as side hustles rather than full-time businesses.
According to a survey by payroll firm Gusto, 44% of entrepreneurs who started a new business in 2023 did so while maintaining other employment, either part-time or full-time. This number is up from 27% in 2022, indicating a growing trend of individuals testing their business ideas while maintaining stability through traditional jobs.
As discussed in a previous post, transitioning from a side hustle to a full-fledged business is one of the most effective ways to achieve financial independence. The internet has made this transition more accessible than ever, with website building platforms like Bluehost and Dreamhost enabling entrepreneurs to create and manage their websites with minimal technical expertise.
However, creating a website is merely the first step. To thrive in a competitive online marketplace, a robust search engine optimization (SEO) strategy is essential for driving organic traffic and converting visitors into loyal customers. Central to this strategy is link building or the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own. Here's why investing in link building is crucial for your business.
Improved search engine rankings
Search engines like Google use backlinks as one of their primary ranking factors. Backlinks act as votes of confidence from other websites, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable, credible, and relevant. According to SEO experts like Google's Gary Illyes, even though link building is no longer the third most important ranking factor, it remains valuable for search engines determining the relevancy of webpages. The more backlinks your website has, the higher it is likely to rank in search engine results pages (SERPs).
A study from Backlinko found that pages ranking in the #1 position on Google have 3.8 times more backlinks than those ranking in positions #2-10. Keep in mind, however, that your backlinks must be of high quality. Otherwise, it could damage your site's credibility. Opt for link building solutions with a rigorous vetting process for link placements. LinkNova states that 90% of URLs crawled based on specific metrics should be throughly analyzed. This approach ensures that your backlinks do not appear spammy. As a result, businesses gain a strong backlink profile that increases domain authority, which further enhances their ability to rank well for competitive keywords.
Increased website traffic
Beyond improving search rankings, backlinks drive direct referral traffic from other websites. When a reputable website links to your content, visitors from that site are more likely to click on the link and visit your page, bringing in a steady flow of potential customers. A recent study from Outreach Monks found that websites with 30-35 backlinks generate over 10,500 visits per month. This demonstrates the direct correlation between high-quality backlinks and increased web traffic.
Additionally, Search Engine Land emphasizes that you can acquire strong backlinks by creating and promoting high-quality content, such as comprehensive guides, industry reports, and unique opinion pieces. This content-based link building approach helps businesses tap into new audiences. For example, if a well-known industry blog links to your website, its readers—who may never have heard of your business—are now exposed to your products or services. This type of organic exposure is far more valuable than paid advertisements, as it builds trust and credibility with potential customers.
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Building brand authority and credibility
Backlinks are not just about improving SEO—they also serve as a powerful brand-building tool. When your business is featured on authoritative websites, it enhances your reputation and positions you as an industry leader. For instance, a 2024 report compiled by SEO AI revealed that content over 3,000 words receives 3.5 times more backlinks than shorter articles. This suggests that in-depth, well-researched content is more likely to be linked to by other websites, reinforcing your authority in your niche.
Additionally, backlinks from high-profile publications, blogs, and industry influencers act as endorsements of your expertise. If a respected website references your content, potential customers are more likely to trust your brand and view your business as a credible source of information. This trust translates into higher customer engagement, increased conversion rates, and stronger brand loyalty.
Better long-term ROI
One of the biggest advantages of link building is its long-term return on investment (ROI). Unlike paid advertisements, which stop driving traffic once the budget runs out, backlinks continue to generate traffic and improve search rankings over time. A strong backlink profile ensures a consistent stream of organic traffic without the need for ongoing ad spend. This makes link building one of the most cost-effective digital marketing strategies available.
Consider this: data from Statista shows that social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube topped rankings as marketing channels for delivering the largest ROI. Yet, 16% of marketers in a HubSpot survey also agreed that SEO is just as effective for propelling online success, ranking it on par with social media. Moreover, the compounding effects of a strong backlink profile mean that as your website gains credibility and authority, it becomes easier to attract even more high-quality backlinks—creating a self-sustaining cycle of growth.
As the entrepreneurial landscape becomes increasingly digital-first, businesses must leverage SEO strategies to stay competitive. Investing in link building is one of the most best ways to enhance search engine rankings, drive organic traffic, and establish brand authority. By securing high-quality backlinks, businesses can achieve long-term visibility, credibility, and revenue growth—all while reducing dependency on paid advertising.
For startups and small businesses looking to scale their operations, link building is not just an option—it’s a necessity. When you prioritize high-quality, strategic link building efforts, you can position your business for sustained success in the digital marketplace.
If you found this article insightful, visit the Beyond Discovery Coaching website for more personalized career coaching and advice on building your business.
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Meet The Writer!
My name is Rosetta Juliana and I have been working in the field of human resources for over ten years. Clearly, my passion lies in identifying how humans form relationships. That's why I've recently taken to working from my laptop while traveling around the world! This allows me to freely form connections with all sorts of people from different backgrounds.
