Build More Links With a Deep Linking Strategy
One of the more common bits of knowledge in the SEO business is the high degree of importance placed on external links that point to your page. The more links directing internet users to your page, the more ‘votes’ or strength your page enjoys with respect to the search engines. The more ‘votes’, the better your page ranking on search engine results.
There are many ways to set those links however, and some methods have proven highly effective in both directing new reader traffic your way, but also in improving your placement on search results. Setting these links either in blog comments or articles marketed to directories and other blog sites requires some thought. Most SEO efforts focus on setting links to the main landing page, but miss huge opportunities to focus link attention elsewhere in their web environment.
“Deep Linking” Web environments are usually comprised of several pages, including the main landing page as well as other detail pages. Organizations will frequently include product pages or pages that are dedicated to a specific product group or family. Optimizing the product page for a unique set of keywords and terms related to the product can attract additional traffic from the internet search engines. Linking directly to these pages is termed a ‘deep link.’
For example, a small business providing something like motor scooters and parts might then also have an ancillary business selling things like clothing, helmets and safety gear made for those that ride motor scooters. The savvy businessperson would then build a page in support of that product line and optimize it for terms like “motor scooter safety gear” or “scooter helmets.” This leaves the main page to serve terms similar to “Motor Scooters in Seattle.”
Advantages of Deep Linking As many small business owners only pay attention to traffic to the main page, deep linking can offer many additional opportunities for attracting readers that are interested in specific product and services. Optimizing product pages and setting ‘deep links’ then allows the owner to compete for viewers and customers interested in that specific line of product. Search engines then understand some of the detail included in the business website as well because the pages, links and anchor text can all be configured to communicate the same product message.
Some newer enterprises have adopted the strategy of setting ‘deep links’ prior to engaging in a campaign to set links for their main page. By exploiting a small product niche, the company is able to attract some viewers, build some familiarity with the search engines and then go after more competitive phrases with their main pages. This seems to be the reverse of standard SEO methodology, but has been known to produce results.
Setting Anchor Text for a Deep Link Setting deep links really is no different as setting links to the main landing page. The first task is to identify useful keywords and phrases, optimize the ‘on page’ elements including title, tags and content. After that, external links directly to that page are set using anchor text that mirrors the selected keyword phrases. Because the keyword phrases for a deep linked page will be quite different from those selected for your main page, this expands the opportunity to reach customers searching for different information. (Of course this sounds much easier in concept than it is to implement. The time required to execute an SEO campaign can be significant. )
When blogging or embedding links in articles, use those same keywords to label the link. In other words, a link similar to “scooter safety helmets” that pointed to the scooter safety helmet page that contained the “scooter safety helmet” phrase in the page header and within the content, will help search engines understand that the page has information on scooter safety helmets.
Linking directly to the product pages is an important aspect of effective Search Engine Optimization. Most article posting sites allow the author to set a link or two within the text or within an author’s box. When others publish your page, they also publish your links, so article distribution can greatly enhance the number of links out in the universe that point to places on your website. One has to be a bit creative about wording and working in the anchor text to the content of a blog post or article. But once done, those deep links can generate significant traffic and sales over time.
SEO Consultants Denver design and create unique SEO plans to assist organizations increase revenue and drive up sales. For more information, please visit the SEO home home page or review the Denver SEO Consultants Blog. Start earning more income today!
