When I decided to check the site’s performance on Ahrefs the day after Christmas (because let’s face it, we all need a break from family time), I was taken aback by what I saw on the traffic graph. At first, I thought it was some glitch—there was a steep upward line indicating a level of traffic that seemed utterly implausible for the site at that particular time, especially considering its rankings just a few days prior. Achieving a 111x Increase in Traffic
It turned out that Santa had left me one final gift. Overnight, the site’s primary keyword had catapulted from #7 to #1, resulting in a staggering 2,000% surge in traffic. All those months of dedicated link building had finally paid off handsomely.
And to clarify, there were no shortcuts like a 301-redirect involved.
It appears that Google still highly values the fundamentals of SEO and quality link building, rewarding them generously.
What Does This Case Study Cover? Achieving a 111x Increase in Traffic
Analysis of off-page SEO involves evaluating link building strategies, execution, backlink diversity, anchor text variation, and the utilization of exact match domains (EMDs) to enhance website visibility and ranking.
Exclusions from Coverage:
In website optimization, 301-redirects are crucial for directing traffic efficiently. On-page SEO involves optimizing individual web pages to enhance their search engine rankings. Technical SEO focuses on improving the technical aspects of a website for better visibility. Keyword research and content strategy play pivotal roles in driving targeted traffic. Monetization strategies and conversion rate optimization (CRO) are essential for maximizing revenue and enhancing user experience.
Background of the Website Achieving a 111x Increase in Traffic
To begin, it’s important to clarify that the website in question belongs to one of our clients, not our own. Therefore, our involvement was primarily focused on link building while the client managed other aspects of SEO independently.
During the four-month period covered in this case study, our efforts were concentrated on adding backlinks to the client’s website. Minimal alterations were made to the site itself, with the primary emphasis being on enhancing its backlink profile.
Due to client confidentiality and security protocols, we refrain from disclosing any identifying information about the website. This practice extends to both client-owned and our own sites, prioritizing privacy and security at all times.
The website operates within the business and government niches, and the keyword competition, as assessed by Ahrefs, is categorized as “hard.” Ahrefs estimated that surpassing the competition on the first page would necessitate acquiring over 200 Referring Domains.
An examination of the metrics of websites ranking on the first page for our target keyword reveals a formidable landscape. Some top-ranking sites boast thousands of Referring Domains, and the presence of a government site further intensifies the competition.
However, it’s worth noting that the client’s website utilizes an Exact Match Domain (EMD), meaning the domain name precisely matches the target keyword. This inherent alignment potentially provides an advantage, coupled with the website’s overall focus on the keyword.
Overall, our strategy focused on leveraging link building to enhance the client’s SEO performance within a challenging and competitive landscape.
Analysis of SEO Initialization and Off-Page Optimization
Upon the client’s enrollment in our Managed Link Building Program, we conducted a thorough evaluation of their website’s condition and past SEO endeavors, consistent with our protocol for new domains or sites. Here’s what we discovered:
The site, although small and niche-oriented, boasted about 15 indexed pages on Google. Its on-page optimization was commendable, with strategically placed keywords without excessive use. The content exhibited high quality, and despite being relatively new, it had garnered approximately 26 Referring Domains within nine months. Despite its low Domain Rating of 1.7, which is expected with such a modest number of Referring Domains, Ahrefs indicated that the site was already ranking for approximately 325 keywords.
Analyzing the site’s initial metrics, we observed positive trends in both keywords and traffic, indicating a healthy trajectory. Despite its fledgling status, the site was gaining Google’s trust and beginning to rank for various keywords. The existing backlink profile appeared relatively clean, comprising primarily white hat links such as directories, guest posts, and some PBN links, with overall relevance. However, we noted a slightly aggressive anchor text distribution, particularly concerning the use of money anchors, albeit somewhat mitigated by the site’s EMD status.
Although the site was beginning to surface for its target keywords. Its current positions were less than desirable, with the main keyword languishing on page 6 of search results. Notably, most of the existing backlinks were directed towards the homepage, a positive aspect. Overall, the site presented a promising outlook, characterized by a well-structured, niche-focused approach, coupled with clean on-page elements and a relatively pristine backlink profile.
In summary, sites like this are highly valued in our MLB program due to their cleanliness, focus. And absence of detrimental factors like messy on-page elements or overly aggressive link profiles.
Our Proposed Approach to Building Links Achieving a 111x Increase in Traffic
We decided to take a cautious approach by initially focusing on building links primarily to the homepage using natural anchors. Since the website was still in the early stages of its link building efforts and gradually gaining trust with Google. We wanted to adhere to best practices for linking.
By directing links to the homepage with natural anchor texts, we aimed to address any potential over-optimization issues. Continue bolstering the site’s authority, and establish a solid foundation for more assertive link building strategies in the future once greater trust had been established.
Given that the site had an Exact Match Domain (EMD), prioritizing URL and branded anchors for the homepage was akin to using money anchors but with lower risk. Hence, we intended to incorporate a significant portion of these anchor types to leverage this advantage.
In the initial stages, we planned to engage in some pillow linking activities, focusing on simple. Foundational, and white-hat link types to ensure a well-rounded and diversified link profile. This approach would also contribute to anchor text diversification.
Subsequently, our primary tactics would involve guest posts, niche edits, and potentially a few private blog networks (PBNs). We aimed to vary the authority levels of these links while ensuring relevance to the site’s content.
Over time, we would gradually increase the aggressiveness of our anchor text selection and target pages. Expanding beyond the homepage to include inner pages and incorporating more non-URL money anchors.
Regular site analysis at the beginning of each month would guide our link building efforts, allowing us to adjust strategies based on the site’s performance. If necessary, we would implement additional pillow linking or anchor text dilution to maintain a balanced approach.
Regarding the Backlinks Utilized Achieving a 111x Increase in Traffic
At the onset of each month, we initiated the ordering process for links, which extended sporadically throughout the month. However, in numerous instances, the link building was completed only towards the end of the month. This timeline, coupled with the indexing delay of links and their subsequent impact. Sometimes posed challenges in precisely attributing the analyzed results to specific link orders.
Our dedicated teams meticulously crafted all the backlinks utilized in this case study, all of which are available for purchase on our platform. If you possess the resources, expertise, and time, you can undertake similar backlink building strategies independently. Alternatively, you have the option to procure comparable links from reputable vendors elsewhere.
For clarity, I’ll provide concise descriptions of the various link types and packages employed to elucidate our strategic choices. However, should you require further understanding of any particular backlink type, comprehensive information is accessible here.
Achieving a 111x Increase in Traffic
Throughout the entire four-month duration, our expenditure totaled approximately $5,000. It’s worth noting that the client’s budget fluctuated on a monthly basis. Leading to variations in the intensity of link building across different months. It’s essential to underscore that these adjustments were driven solely by the client’s preferences, not ours.
First Month
In the initial month of link building, the strategy focused on bolstering the site’s profile through a combination of naturalness-building and increased relevance and authority. With a budget of $700, various tactics were employed to achieve this.
To start, a portion of the budget was allocated towards a pillow links pack, consisting of 30 white-hat links aimed at diversifying the link and anchor profile. These included citations, niche directories, web 2.0’s, and forum/social profiles, utilizing branded, URL, and generic anchors.
Additionally, a social signals pack was utilized to create buzz across social media platforms at a minimal cost.
The majority of the budget was then directed towards a niche edits pack and a guest post. The “Level 5” niche edits pack provided three links from relevant domains with substantial authority, boasting 800-1,200 referring domains each. Complementing this, a guest post was secured from a mid-authority domain with a DR (Domain Rating) of 20-35.
These two strategies were chosen to leverage their respective strengths: the niche edits pack for boosting authority and the guest post for supplying targeted relevance through carefully curated content.
Second Month
Following a successful first month of building, the client expressed satisfaction as their primary keyword surged from page 6 to #11, edging closer to the coveted first page of search results. Alongside their feedback, they shared a screenshot illustrating the ranking improvements.
In addition, an analysis of the site’s performance via Ahrefs showcased promising results. Traffic had nearly doubled, albeit from a relatively low starting point. And the site was gaining traction for approximately 20% more keywords. Notably, Google was exhibiting a growing understanding of the site’s relevance and purpose, indicating a positive trend in trust building with the search engine.
Building upon this progress, the focus for the second month’s link building strategy remained on bolstering authority and relevance to the homepage. Building on the successes of the initial phase, the aim was to sustain and enhance the positive trajectory.
With a budget of $1,000 allocated for the month, the approach involved a strategic selection of backlinks. Although the total number of links was smaller compared to the previous month, the emphasis was on securing higher authority backlinks, with no allocation for pillowing. Moreover, the client had slightly increased their budget, reflecting their confidence in the ongoing strategy.
The link-building plan for the second month included another round of “Level 5” niche edits pack, featuring links from domains boasting 800-1200 Referring Domains (RD). Additionally, three guest posts were incorporated, each offering higher authority than those secured in the preceding month.
This approach struck a balance between authority and relevance while ensuring diversity within the link profile. By leveraging both guest posts and niche edits, each with its distinct characteristics (such as new versus aged), the strategy aimed to mitigate uniformity in the link profile.
Third Month
In the third month of our link building efforts, we observed steady progress, although not as dramatic as the initial month. Traffic and keyword rankings were still on an upward trajectory, with traffic increasing by approximately 35% and keywords by around 32% compared to the previous month.
Our keyword tracker revealed some fluctuations, with certain terms bouncing in and out of page 1, indicating volatility in the rankings. While volatility might raise concerns for some, in the realm of link building, it often precedes significant improvements. We understood this pattern well and remained confident in our strategy, despite the client expressing some apprehension about the slower pace of gains compared to the first month. Achieving a 111x Increase in Traffic
As seasoned SEO professionals, we recognized that breaking into page 1 of search results is where the real challenge begins, especially when competing against authoritative websites with substantial backlink profiles. With our site still trailing in referring domains compared to competitors on page 1, our focus shifted to accumulating authority.
For this month’s link building activities, we allocated a budget of $1,500, opting to prioritize niche edits over guest posts due to their cost-effectiveness in boosting authority. We chose a Level 6 pack for high-authority niche edits, complemented by Level 5 and Level 2 packs for a varied backlink profile. Additionally, we incorporated a single PBN link strategically to introduce diversity and leverage its significant power without compromising safety.
To maintain a natural link profile, we supplemented our efforts with social signals, albeit with minimal allocation from the budget. Anchors were diversified this time, incorporating fewer branded or URL anchors and emphasizing long-tail, generic, and geo-relevant anchors to enhance relevance and organic growth.
Month 4
In the fourth month of our link-building campaign, we anticipated modest results. Given our focus on closing the authority gap to enhance competitiveness with higher-ranking sites. As expected, progress was incremental, with our site’s positioning remaining steady.
Our traffic increased by approximately 30% compared to the previous month and had surged by 300% since the inception of our link-building efforts. Similarly, keyword rankings saw a 15% uptick from the prior month and had grown by 76% overall since we began.
Moving forward, our strategy for the fourth month entailed intensifying efforts to bolster the authority of our homepage while diversifying our link profile. With a budget of $2,000 (effectively $2,500 due to a promotional discount), we prioritized high-authority guest posts. Leveraging strong anchors to maximize their impact.
Additionally, we incorporated a set of high-authority niche edits targeting inner pages, aimed at promoting new keywords with optimized anchors. To further diversify our anchor text distribution, we allocated a portion of the budget to a Barrage niche edits pack, consisting of numerous lower-authority links.
These more economical links allowed us to introduce a variety of generic and branded anchors, enhancing the natural appearance of our link profile.
Month 5
After four months of dedicated efforts, we witnessed significant progress with our main keyword landing consistently on the first page of search results, experiencing a remarkable spike in traffic. This success, coupled with a continuous increase in keyword rankings and a nearly doubled traffic volume. Fueled our motivation to persist in our backlink building endeavors.
However, just as we were in the midst of finalizing our backlink strategy. Our anticipation was pleasantly disrupted – the main keyword surged to the coveted #1 position in search rankings. This achievement not only marked a monumental milestone but also triggered an overnight explosion in traffic. Catapulting our numbers to an astonishing 2,000% increase since the outset of our campaign.
Furthermore, the simultaneous rise in rankings for other relevant keywords contributed to our site’s exponential growth. Doubling the number of keywords it ranked for compared to our initial standings. Despite our site’s relatively modest metrics in terms of links, referring domains, and overall authority compared to other top-ranking competitors. We proudly secured the prime position atop the SERP.
It has been nearly a month since this development, and the primary keyword maintains its stronghold at the number one position without showing any signs of relinquishing its spot.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that this success is limited to just one keyword. There remains a wealth of untapped traffic awaiting exploration.
Our strategy now involves actively building links aimed at boosting the rankings for other significant keywords, thereby attracting additional targeted traffic to the website. Moreover, the site owner has taken initiative to revitalize their blog, introducing fresh content that can also contribute to improved rankings.
In reflection, what insights have we gained from this experience?
Link building continues to be an immensely potent asset.
When implemented effectively, you can surpass websites with significantly more links than yours, and a substantial number of PBN links isn’t always necessary (though they can certainly be beneficial!). Success can be achieved through various approaches tailored to individual needs.
Embracing a Variety of Perspectives Achieving a 111x Increase in Traffic
Ensuring diversity in both link types and anchor text is crucial. By adhering to this principle, your backlink profile and anchor text usage mimic natural patterns. Reducing the risk of penalties and keeping your website safe.
EMD (Empirical Mode Decomposition) remains highly potent.
Although we typically avoid utilizing certain tactics, they can be leveraged effectively for sniping competitive terms with greater efficiency. By constructing numerous branded and URL anchors to these domains, their potential can be maximized.
Authority functions as a barrier, yet there are strategies to surmount it. By employing relevance, varied anchor texts, diverse link types, domain selection, on-page optimization. And similar techniques, it’s possible to bypass significant authority with fewer links than anticipated.
Significance, significance, significance
While it’s not necessary for every link to be hyper-focused on relevance, it’s ideal for the majority to be relevant, at least within the same niche. Ultimately, the tactics employed should adhere to fundamental link-building principles and best practices. We haven’t resorted to unconventional or overly aggressive methods, and typically, such extremes aren’t necessary. These strategies are crucial for maintaining financial stability, improving rankings, and ensuring the overall health of your websites.
If these strategies aren’t already integral to your approach, they should be, for the sake of your finances, rankings, and site integrity. For more insights into our SEO tactics, delve into Nick’s affiliate marketing case study next!
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