What are your go-to first backlinks when launching a new site?

Start with Your Own Digital Assets

The easiest and most controllable first backlinks come from properties you already own or control. If you have existing websites, social media profiles, or business listings, these provide immediate link opportunities. Add your new site to your email signature, link from your established social media accounts, and include it in any existing business directories where you're already listed.

Business Directories and Citations

Local business directories remain one of the most straightforward ways to build initial authority. Start with the major players like Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Apple Maps, and industry-specific directories relevant to your niche. These aren't just backlinks – they're also valuable for local SEO and can drive direct traffic.

For national or international sites, consider general business directories like Yellow Pages, Better Business Bureau (if applicable), and Chamber of Commerce listings. The key is choosing reputable directories that actual users visit, not just link farms.

Resource Page Outreach

Look for resource pages in your industry that list helpful websites, tools, or services. These pages are specifically designed to link out to valuable resources, making them more receptive to quality submissions. Use search operators like "your keyword + resources" or "your industry + useful links" to find these opportunities.

When reaching out, focus on how your site adds value to their existing list rather than what you'll gain from the link.

Guest Posting on Smaller, Relevant Sites

While high-authority guest posting can be competitive, smaller niche sites are often more accessible and equally valuable for a new website. Look for blogs in your industry that accept guest contributors and have engaged audiences, even if their domain authority isn't sky-high.

The content quality matters more than the site's authority at this stage. A well-written guest post on a smaller, relevant site can drive targeted traffic and establish credibility in your niche.

HARO and Similar Services

Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and similar journalist query services can provide high-quality backlinks from news sites and blogs. While not guaranteed, responding to relevant queries with genuine expertise can land you authoritative links that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

Set up alerts for your industry keywords and respond quickly with concise, helpful information. The key is providing real value rather than trying to pitch your business.

Social Media and Web 2.0 Properties

Create profiles on relevant social media platforms, not just for the links but for the complete digital presence they provide. Include platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and industry-specific networks. While these are typically nofollow links, they contribute to your overall online footprint and can drive traffic.

Consider creating profiles on platforms like Medium, Reddit (where appropriate), or industry forums where you can genuinely contribute to discussions while occasionally linking to relevant content on your site.

Partner and Supplier Networks

If you have business relationships with partners, suppliers, or clients, these can provide natural linking opportunities. Many businesses have partner pages or supplier directories where they list companies they work with. These links carry added weight because they represent real business relationships.

Important Considerations

Remember that link velocity matters for new sites. Building too many links too quickly can appear unnatural. Focus on 5-10 high-quality, diverse backlinks in your first month rather than hundreds of low-quality ones.

Quality trumps quantity, especially early on. A few relevant, authoritative links will provide more SEO value than dozens of irrelevant directory listings. Each link should make sense from a user perspective – if someone clicking the link would find value in your site, it's probably a good backlink to pursue.

Finally, document your efforts and track results. This helps you understand which strategies work best for your specific industry and site, allowing you to refine your approach as you scale your link building efforts.