When it comes to establishing your website as a reputable and trustworthy source of information for users, there are a number of areas that you need to focus on. One of those is SEO, while another is building and increasing your website’s domain authority. Strong domain authority not only boosts your website's credibility but also plays a pivotal role in its search engine rankings. Whether you are a seasoned webmaster or new to the digital realm, this post will provide you with insights and strategies to improve your website's authority in the eyes of search engines and users alike.

What is domain authority?

It predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). A higher score suggests a greater potential to rank, whereas a lower score indicates a need for improvement. These third party metrics are calculated by evaluating multiple factors, including the quality and quantity of backlinks, the site's age, and its popularity. It's important to note that they are metrics which are not actually used by Google in determining search rankings, but instead they provide a good indicator of a website's strength when it comes to search engine performance.

As mentioned before, your domain authority is largely influenced by the number of websites that link back to you - but more importantly the quality and reputation of those sites. Essentially, its a metric that can give an idea of how trustworthy and authoritative a website is. If several reputable websites link to another website, then this gives an idea that the website being linked to is a valuable source of information.

Why does domain authority matter?

So, what’s the point of all this and why does it matter to you?

Well, backlinks are a key component of any SEO strategy. If you can get a reputable website to link to your site, this can result in significant amounts of referral traffic - not to mention, it demonstrates to search engines that your site is viewed as a high quality and trustworthy source of information.

Websites that are considered to be trustworthy and valuable sources of information are more likely to rank well in search engine results for relevant terms - which in turn will also bring more organic traffic to the site.

How to increase website domain authority

With all that in mind, what can you do to increase and improve the authority of your website?

1. Create high quality content that is 'link worthy'

Prioritise creating high-quality content that naturally attracts backlinks. This means producing informative, engaging, and valuable articles, blog posts, or resources that others in your industry will want to reference. Ensure your content is unique, well-researched, and offers insights or solutions not readily available elsewhere. Consider what questions your audience is asking and tailor your content to answer these queries comprehensively. This approach not only draws organic traffic but encourages other websites to link to your content as a reliable source, thereby boosting your domain authority.

2. Reach out to other website owners

Networking is key in the digital world. Start by identifying websites and blogs that align with your niche. Reach out to these site owners with a personalised approach, highlighting mutual benefits. Share your high-quality content with them and suggest where it might add value to their site. Remember, the goal is not just to get a backlink, but to establish long-term relationships that can lead to regular cross-promotion. This strategy can help in gaining authoritative backlinks and in turn enhance your website's domain authority.

3. Keep an eye out for bad links

Monitoring your backlink profile is crucial in maintaining a healthy domain authority. Regularly check for and disavow bad links – these are links from spammy or irrelevant websites that can negatively impact your site's reputation. Use tools like Google's Search Console to keep track of your backlink profile. If you find links from questionable sources, take steps to have them removed or disavowed. This proactive approach in cleaning up your backlink profile can significantly aid in boosting and preserving your website's domain authority.

Looking for support to optimise your website?

At Social Loop we offer comprehensive SEO services to businesses and websites of all sizes. If you are looking to learn more about how we can improve your website and increase the levels of organic traffic you are receiving, get in touch today.