Run an analysis on your link profile
Run an analysis on your link profile
1. Create a list of the root domains that link back to your website using a link analysis tool like Ahrefs, MOZ, or SEMRush.
The number of linking root domains represents the number of unique websites (domains) that link back to your website. Remember that links are like votes to search engines, so the more websites that link to your website, the better. If you’re using Ahrefs, go to Site Explorer and paste your website’s domain in the search bar, then click on Referring Domains. There you will see all the domains that link back to your website. Export the list to XLS or Google Sheets and sort the list by DR (Domain Rating) if you’re using Ahrefs or DA (Domain Authority) if you’re using MOZ or SEMRush. Look at the top domains by DR or DA. A good link profile should have some recognizable names and a good few links from them. Let’s look at cxl.com as an example. There are many recognizable names in the list of linking root domains and each domain links at least once to cxl.com.
2. Download a list of the pages that link back to your website, using a link analysis tool like Ahrefs, MOZ or SEMRush.
Calculate how many links you got per month over the last year compared to competitors. Build a graph with your links, by domain authority, and see how you compare to competitors. Check what anchor text is most used when other websites link back to yours. Do the same with your top competitors.
3. Finalize your analysis by creating a list of your most linked-to content pages and see what type of content and topics are more likely to attract backlinks.
In Ahrefs, go to Pages > Best by links and type your domain in your search bar. The report you will see is a list of pages by referring domains and backlinks. What you’ll probably get is a long list of pages, with various topics and goals – product pages as well as blog articles. The data at this point is quite messy. Comb through these rows and eliminate irrelevant pages – like shop pages or product pages – and sort the relevant linkable content by format type and topic.