Just like you, this is a common concern for almost every site owner these days – how to increase domain authority (it’s the term DA for those who measure site growth on MOZ software) and domain rating (DR for those who use Ahrefs software). Well, it feels us pleasure to share that the answer to your question is included in this blog post.
We took a closer look at all the factors that affect this significant metric, as we wanted to increase its value for our website as well.
Without making more delay, let’s tell you how things went and what strategies worked for us in this case.
Increasing Website Domain Authority Is Easy with Proper Planning (Here’s How We Did It)
A year back, we were stuck in the same situation but with a few simple yet strategic moves, we boosted our site’s Domain Rating (DR) score, as you can see our current score in the screenshot:
Before proceeding further, we want to highlight that these methods are applicable across all industries and can be implemented by anyone. However, results may take time.
So, you have to be patient but yes they are certain and will draw nearer if you work the way we suggest consistently.
The steps we took to boost our site’s domain authority:
Step 1. Selected the Right Set of Blog Topics for Our Website
Although we cater to a diverse range of audiences (like B2B, SaaS, B2C) and create content for them, here we would like to highlight how creating content for e-commerce stores specifically boosted our site’s DA score.
First, we created an Ecommerce SEO cluster that included the following fundamental topics:
Covering the given topics helped us establish topical authority in this industry. You can also check out our hub to see the complete list.
Our content strategist planned how to implement internal linking across the blog topics beforehand. The writer who was assigned content creation task ensured doing it properly, and thoughtfully inserted natural anchor text in them.
This is the result of our efforts:
Along with ranking higher for blogs, we also started getting top rankings for the transactional keywords related to services.
At this point, we understood the key to appear in top search results is providing value and choosing the right set of blog posts, that we did and now getting higher ranking and more leads.
Step 2. Improved User Experience Elements on Blog Pages
The second step we implemented on our website was optimizing the elements that impact visitors’ experience and making our site user-friendly as much as we can.
This included three major steps: speed optimization for every site page, website responsiveness (our website can adapt to different screen sizes and provide a seamless experience on smartphones, tablets as well) and removal of table of content section for each blog post.
Let’s explain each step one-by-one in detail!
A. Speed Optimization: We want our site visitors to interact with all the significant content on the page. However, the slow loading speed was disrupting our objective and our user’s experience.
We came to know about this, when we used Google Page Speed Insights and identified the issues that were slowing down our website.
After implementing our site speed optimization strategy, now, you can see the core web vital score of our website:
B. Website Responsiveness: Our target audience may use mobile devices, smartphones or tablets. To help them enjoy a seamless experience, here are the elements we ensured checking:
- We saw if the images used in our blog fit the mobile screen without being cut or distorted.
- We checked the font size we’ve set for the text is good enough to read.
- Also, inspected the CTA buttons on blogs as well as our services page are easy-to-click with thumb.
C. Blog Page Optimization: To enhance the reading experience for our blog visitors, we removed the table of contents, let’s tell you the thought behind this strategic step:
- We wanted our readers to dive straight into the content without distractions and that’s the reason, we decided of deleting the section and simplified the layout.
- Without a table of contents, our blog becomes more visually appealing and less cluttered.
- Moreover, on mobile devices, this section was taking up the valuable space. Removing it ensures the content remains accessible and easy to read on smaller screens.
Outcomes were amazing. We saw a good reduction in the website’s bounce rate and the interested users started scrolling through the entire post.
However, we would also like to mention here that we deleted this section for the posts where it was unnecessary. For some, where it was relevant and necessary to include, we kept it the way as it was.
3. Published Digital Press Release (PRs)
This strategic move helped us increase awareness for our company among target audience and news publications. Along with it, we earned valuable backlinks.
We created newsworthy content, like recently we have started providing white-label link-building solutions for agencies at affordable pricing, so we thought of distributing this news among journalists as well.
To see the right way to cover such kinds of news, you can click the links below and view the complete Press Releases:
- SEO Experts Company India Introduces Affordable White Label Link-Building Solutions for Agencies
- SEO Experts Company India Expands Offerings with Conversion Rate Optimization Services to Drive More Sales in Less Traffic
One tip here we want to share with you is always try to become realistic. This way, you will leverage the power of branding and get featured in news publications efficiently as well.
4. Prioritized Manual Outreach for Guest Post Backlinks
From the beginning, we rely on manual outreach to acquire guest post backlinks, whether for our clients or for our own website.
Our blogger outreach team creates personalized messages that speak directly to each website owner, ensuring our approach is professional, respectful and mutually beneficial.
Here, we are sharing a sample of outreach message created by one of our team members to acquire backlink for our website:
5. Selected the Right Set of Sources for Backlink Acquisition
We always prioritize quality over volume. Just like, you can see how cautiously we send personalized messages to the websites. Similarly, our process for selecting websites is highly-vetted.
We see the following pointers in the site:
- High domain authority score
- Page Authority
- Organic traffic
- Traffic location
- Referring domains
- Performance metrics
- Natural link profile with Do-follow and no-follow links
- Design of the website (as we want to avoid sites that are cluttered with ads, popups, or have slow speed)
- Crawling and indexing status of the site
- Spam Score
When the site pass all the tests, only then we ensure sending a request for backlink acquisition.
6. Did Link Insertions or Niche Edits
Another strategic move that helped us acquire quality backlinks is link insertions. Here, we placed link of our site page that we want to target into existing, high-quality content across relevant websites.
The specificity of these websites is that there were authoritative articles and blog posts that already have good traffic and strong engagement. Our writers ensured placing links only where they actually add value, ensuring the backlink feels natural and contextually appropriate.
Placing relevant links in already valuable and trusted content really helped us boost domain authority for our website.
7. Used Right Link Type and Placed Backlinks on the Right Content
80% of our backlinks were directed to blog content, while the remaining 20% focused on commercial keyword targets. This approach helped us secure more do-follow links from high-authority websites.
Following the strategy implementation this way, we ensure maximize the SEO impact of the backlink acquired to benefit both the linking and receiving websites.
Due to our efforts, finally, we got what we were waiting for, our DA score reached 50.
Common Mistakes That Lower Website Domain Authority (DR) – Check If You’re Making Any of These
Sites often overlook these mistakes, but if they resolve them timely, it can leave a positive impact on the site’s domain authority.
Let’s elaborate!
1. Focussing Only on Quantity of Links
Many sites focus too much on getting as many backlinks as possible. This can be beneficial, but only when they are acquired from relevant and authoritative websites.
Otherwise, links from low-quality and irrelevant sites only hurt the link acquiring website’s DA and, overtime, will prove to be harmful only.
Remember, it’s always about niche relevance and trustworthiness that can help your site’s DA.
2. Not Refreshing Old Content of Your Blogs or Top-Performing Pages
Did this happen to you, a page of your site was top-performing but not getting the traffic and leads as before, now?
Well, there are several reasons for this. One of the most common reasons is content decay. Let’s explain this in simple terms. Content decay is a steady decline in the organic traffic and rankings of a piece of content.
This happens mostly with the sites that prioritize on creating new content, thinking their older content is ranking and will continue doing so.
On the contrary, search engines drag down the pages that neglect updating older pages. So, try keeping your content fresh, relevant and optimized. This will help you maintain your DA score.
3. Overlooking Link Diversity
Search engine algorithms are designed smart enough to catch the sites that are referenced and linked to by the same type of sources or even link types. When a site following this kind of pattern appears (like acquiring backlinks only through guest posting or directory submissions), search engines count them as unnatural.
However, there is a very simple method to earn the credibility and trustworthiness of search engines in such a case. Acquire links from a variety of sources (either blogging sites, forums, press releases and even social media).
Diversity in backlinks show search engine that the website is being referenced across the web.
4. Ignoring the Removal of Toxic Backlinks
For the ones who will say they do not connect to such sites that have bad reputation or harm their rankings. Well, let’s bring some significant facts to your notice.
A few competitors intentionally create toxic backlinks to their rival’s site in order to harm their rankings in the search results, can be called as negative SEO attacks. Such type of links can also be generated if your link-builder uses black-hat SEO practices, without letting you know anything.
To fix this issue, you should periodically audit your backlink profile. You can use the tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush and identify the links from spammy, unrelated or low-authority websites.
In case, you find any of such backlinks, use Google’s Disavow tool to tell the search engine not to consider these links when evaluating your site. In other cases, when you cannot sort the problem this way, you can contact the website owner (from where the toxic link is getting directed) and request them for the removal of the link.
5. Not Using Linkable Assets Effectively
Some sites that focus on basic blog posts or product pages fail to acquire backlinks from other websites as their content lack usefulness and depth.
In whatsoever industry you are, try creating content that adds value to the community. This way, you will create linkable assets which naturally will attract backlinks and boost the authority of your website.
Website Domain Authority (DR) Boost Packages
If you’re looking for a package to increase your website’s Domain Authority (DA) or Domain Rating (DR), here’s what you need to know that we can’t provide a fixed amount upfront. However, you can check our packages here to get an idea of the cost.
The reason behind this is that while determining the amount, we have to consider several factors, like business size, industry competition, your site complexity, your service requirements, geographic targeting and current performance of your site.
When we get clarity on the above-mentioned factors, only then we can inform the right amount. In case, you want to know the package cost for your website, get in touch with us.
FAQs
Q1. What is a good domain authority or domain rating score?
Ans. Well, the definition of ‘good’ here will vary according to the niche, industry, competition and goals. To access the right figure for your site, compare it with your competitor’s domain authority or domain rating score. This will give you the answer.
Q2. Is it possible the domain authority score decreases from its current value?
Ans. Absolutely yes. Let’s take a look at the reasons causing this:
- Important backlinks loss.
- Competitor site gains better backlinks.
- Decreased activity by the website.
- An algorithm update.
Q3. Is there any fast way to boost Domain Authority for a new website?
Ans. The strategies mentioned above can help speed up your domain authority growth. However, it’s important to remember that boosting DA takes time. It may take months before you see noticeable results.
It is a long-term effort, so while working to improve it, you need to have patience and consistency.