by The Computing Australia Group | Boost Rankings with
Inbound Links
In the world of search engine optimisation (SEO), one factor continues to reign supreme even as algorithms evolve: inbound links. Also known as backlinks, these are digital endorsements from other websites that tell Google, “This content is trustworthy, useful, and worth ranking.”
Many small businesses skip link building because it seems like too much work. That’s a mistake. Inbound links are still a top Google ranking signal. Done right, high-quality inbound links bring steady organic traffic, lift your site’s authority, and build brand credibility.
In this guide, our Perth SEO specialists at The Computing Australia Group break down everything you need to know about inbound links-what they are, why they matter, and how to build them strategically without violating Google’s guidelines.
What Is Link Building?
Link building is the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites that point to your own. These hyperlinks-commonly known simply as “links”-connect different pages on the internet.
For users, links make navigation seamless. For search engines, links are a roadmap that allows crawlers to discover and index content efficiently.
When your website is linked by other trusted sources, it tells search engines that your content holds value. Over time, these links help to:
- Improve your domain authority (a measure of your website’s overall trustworthiness).
- Increase referral traffic from other websites.
- Boost search engine rankings for targeted keywords.
In short, link building is both an SEO necessity and a credibility booster.
What Are Inbound Links (Backlinks)?
Inbound links (or backlinks) are links from external websites that point to your site. For example, if a local news portal links to your business website when referencing your insights, that’s an inbound link for you.
Not all inbound links are equal, though. A backlink from an authoritative site like ABC News carries more SEO value than one from a random personal blog. Similarly, links from relevant industry websites are more beneficial than unrelated ones.
The SEO Science Behind Inbound Links
Google’s algorithms assess links using three primary metrics:
1. Authority: How credible and established is the linking website?
2. Relevance: Is the linking content topically related to your page?
3. Diversity: Do the links come from a variety of unique, trustworthy domains?
The more high-quality inbound links you earn from relevant, authoritative websites, the stronger your website becomes in Google’s eyes.
Why Inbound Links Matter More Than Ever in 2025
In today’s search landscape-dominated by AI-driven updates, E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) signals, and user intent-inbound links play a pivotal role in proving content authenticity.
Here’s why inbound links continue to be vital:
- Build trust and credibility: Google rewards websites that others vouch for.
- Drive referral traffic: Each inbound link can funnel new visitors directly from another website.
- Strengthen topical authority: Links from industry-related sites reinforce your expertise in your niche.
- Support faster indexing: Search engines follow backlinks to discover and index your pages more quickly.
- Improve local SEO: Links from local directories and partner organisations enhance visibility in regional searches (critical for Perth-based businesses).
How to Earn High-Quality Inbound Links (The Right Way)
Building inbound links takes time, strategy, and persistence. Shortcuts-like buying links or participating in link farms-can do more harm than good and risk a Google penalty.
Instead, focus on earning backlinks organically through quality content, authentic outreach, and long-term relationships.
Here’s how to do it the right way.
1. Create Link-Worthy Content (Because Content Is Still King)
No link-building strategy works without great content. Websites only link to valuable resources-something their readers will appreciate.
To attract organic backlinks:
- Publish in-depth, authoritative blogs on trending topics within your industry.
- Offer actionable insights, statistics, and guides that other sites can cite as a source.
- Regularly update old content so your information remains relevant.
- Use data and original research. Studies and reports are powerful backlink magnets.
2. Find and Fix Broken Links
Broken links frustrate users and weaken SEO. But they also present an opportunity for “broken link building”-one of the most effective, white-hat tactics in modern SEO.
Here’s how:
1. Use tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or Semrush to find broken external links related to your niche.
2. Reach out to the site owner or editor, letting them know the link is broken.
3. Suggest replacing it with your own relevant content.
It’s a win-win: the website owner fixes a poor user experience, and you earn a new inbound link.
3. Use Visual Content to Attract Links Naturally
Visual assets like infographics, charts, illustrations, and videos tend to generate more backlinks than text alone. They’re shareable, easy to digest, and often reused by other creators-who will cite your site as the original source.
Examples of visual link magnets:
- Industry statistics visualised in charts.
- Step-by-step infographics.
- Data visualisations from original research.
- Short explainer videos hosted on YouTube and embedded on your website.
4. Leverage Customer Testimonials and Case Studies
Testimonials and case studies don’t just build trust with potential customers-they can earn inbound links, too.
Ways to leverage them:
- Publish detailed case studies showcasing how your services helped clients achieve measurable results. Clients often share these on their websites or LinkedIn profiles, linking back to your page.
- Offer testimonials for partner businesses or tools you use. Many companies feature client reviews on their websites with a link to your business.
These create authentic, mutually beneficial backlinks that strengthen relationships and SEO simultaneously.
5. Announce Partnerships and Collaborations Through Press Releases
When your business partners with another reputable organisation, make sure both parties promote the news online.
A well-crafted press release or joint announcement blog post that includes a backlink to your website can drive strong referral traffic and boost domain authority.
Ensure your company name or brand is hyperlinked within the news piece, and try to have the announcement distributed through trusted media or local business publications.
6. Guest Blogging on Relevant Industry Sites
Guest blogging remains a reliable method for earning high-quality backlinks-when done right.
Focus on:
- Industry relevance: Write for sites related to your niche, not random blogs.
- Value-first approach: Offer educational, actionable, and well-written insights.
- Author bio optimisation: Include a natural backlink to your main site or resource page.
Avoid mass guest-post networks or “write for us” farms-they’re often low-quality and risk penalties.
7. Build Relationships, Not Just Links
The best backlinks come from real connections. Networking with journalists, bloggers, industry influencers, and associations leads to long-term opportunities for collaboration and mentions.
Ways to build relationships that lead to inbound links:
- Engage with industry peers on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).
- Contribute expert quotes to digital publications via HARO (Help A Reporter Out) or SourceBottle.
- Sponsor or speak at local events and get linked through event partner pages.
Remember: relationships build reputation, and reputation builds links.
8. Leverage Business Directories and Local Citations
If you operate in Perth or Western Australia, local SEO plays a major role in your visibility.
Submitting your business to reputable local directories and industry associations can earn valuable inbound links while boosting your Google Business Profile visibility.
Examples include:
- Perth Chamber of Commerce listings.
- Local government supplier directories.
- Niche-specific associations (e.g., IT, construction, real estate).
Make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information is consistent across all listings.
9. Promote Your Content on Social and Industry Platforms
While social media links are typically nofollow (they don’t directly transfer link equity), they still increase content exposure, which can attract natural backlinks.
- Share your best content across LinkedIn, Reddit, and niche communities.
- Engage in relevant discussions and provide value before dropping your link.
- Encourage your employees and customers to share your content organically.
Visibility fuels virality-and virality leads to backlinks.
Measuring the Success of Your Inbound Link Strategy
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Use SEO tools to track your backlink performance and identify what’s working.
Key metrics to monitor:
- Number of referring domains: More unique domains indicate stronger authority.
- Domain Rating (DR) or Domain Authority (DA): Track improvements using tools like Ahrefs or Moz.
- Anchor text distribution: Ensure backlinks use natural and relevant anchor text, not keyword stuffing.
- Referral traffic: Check how many visitors come from backlinks via Google Analytics.
- Link velocity: Monitor how quickly you’re gaining links-steady growth is ideal; sudden spikes can look spammy.
Avoid These Common Link-Building Mistakes
Even experienced marketers make link-building missteps. Avoid the following to protect your rankings:
- Buying backlinks or using “guaranteed link packages.”
- Link exchanges (you link me, I link you).
- Over-optimised anchor text.
- Irrelevant or spammy directories.
- Ignoring nofollow vs dofollow attributes.
Google’s algorithm is smarter than ever-focus on authenticity, not shortcuts.
The Bottom Line: Inbound Links Are Still the Lifeblood of SEO
Inbound links remain one of the strongest signals of trust, relevance, and authority for search engines. They can dramatically improve your website’s visibility, attract qualified leads, and solidify your reputation in your niche-when done the right way.
If you need expert help creating a sustainable link-building strategy, The Computing Australia Group can help. Our Perth-based SEO team combines data-driven strategies with ethical link-building practices to grow your traffic and rankings-safely and effectively.
Jargon Buster
Off-page SEO: Actions taken away from your website to improve the rankings are called off-page SEO.
Broken links: A link is said to be broken when clicking on the URL does not take the visitor to the page, and instead, a page not found message is displayed.
Off-page SEO: Actions taken outside your website to improve SERP rankings.
FAQ
What are inbound links?
How do backlinks boost SEO?
What makes a good backlink?
A strong backlink comes from an authoritative, relevant site using natural anchor text-not spammy or paid links.
