Backlinking Strategy: Need Feedback

My Proposed Strategy​

1. Source expired domains with relevant local focus (e.g., London-focused domains for London plumbing clients)
2. Evaluate the backlink profile of each expired domain (checking for quality, spam signals, authoritative links)
3. Create a simple one-page website with content aligned to the domain's original purpose, naturally incorporating client links
4. Repeat with additional expired domains to build a network

Questions About Automation Tools​

Shabzy said:

Hi all,

I've been diving deeper into SEO lately and rethinking my backlinking approach for clients. Currently, I'm just buying services and reselling them at a markup, but I'm not thrilled with the results or my lack of control in the process. I suspect that most vendors are using automated platforms like RankerX, SEO NEO, GSA SER, MoneyRobot, etc., which concerns me.

My Proposed Strategy​

Nothing revolutionary here, but I'm considering this approach:

1. Source expired domains with relevant local focus (e.g., London-focused domains for London plumbing clients)
2. Evaluate the backlink profile of each expired domain (checking for quality, spam signals, authoritative links)
3. Create a simple one-page website with content aligned to the domain's original purpose, naturally incorporating client links
4. Repeat with additional expired domains to build a network

The economics: Hosting runs about £60/year with Namecheap (unlimited websites) plus roughly £10 per domain. My clients typically pay £500 monthly for 5-10 backlinks.

This approach is more labor-intensive than my current method, but I believe it will deliver stronger ranking improvements. The challenge is explaining this value shift to clients. If I focus on acquiring niche-relevant domains, I can potentially expand these sites over time and leverage them across multiple clients in similar industries.

Questions About Automation Tools​

I've researched automated link-building tools like RankerX and GSA SER, but it appears the links they generate shouldn't be used for tier 1.

However, I'm wondering: Could these tools be appropriately used to build links to my expired domain properties instead of directly to client sites? This would create a buffer layer.

Alternatively, I'm considering using backlink marketplaces like Bazoom, icopify, adsy, and Link Publishers to find quality link opportunities, paying per backlink, and then potentially using the automation tools to point to these intermediary sites. However, these marketplace links are somewhat limited and can become expensive quickly.

Would appreciate your thoughts on potential blind spots in this strategy or other factors I should consider. Any feedback from those who have implemented similar approaches?

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Shabzy said:

However, I'm wondering: Could these tools be appropriately used to build links to my expired domain properties instead of directly to client sites? This would create a buffer layer.

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hideath said:

You're referring to a poorly made PBN with obvious and easily detectable footprints (hosting IP & number of pages),
The whole idea about buying auction domains is for the sake of their tier 2 links, genuine links built naturally that currently works,

GSA SER & RankerX links are not worth anymore, probably for churn & burn niches in some less known languages/countries SERPs,
But, definitively not something to use to sell links for clients, either for tier 1 or 2, you're delivering them trash and basically draining their money by this

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Shabzy said:

Provide a suggestion?

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hideath said:

Learn how to build a proper PBN,
Bidding on the right auction domains (clean with good link profile, and worth for price),
Setting up the network properly (multiple hosting, locations, IPs), well-built & unique content & design per website,
Limiting and diversing the OBLs of the PBN to maximize the passed link juice, and avoid getting it killed because of footprints,

Basically, actually investing in each of the PBN websites in terms of work/money, that will get you the results,
Focus on the made ROI, not just limiting the investments, if you invest $40K to make $80-120K during 3 years, that's still a considerably good ROI

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Shabzy said:

This is exactly what I'm going to do. Each website will look unique with its own logo, design style content etc. I'm planning on using a cloud hosting to provide unique ips for each website.

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hideath said:

Well, the rest will be about getting the right domains then,
Good domains are not as easy to find, nor are cheap, don't go for any random "expired domain",
Ideally, diverse the number of pages for each of the websites, and each should look genuine,
Some with 100+ blog pages, others with 20, diversing the content length and posting rate,

Good luck!

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