Easy 10‑step link‑building plan for eCommerce category pages:
Fix the basics – Use HTTPS, fast hosting, clean URL like /men‑running‑shoes/, tight meta title, short H1, and add 150–200 words of helpful text so others feel okay linking to the page.
Use smart internal links – From every product page, add one text link back to the category. Write two quick blog posts that answer buyer questions and link them to the category with natural anchors such as men’s running shoes.
Spy on top rivals – Drop your keyword into Ahrefs or SEMrush (free trial works). Export backlink lists of the three best‑ranking sites; these URLs are now your target list.
Grab easy brand links – Ask each brand you sell to list you on their “Where to buy” page. Submit your store to good niche directories or buying‑guide sites that get real traffic.
Create a simple hook asset – Make one thing worth citing: a size‑conversion chart, price‑tracker graphic, or short buying guide. Publish it on your blog and link to the category in the first paragraph.
Guest‑post outreach – Pitch ten small blogs or magazines in your niche with fresh article ideas. In the post or author bio, link to your hook asset; juice flows from asset → category.
Share coupons on deal sites – Post an exclusive coupon for the category on legit deal forums like Slickdeals or RetailMeNot; most allow do‑follow links.
Work with micro‑influencers – DM creators with 5–30 k followers who do gear roundups. Offer a free product or small fee for a blog post or YouTube Short that links to the category.
Statistics link building – Find “journalist keywords” with tools like Google Autosuggest or Ahrefs (e.g., running‑shoe market size 2025). Publish a short post sharing fresh numbers from your own sales or trusted sources, add simple charts, and include an internal link to the category in the first paragraph. Pitch reporters and bloggers covering ecommerce trends; when they cite your stats, they’ll link back to your post, passing authority to the category.
Track and repeat – Log every new link (date, URL, anchor, DR) in a sheet. Check Google Search Console weekly; tighten titles if impressions rise but clicks lag. Refresh your hook asset every six months and repeat outreach.
Aim for 5–10 quality links each month, vary anchor text, and stay natural. Your category pages should start climbing in 3–6 months.
