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All lessons in SEO for Beginners Lesson 3.3 of 26

Module 0: Introduction

  1. 0.1What is a search engine?
  2. 0.2How do search engines work?
  3. 0.3What is SEO?
  4. 0.4How to start SEO

Module 1: Keyword Research

  1. 1.1What are keywords in SEO?
  2. 1.2What is search intent?
  3. 1.3How to find keywords for your website
  4. 1.4Keyword difficulty
  5. 1.5Keyword mapping

Module 2: On-Page SEO

  1. 2.1What is on-page SEO?
  2. 2.2How to optimize a page for a keyword
  3. 2.3How to write title tags and meta descriptions
  4. 2.4How to use headings for SEO
  5. 2.5Internal linking for SEO

Module 3: Link Building

  1. 3.1What is link building?
  2. 3.2What makes a good backlink?
  3. 3.3How to get backlinks for beginners
  4. 3.4Blogger outreach

Module 4: Technical SEO Basics

  1. 4.1What is technical SEO?
  2. 4.2How to check if a page is indexed
  3. 4.3How to find broken links on a website
  4. 4.4XML sitemap and robots.txt for beginners
  5. 4.5How to do a basic SEO audit

Module 5: Measuring SEO Results

  1. 5.1How to set up Google Search Console
  2. 5.2Clicks, impressions, CTR, and position explained
  3. 5.3Your SEO action plan

How to get backlinks for beginners

In this lesson

  • Safe ways to earn your first backlinks
  • How to use local directories and partners
  • Which shortcuts can hurt your site

Short answer

To get backlinks as a beginner, start with links you can earn easily: business directories, suppliers, partners, and local organizations. Then create linkable assets, like guides, price lists, or free tools that others want to share. Reach out to sites that mention you without a link. Avoid buying links, since Google and other search engines penalize link schemes.

These are links most businesses can get in their first month:

Ladder of link building methods from easiest to hardestDirectories and citationsSuppliers and partnersLocal groups and eventsLinkable guides and toolsOutreach and guest postsEasierHarder
Start at the bottom rungs, then climb as your site grows.
  1. Local citations. A citation is a listing of your business name, address, and phone number. Start with Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Apple Business Connect, and trusted local directories.
  2. Suppliers and brands you carry. Ask to be listed on their “where to buy” or reseller page.
  3. Partners and clients. An event venue can link to the caterer it recommends. A web designer can link to client sites, with permission.
  4. Organizations you belong to. Chambers of commerce, industry associations, alumni groups, and barangay business directories.
  5. Your own profiles. Add your website to your Facebook page, LinkedIn, YouTube channel, and marketplace shops. These are usually nofollow, but they help people find you.

Keep your business name, address, and phone number exactly the same everywhere. This is called NAP consistency.

Create content people want to link to

A linkable asset is a page so useful that others link to it on their own. Ideas that work well in the Philippines:

  • Price guides. “How much does a wedding cost in Tagaytay in 2026?”
  • Local lists. “Complete list of LTO offices in Metro Manila with hours.”
  • How-to guides. “How to register a small business with DTI, step by step.”
  • Free tools and templates. Calculators, checklists, or downloadable forms.
  • Original data. A simple survey of your customers, shared as findings.

Keep these pages updated. Old prices and broken steps stop earning links.

Sometimes a blog or news site mentions your business but does not link. This is an unlinked brand mention.

  1. Search your business name in Google and Bing, with quotes: “Your Business Name.”
  2. Look for pages that mention you without a link.
  3. Send a short, friendly message thanking them and asking if they could add a link.

Other beginner methods

  • Guest posting. Write a helpful article for a related blog. Focus on readers, not links. Lesson 3.4 shows how to pitch.
  • Help a reporter. Journalists often look for expert quotes. Answer requests in your field.
  • Local sponsorships and events. Sponsoring a school event or fun run often earns a link from the organizer’s site.

Shortcuts that can hurt you

  • Buying bulk backlink packages
  • Paying for links without a rel=“sponsored” tag
  • Joining link exchange groups on Facebook
  • Spamming blog comments or forums with your link

Quick quiz

1. What is a local citation?
2. What is a linkable asset?
3. Which is a risky shortcut?

Common mistakes

  • Different business details across listings. Keep your NAP the same everywhere.
  • Asking for links before having useful pages. Build the asset first.
  • Giving up after a few tries. Link building is slow and steady.
  • Forgetting to track. Note who you contacted and what happened.

Your action

Finish the link building checklist above this week.

Key terms

Local citation
An online listing of your business name, address, and phone number.
NAP consistency
Keeping your name, address, and phone the same on every listing.
Linkable asset
Content created to earn links naturally.
Unlinked brand mention
A mention of your business with no link.
Guest posting
Writing an article for another website.

Questions beginners ask

How many backlinks do I need?

There is no fixed number. Look at the sites ranking for your keyword and aim to earn a few strong, relevant links.

How long until backlinks help?

Search engines need to find and process new links. Effects often take weeks to months.

Related lessons

Want someone to handle SEO for your business while you learn? The team at Remar Digital can help.