{"id":10090,"date":"2015-11-05T10:41:45","date_gmt":"2015-11-05T15:41:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=10090"},"modified":"2016-05-26T12:17:59","modified_gmt":"2016-05-26T17:17:59","slug":"using-guest-posts-to-increase-traffic-and-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/using-guest-posts-to-increase-traffic-and-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Use Guest Posting To Increase Your Traffic And Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/center><\/p>\n

Guest posting is an incredibly powerful tool to generate traffic and subscribers. In fact, guest blogging is one of the most effective free traffic strategies. However, a lot of people approach the guest blogging process in the wrong way.<\/p>\n

In order to get the most out of guest blogging you need to be posting on websites that have overlap with your ideal audience. Below you\u2019ll find an exact strategy you can utilize time and time again to send new traffic and leads to your website.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What Is Guest Blogging?<\/h3>\n

Guest blogging is the process of writing for high profile blogs and websites in your niche. Most often you guest blog for free. But, in return you can associate yourself with a high authority website to borrow authority, and can illustrate your value to your market.<\/p>\n

Guest blogging is an incredible way to build your authority and send qualified traffic your way through dropping backlinks throughout your post, or within your author byline.<\/p>\n

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What Are Your Guest Blogging Goals<\/h3>\n

Before you start actively guest posting it\u2019s important to define your goals. The last thing you want is to start guest posting on a regular basis only to see no result for your business.<\/p>\n

Are you looking to generate more traffic for your website?<\/p>\n

Are you trying to build authority and a name for yourself in your niche?<\/p>\n

Or, are you trying to build high-quality backlinks to grow your search engine rankings?<\/p>\n

Define what results you want to achieve for your business, and track every post you write, so you can refine your strategy over time.<\/p>\n

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Developing A Guest Blogging Strategy<\/h3>\n

Your guest blogging efforts won\u2019t succeed unless you have an actionable and trackable plan to follow. Below you\u2019ll find a five–step process you can implement time and time again.<\/p>\n

1. Build Up Your Online Persona or Platform<\/strong>
\nBefore you start guest blogging it\u2019s important you take the time to build a solid online presence. You\u2019ll need a solid foundation in the online space that you\u2019re going to be sending qualified traffic to.<\/p>\n

2. Identify Guest Blogging Opportunities <\/strong>
\nWhen you\u2019re identifying blogs to contribute to make sure they have a sizable audience and have at least some overlap with your niche. Obviously, the blogs you end up choosing will depend your niche and goals.<\/p>\n

The two processes below will help you build a targeted list of blogs<\/a> to contribute to.<\/p>\n