Steal our ecommerce link building strategies!

93% of online shopping journeys start the same way: with a Google search.

For ecommerce sites, that means one thing: if you’re not ranking, you’re not selling.

And here’s the hard truth – ranking isn’t easy. As of 2025, there are over 26.5 million ecommerce websites competing for the same clicks.

So how do you stand out?

Simple: backlinks.

According to Backlinko, the #1 search result has 3.8x more backlinks than the rest of the pages. In other words, if you want to outrank your competitors, you need better links – period.

That’s where ecommerce link building comes in.

In this guide, I’ll show you proven, battle-tested ecommerce link building strategies to earn high-quality backlinks that drive traffic, boost rankings, and grow your store’s bottom line.

Let’s dive in.

What are ecommerce backlinks?

In the simplest terms:
Ecommerce backlinks are links pointing to your online store from other websites – helping search engines understand your relevance and authority.

They act like little endorsements – the digital version of someone saying, “Hey, this site is worth checking out.”

So, if a blog links to your product page, or an online magazine mentions your store and links to it, that’s an ecommerce backlink.

Why a strong ecommerce link profile beats just building backlinks?

If you want your ecommerce site to rank, a strong link profile isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s essential. Here’s why it’s worth the effort:

• Boost search engine rankings: The more quality links you have, the higher you climb in search engine results.
• Drive organic traffic: More links = more visibility = more organic traffic to your ecommerce store.
• Trust and credibility: Links from relevant sites signal to Google (and shoppers) that you’re legit.
• More revenue: Higher rankings and trust lead to more conversions – and more sales.
• Competitive edge: If you’re not building links, your competitors definitely are.

No backlinks? No rankings. Simple as that.

Alright, it’s time to get tactical!

Ecommerce link building strategies that drive rankings and revenue

Not all strategies are created equal. Some work like crazy. Others? Crash and burn. Successful ecommerce sites know the difference – and build around what works.

1. Create link-worthy content

If backlinks are the currency of SEO, content is the mint.

Your mission? Create link-worthy content that website owners, bloggers, and other sites can’t help but reference.

Step 1: Answer buyer questions.

Talk to your sales or support team. What do people ask before hitting “Buy Now”?

Turn that into content.

Step 2: Go big or go home.

This isn’t fluff – long-form content generates 77.2% more backlinks than short posts. And content with “why” or “what” in the title earns 25.8% more links.

Examples that crush for ecommerce:

• “Best X for Y” product roundups
• “How to choose the right [product]”
• “Top [niche] mistakes (and how to avoid them)”

Find high-value, low-competition relevant keywords and trending topics around your customers’ pain points with SEMrush, AnswerThePublic, or BuzzSumo – and outdo what’s already ranking.

Step 3: Build linkable assets.

Think beyond the blog. Create high quality content like:

• Infographics
• Stat roundups
• Industry research or original data

These are backlink magnets.

Step 4: Promote it. Hard.

Great content deserves eyeballs. Share it in Facebook groups, Reddit threads, emails newsletters, and forums. DM bloggers who’ve linked to similar content. Use BuzzSumo to find them fast.

Bottom line: Content that solves problems gets clicks. Content that overdelivers gets links.

2. Feature industry experts (and let them build links for you)

These are the folks with authority – industry pros, niche influencers, LinkedIn micro-experts. When you quote them, many will return the favor with a backlink. Boom: quality links with zero cold outreach.

But the benefits go way beyond backlinks.

Featuring experts boosts your content’s credibility, builds trust with your audience, and positions your ecommerce brand as a go-to resource.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Find the right voices

Find experts your audience already follows. If you run a fitness ecommerce site, talk to personal trainers. Sell cookware? Hit up chefs.

Step 2: Reach out with a no-pressure pitch

Keep it casual:

Hey Mark,

I’m putting together a piece on [topic]. Would love to include a quick tip or insight from you. Just a sentence or two would be awesome.

Step 3: Publish → Tag → Notify

Once your post goes live, tag them on social. Then DM or email the link. Many will share. Some will link to it from their own sites, media kits, or press pages. Some might even ask to collaborate again.

When your featured expert shares the post, their followers often reshare it too – generating social media links that boost exposure and open the door to more backlinks from niche publishers.

Pro Tip:
Turn it into a roundup.

Posts like “9 Experts Share Their Go-To [Product] Tips” = link magnets.

Try it in your next post – and watch your links (and traffic) grow.

3. Ask partners to link to your ecommerce site

Here’s an easy link building technique for ecommerce site owners:

If you work with suppliers, manufacturers, or app partners…

You already have link opportunities sitting in your inbox.

Step 1: Identify link-worthy partners.

Make a list of your suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, or any partners you work with.

Step 2: Check for “Where to Buy” or “Retailer” pages

Visit their site and check for pages like:

• Where to Buy
• Authorized Retailers
• Our Partners

These are pages that exist specifically to link to you.

Step 3: Reach out and ask for the link

Keep it short and sweet. Something like:

Hey Mark,

Love working with you!

We noticed you feature partners on your site. Would you be open to adding our store?

Happy to send a logo or description.

Most partners are happy to help – especially if you already drive sales for them.

Step 3: Make it a two-way street

Feature partners on your site, mention them in blog, or shout them out on social media. Website owners love love. And reciprocity turns mentions into inbound links.

It’s not just good karma – it’s great ecommerce link building.

Bonus tip:
Look beyond suppliers. Search for “[your industry] + online business directories” and pitch to get featured. Tools like Shopgram, CartInsight, or Store Leads can help you find niche listings and relevant resource pages.

4. Steal competitor links with smart ecommerce link building tactics

Why reinvent the wheel? Your competitors already did the hard work.

You just need to reverse engineer their ecommerce link building strategy – then use the right link building technique to take the links they missed.

Step 1: Find competitor backlinks you can win

Fire up best link building tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz Link Intersect.

Now hunt for:

• Broken links → Spot 404s on their site. This is classic broken link building. Pitch your product page or blog post as the perfect fix.
• Lost links → Recently removed backlinks = low-hanging SEO fruit. Lost link building is all about reviving these opportunities – just offer a better, fresher resource and slide into that spot.
• Working links → Sites linking to them (but not you). Show up with better content – or offer to write a guest post that adds fresh value.

Pro move: Filter by referring domains that link to multiple competitors. These are link-happy sites just waiting for your pitch.

Step 2: Reach out with relevance

Skip the generic “Hey, I saw your post…”

Instead:

1. Show value – Why your link improves their page.
2. Suggest placement – Point to where it fits.
3. Offer something extra – A product sample, custom image, or data they can use.

Quick win: Reference something from their article. (“You mentioned X… Here’s something your readers would love.”) Personal beats perfect every time.

Step 3: Study their link building strategy

Understand how they’re earning links.

• Check their link velocity → Are they stacking 10 links/month or 100/week? This shows how aggressive their strategy is.
• See what content earns links → Product roundups? Blog posts? Comparison charts? Use this to inspire your next link-worthy asset.
• Spot exclusive deals → Some ecommerce businesses cut exclusivity deals with bloggers. If someone won’t link to you, it might not be about your offer – it could be about their contract.

Step 4: Repeat on autopilot

Competitor backlink gaps change fast. One month you’re behind – next month, you’re ahead.

Set up alerts, automate your monitoring, and schedule monthly check-ins. Link building isn’t one-and-done – it’s compounding.

Underrated tip: If a site links to AND shares your competitor on social media, it’s a high-value target. Add them to your outreach list.

5. Organize a creative PR campaign that attract links

Here’s a secret: PR campaigns aren’t just for big brands with deep pockets.

A clever PR stunt can go viral, attract links, and get your ecommerce site in front of a massive audience.

A catchy idea + smart distribution = relevant links, buzz, and sales.

Step 1: Find the “Wait, what?” angle.

Launch a quirky product, run a fun experiment, or highlight surprising customer data.

Example: Wethrift’s “Affordable Supermarket Fashion Index” broke down the cheapest head-to-toe outfits from stores like ASDA and Morrisons – some under £90.

One quirky, data-driven angle: budget fashion in the bread aisle.

The result? 63 juicy backlinks from major media outlets – all from one smart, data-driven campaign.

Step 2: Tie it to a trend.

Seasonal and topical always wins.

• Valentine’s Day? Run a “Most Returned Gifts” study.
• Pet Day? Release matching outfits for dogs and owners.

If it makes people smile, it’s got link potential.

Step 3: Pitch it like a pro.

Use tools like Muck Rack or Roxhill to find journalists who cover your space. Pitch the story, not the product.

Pro tip: Pair your PR push with a blog post or landing page – then internally link to key ecommerce pages to pass that sweet link equity.

Bottome line: Not every campaign will blow up – and that’s okay. But the right one? It can win you relevant links, love, and loads of conversions.

6. Get featured in product roundups

You know those blog posts like “Best Hiking Backpacks” or “Top Coffee Grinders for Home Baristas”?
They rank high, drive traffic, and link out to every product they feature.

That makes them ecommerce link building jackpots.

Step 1: Find roundup opportunities

Search Google for things like:

• “best [your product type]”
• “top [niche keyword] for [specific use case]”

You’ll find curated blog posts, gift guides, and listicles – most linking to ecommerce websites just like yours.

Step 2: Pitch with value (not desperation)

Shoot a short, to-the-point email. Offer your product for review or send over glowing customer testimonials. Some website owners may charge a fee. Others? They’ll link to you if your product actually fits.

Step 3: Build long-term link equity

Once you’re in, stay in touch. When they refresh the post or create new roundups, you’ll be top of mind.

Some roundup links may be tagged as “sponsored.” No sweat. The site visibility still leads to natural backlinks, influencer shoutouts, and external links from other websites referencing the roundup.

Roundups = Awesome ecommerce links + traffic + credibility. Win-win-win.

7. Start affiliate partnerships (and turn sales into SEO)

If done right, affiliate partnerships become one of the most scalable ecommerce link building techniques out there – especially for ecommerce websites looking to earn relevant backlinks and make sales.

Here’s how to do it right:

Step 1: Build a solid affiliate program

Great payouts. Strong conversion rates. Transparent tracking. If your offer makes affiliates money, they’ll keep promoting you. And linking to you.

Step 2: Attract the right partners

Target niche bloggers, YouTubers, and review sites with organic traffic in your space. They already talk about products like yours – so your links fit in naturally.

Step 3: Encourage organic mentions

Ask affiliates to share how they use your product, what makes it better, or why they chose it over a competitor.

That kind of original content = natural links, brand buzz, and even external links from other sites that reference it.

Step 4: Get featured (again and again)

Once you’re in their ecosystem, you’ll show up in gift guides, deal pages, listicles, and blog posts. That means consistent links pointing to your ecommerce site – and traffic that converts.

Heads-up: Most affiliate links use rel=”sponsored”. But don’t sweat it – Google still sees the engagement. And those pages often earn natural backlinks of their own.

Pro tip: Use affiliate campaigns to boost your PR outreach. When you launch a new product, loop in your affiliates early. Many will write about it, share on socials, or even link from their “What’s New” or “Favorite Finds” pages.

8. Turn FAQs into link magnet

A well-crafted FAQ page is more than customer service – it’s a linkable asset that attracts quality links on autopilot.

Here’s how to turn questions into a smart ecommerce link building strategy:

Step 1: Find FAQs people actually care about

Don’t guess – research. Use tools like AnswerThePublic, Ahrefs, or your own customer support inbox. Look for questions with buyer intent and search volume.

Step 2: Turn answers into link-worthy content

Don’t just tack on a one-liner. Create helpful, detailed responses – on product pages or a central FAQ hub.

Example: Olay answered a trending skincare question and landed a featured snippet – generating links, authority, and traffic. No outreach needed.

Pro tip: Group similar questions together. This builds topical authority and helps you rank for long-tail keywords.

Step 3: Add FAQ schema

That little markup helps your answers show up in Google’s rich results – giving you more search visibility and making it easier for other websites to link back.

Bonus tip: Link your FAQs to relevant product pages. That sends traffic deeper into your site and boosts your internal linking for stronger SEO.

9. Try Profnet and become a go-to expert for journalists

Stop chasing bloggers – and let them come to you.

Use ProfNet.

It’s HARO’s smarter cousin (used by serious PR pros). Used by media outlets like Reuters, Forbes, and Business Insider, ProfNet connects you directly with reporters hunting for expert insights.

Step 1: Sign up as a source.

Go to ProfNet.com → Click “I’m a source” → Fill out your ecommerce niche, product category, and what makes your online store or ecommerce business unique.

Step 2: Watch for pitch opportunities.

ProfNet will send you requests from journalists writing product roundups, trend pieces, and holiday gift guides – stuff that’s perfect for ecommerce brands.

Step 3: Craft a pitch that pops.

Once you’re in, you’ll get a steady stream of pitch requests.

Many of them are perfect for your ecommerce link building tactics:

• Product roundups
• Holiday gift guides
• Trend pieces for ecommerce websites

All of these give you new link building opportunities.

Step 4: Earn the backlink.

If your pitch lands, so does a backlink (sometimes even two). From sites with major authority.

Pro tip: After landing a quote or mention, link back to your own content. Better yet, write blog posts that expand on your expert tips and use them in your outreach too.

Bonus: Don’t just chase homepage links. Ask to link to your product collection or blog if it fits naturally.
That way, you’re stacking SEO value where it matters.

10. Turn unlinked brand mentions into backlinks

If someone mentions your ecommerce brand but doesn’t link to your site – congrats, you’re halfway to a backlink.

Here’s how to turn those shoutouts into quality links:

Step 1: Get notified when you’re mentioned

Set up Google Alerts for your brand, products, and ecommerce store. Tweak settings by source, language, and region to dodge spammy sites and catch relevant mentions fast.

Step 2: Find existing mentions with Ahrefs

Drop your brand into Content Explorer → hit “Highlight unlinked” → filter by “One page per domain” → sort by Domain Rating.

Now you’ve got a juicy list of link-ready mentions.

Step 3: Reach out (the right way)

Shoot a short, friendly email thanking the site owner and asking if they’d be open to linking.

A simple “Thanks for the mention! Would you mind linking to our site for context?” often works.

Since they already mentioned you, it’s an easy yes.

Bonus tip: Go beyond your brand. Search for unlinked product names, founder names, or even your tagline. Every mention is a chance to build links that boost search engine rankings.

How to prioritize the right links (not just more links)

In ecommerce link building, more isn’t better.

Better is better.

Here’s how to get links that boost your search engine rankings (not bury you in spam):

• Get Authority Links: A single link from a DR 80 niche blog can outrank 50 low-quality links from spammy sites.
• Stay relevant: A link from other ecommerce websites in your industry or complementary spaces? That’s gold. Even better if it complements your niche.
• Spy on competitors: Use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to surface potential link building opportunities – especially from sites that link to your competitor but not to you.
• Mix your anchors: Branded, generic, keyword-rich – keep it balanced to avoid looking spammy.
• Know your link types: Dofollow passes authority. Nofollow? Still valuable. Sponsored and UGC? Use wisely.
• Avoid shady shortcuts: Buying links or over-optimizing? Google’s watching. Keep your link profile natural.

Long game > shortcuts. Always.

Measuring and analyzing your ecommerce link building wins!

You built the links. Now it’s time to see what’s actually working.

Tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Google Search Console help you track backlinks, referring domains, and measure the ROI of your link building efforts.

Here’s what to measure:

1. Referring domains: More unique domains = stronger backlink profile = better SEO rankings.
2. Total backlinks: But don’t obsess here – quality > quantity.
3. Domain Rating growth: Use Ahrefs or Moz to spot authority gains over time.
4. Organic traffic spikes: If links are helping, you’ll see the lift in your analytics.
5. Keyword rankings: Watch for movement in Search engine results pages – especially for competitive terms.
6. Referral conversions: Some links won’t just boost SEO – they’ll send buyers.

Link building mistakes that ecommerce businesses should avoid

Before you double down on your ecommerce link building strategy, avoid these common missteps that can sink your results – and your search engine rankings.

1. Buying low-quality links
   Cheap backlinks might look like a shortcut… until Google slaps you with a penalty. One quality link beats 100 shady ones.
2. Link schemes and shady shortcuts
   Link exchanges, sketchy affiliate partnerships, PBNs – none of them build long-term SEO. Search engines aren’t dumb.
3. Anchor text overload
   Over-optimizing with keyword-rich anchors? That’s a fast track to unnatural backlink profile territory. Mix it up.
4. Relevance? What’s that?
   If your ecommerce site sells cookware, a link from a crypto blog won’t help. Stick to relevant websites and niches.
5. One-dimensional strategies
   Guest post and chill? Nope. Mix in broken link building, chase those unlinked brand mentions, and publish stuff people actually want to link to.
6. Expecting SEO miracles overnight
   Link building is a long game. Patience is key. Keep an eye on your backlinks, and let the results speak for themselves over time.

SaaSMonks makes ecommerce link building simple and scalable

If you’re serious about growing your ecommerce site but don’t have time to chase broken links, pitch industry experts, or analyze competitor links all day – we’ve got you.

At SaaSMonks, we offer scalable, white-hat link building services tailored specifically for ecommerce websites.

From securing high-quality placements to managing outreach and maintaining link integrity, we help you scale your link building efforts the smart way – no shady shortcuts, just results that stick.

Wrap-up

Ecommerce link building isn’t just another SEO checkbox. It’s one of the most powerful levers you’ve got to drive long-term traffic, authority, and revenue.

But like anything worth doing, it takes strategy. Not spammy tactics. Not shortcuts. Real, sustainable results come from building quality links on a solid foundation: smart link building strategies, relevant placements, and content that actually deserves to be linked to.

Whether you’re just launching your ecommerce store or scaling an empire of ecommerce websites, one thing’s certain: search engines reward consistency, relevance, and value.

So skip the gimmicks. Double down on link worthy content, audit those competitor links, claim lost links, and keep your backlink profile looking natural.

Do that – and you won’t just rank.

You’ll dominate.