How to Get Your First Backlinks as a New Website
Safe, realistic ways for a brand-new small business site to earn its first links and mentions — and the shortcuts that can get you penalised.
SEO, AEO and GEO consultant · Technical SEO, local SEO and content strategy
Last reviewed November 10, 2026
SEO, AEO & GEO consultant based in Rangpur, Bangladesh. Technical SEO, local search and content strategy. Full bio →
A new website earns its first backlinks mostly from places it already has real relationships with: business profiles, local directories, partners, suppliers, associations and local media. These links are modest, but they are genuine. Buying links or joining link schemes breaks Google's spam policies and can do more harm than good.
Start with what you already own
- Google Business Profile, Facebook page, LinkedIn and YouTube — add your website link.
- Relevant Bangladeshi business directories (local citations).
- Marketplace or booking profiles you already use.
Ask people who know you
- Suppliers and brands you stock — many have "where to buy" pages.
- Business partners, clients you have done real work for, and event organisers.
- Chambers of commerce, trade associations and alumni groups you belong to.
Create something worth linking to
- A genuinely useful local guide, price explainer or checklist.
- Original photos or data you actually collected.
- Answers to common questions in your field, written from experience.
Get mentioned locally
- Sponsor or speak at a local event, college or community programme.
- Offer expert comments to local news or blogs when relevant.
- Take part in honest interviews and podcasts in your niche.
Avoid these
Paid or sponsored links are allowed only when marked with rel="sponsored" or nofollow. More in off-page SEO done safely.
- Buying links or "DA 50 backlinks" packages.
- Automated comment, forum or profile spam.
- Excessive link swaps and private blog networks.
Sources and limits
This is a practical guide based on public documentation and day-to-day SEO work. It reports no original dataset, guarantees no ranking, and gives no fixed timeline.
Frequently asked
There is no fixed number. A few relevant, genuine links usually matter more than many low-quality ones.
Relevant, real business directories help people find you and keep your details consistent. Mass submission to junk directories does not help.
Writing genuinely useful articles for relevant sites is fine. Guest posts done mainly to place keyword links can violate spam policies.