SEO Link Building in Kenya: How a School Improved Blog Rankings
A private school approached us with a major concern: despite regularly publishing blog content, their website was not ranking on search engines. They had insightful articles about education trends, student success stories, and teaching strategies, yet they weren’t receiving much organic traffic.
After conducting an in-depth SEO audit, we discovered that their blog lacked a proper linking strategy. Internal links were sparse, external links were either missing or low-quality, and anchor texts were not optimized. This case study explores how we helped the school improve its blog rankings through a well-structured linking strategy.
The Solution: Implementing an SEO Link Building Strategy in Kenya
1. Understanding the Types of Links in SEO, before making changes.
We educated the school’s content team on the different types of links:
Internal Links: Connecting different pages within their website, such as linking from blog posts to related curriculum pages.
External Links: Directing users to authoritative and relevant third-party educational resources.
Backlinks: Earning links from other websites pointing to their blog, increasing domain authority.
1. Strengthening Internal Links for SEO in Kenya
Internal linking was key to improving the school’s blog structure. We implemented the following best practices:
- Linking to Relevant Content: We strategically linked blog posts to other related articles and key pages, such as admissions and academic programs.
- Using Descriptive Anchor Texts: Instead of generic phrases like “click here,” we used meaningful keywords, e.g., “Read our guide on effective study habits.”
- Creating a Logical Structure: We ensured every blog post had at least three internal links, helping users navigate content efficiently.
- Avoiding Overlinking: We balanced the number of internal links per post to maintain readability.
2. Adding High-Quality External Links
To establish credibility, we improved the use of external links:
- Linking to Authoritative Educational Sources: We referenced government education sites, research studies, and top educational blogs.
- Opening External Links in a New Tab: This helped keep visitors on the school’s website while providing additional resources.
- Avoiding Competitor Links: We ensured all outbound links directed users to non-competing but high-value sources.
- Using No follow Tags When Needed: For promotional or sponsored links, we applied rel=”nofollow” to prevent loss of SEO equity.
3.Optimizing Anchor Text for SEO
Anchor text optimization was another crucial area of improvement:
- Using Natural Language: We avoided over-optimized exact-match keywords and instead made anchor texts flow naturally.
- Diversifying Anchor Text: We mixed branded, generic, and keyword-rich anchor texts to maintain a natural link profile.
- Avoiding Repetitive Anchor Texts: We ensured each link had unique, meaningful anchor text to prevent search engine penalties.
4. Fixing Broken and Outdated Links
Broken links were negatively impacting the blog’s SEO. We implemented:
- SEO Tools for Link Audits: Using Google Search Console and Ahrefs to find broken links.
- Replacing or Removing Broken Links: Updating outdated references and replacing them with fresh, high-quality sources.
- Refreshing Old Blog Content: We revisited older blog posts and added new, relevant links to enhance their value.
5. Earning Backlinks to Strengthen Authority
A key factor in improving rankings was acquiring quality backlinks. We helped the school with:
- Guest Posting: Writing high-quality guest articles for reputable education blogs that linked back to their content.
- Influencer Outreach: Collaborating with educational influencers who shared and linked to the school’s blog.
- Creating Link-Worthy Content: Publishing original research, guides, and infographics that naturally attracted backlinks.
The Results: Higher Rankings and Increased Traffic
After implementing these strategies, the school’s blog saw significant improvements within three months:
- Organic Traffic Increased by 120%
- Bounce Rate Decreased by 35%
- Top Blog Posts Ranked on the First Page of Google
- Higher Engagement and Longer Time on Page
Final Thoughts
Through a strategic linking approach, we transformed the school’s blog from an underperforming asset to a high-ranking, authoritative resource.
By focusing on internal and external linking, optimizing anchor texts, and maintaining link quality, we helped them boost their SEO performance and user engagement.
If your blog is struggling to rank, implementing a solid linking strategy could be the game-changer you need. Reach out to us today to get started!