Beginner’s Checklist for Building Your First Backlink Strategy

Hey there, SEO newbie! 🌱 Welcome to Backlink Haven. Over the past 6 days, we’ve covered what backlinks are, how Google judges them, and even how to spot toxic links. Today? We’re giving you a free, step-by-step checklist to launch your first backlink campaign—without the overwhelm.
Think of this as your “IKEA manual” for backlinks. Follow the steps, and you’ll build a solid SEO foundation. Skip them, and… well, let’s just say you’ll have a wobbly rankings shelf. 😅
Why You Need a Backlink Checklist
Backlinks aren’t a “spray and pray” game
Without a plan, you’ll:
- Waste time on links that don’t matter.
- Accidentally pick up toxic links (like we covered in Day 6).
- Get frustrated and quit.
What this checklist does
✅ Guides you through exactly what to do (and when).
✅ Avoids jargon—just clear, simple steps.
✅ Saves you 10+ hours of Googling.
Your 7-Step Backlink Checklist
Step 1: Set Your Goal (5 Minutes)
Example: “Earn 10 quality backlinks in 60 days.”
- Do: Write it down. Be specific.
- Don’t: Say “I want more links” (too vague).
Step 2: Find Your “Link-Worthy” Page (15 Minutes)
- Pick 1 page to promote (your best guide, tool, or product).
- Ask: “Would I share this with a friend?” If not, improve it first.
Step 3: Make a Target List (30 Minutes)
- Find 20 sites in your niche with:
- Domain Authority (DA) 20+.
- Active blogs (posted in the last 3 months).
- Tools: Use Ahrefs or BuzzSumo.
👉 Stuck? Backlink Haven’s Link Building Service does this for you—we’ll handpick 50 targets!
Step 4: Start Outreach (1 Hour/Week)
- Email template:
“Hi [Name],
Loved your post on [Topic]. I wrote a [guide/tool] that adds more value. Thought you might like to check it out!
[Your Name]” - Send 5 emails/week (consistency > volume).
Step 5: Track Your Links (10 Minutes/Week)
- Use Google Sheets or Linkody.
- Track:
- Site name
- DA
- Link status (pending/live)
Step 6: Audit Monthly (20 Minutes)
- Check for toxic links (review Day 6’s guide).
- Remove or disavow spam.
Step 7: Celebrate Wins! (5 Minutes)
- Got your first link? Treat yourself! 🍩
- Share wins with your team (or cat).
3 Tools You Need (All Free!)
- Google Search Console: Monitor which links Google sees.
- Ubersuggest: Check DA and traffic stats.
- Hunter.io: Find email addresses for outreach.
5 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the audit: Toxic links sneak up fast.
- Begging for links: Offer value, not desperation.
- Ignoring nofollow links: They drive traffic! (Day 4).
- Quitting too soon: It takes 3–6 months to see results.
- Not tracking progress: How else will you know what’s working?
“What If I Hate Doing Outreach?”
You’ve got 3 options
- Hire a VA: Train them to send emails for you.
- Use a tool: Try Pitchbox for automated outreach.
- Let us do it: Backlink Haven handles outreach, link building, and tracking—so you don’t have to.
Ready for Day 8?
Tomorrow, we’re diving into how to create link-worthy content (the kind bloggers BEG to share). Spoiler: It’s easier than you think.
Bookmark this checklist—and go earn those links! 🔗