If you're diving into the world of SEO, you've probably heard the term "domain authority" thrown around quite a bit. It's one of those crucial metrics that can really make a difference in your website's success. According to a study by Ahrefs, 70% of SEO experts check their website’s domain rating at least once a month. But what exactly is domain authority, and why should you care about it? Let's break it down.

Understanding Domain Authority

Domain authority is a measurement of how likely your website is to rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). Moz, the SEO whizzes, first introduced this metric. It's a score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a better chance of ranking. Other tools like Ahrefs have similar metrics, but Moz's domain authority is a popular one.

Importance of Domain Authority

Why Domain Authority Matters

So, why should you care about domain authority? In a nutshell, it helps you gauge your website's competitiveness in your niche. A higher domain authority means you're more likely to rank well, which can lead to increased organic traffic and, ultimately, more conversions—whether that's sign-ups, sales, or phone calls.

Domain Authority vs. Page Authority

Before we go further, let's clear up a common confusion. Domain authority measures the overall strength of your entire website, while page authority looks at the ranking potential of a single page. Both are important, but improving your domain authority will generally boost your individual pages' authority too.

How Domain Authority is Calculated

Factors Influencing Domain Authority

So, how does Moz calculate this magic number? It comes down to backlinks—the number and quality of sites linking to yours. If high-authority sites are linking to you, that's a big thumbs up. Moz's algorithm, which they tweak occasionally, considers these backlinks and a few other factors to give you a score.

Increasing Domain Authority

Step 1: Get the Basics Right

First things first, make sure your website's foundation is solid. Optimize your on-page content, ensure your site loads quickly, and make it mobile-friendly. Don't forget internal links—they help search engines understand your content better. An SEO audit can pinpoint where you need improvements, and you’re in luck! Download our Free Website Audit Checklist to make sure your website is up to snuff. Enjoy! 

Step 2: Build High-Quality Backlinks

When it comes to domain authority, high-quality backlinks are your best friends. Here's how to get them:

1. Create Great Content: Produce in-depth, research-driven content that's better than what's already out there. Think original studies, detailed guides, and insightful articles. If you noticed, I linked to another study at the beginning of this blog, giving that website a backlink. When you create high-quality, helpful content, people will link to your site!

2. Promote Your Content: Share your content on social media and with your email newsletter list to get more eyes on it. The more people who see it, the better your chances of getting backlinks.

3. Implement a Link-Building Strategy: Reach out to authoritative sites and ask them to link to your content. Be polite and show them why your content is valuable. Be prepared to pay for backlinks at this stage.

4. Commit to Guest Blogging: Write guest posts for reputable sites in your industry. It's a great way to get backlinks and drive traffic to your own site.

Step 3: Reduce Low-Quality Backlinks

Not all backlinks are created equal. Low-quality or spammy links can actually hurt your domain authority. Use tools like SEMrush to identify these bad links and remove or disavow them through Google.

Benefits of High Domain Authority

Correlation with Higher Rankings

Numerous studies have shown that websites with higher domain authority tend to rank better and attract more organic traffic. It's not a guarantee, but it's a strong indicator that your SEO efforts are on the right track. Learn about Search Engine Optimization in our previous blog.

Insight into Backlink Profile

Domain authority offers a quick snapshot of your backlink profile's health. It helps you assess your competition and track your SEO progress over time, making it a valuable metric for any digital marketer.

Maintaining and Tracking Domain Authority

Regular Monitoring

Checking your domain authority regularly, about once a month, is a good practice. This frequency lets you see changes over time without becoming overwhelmed by constant monitoring. Tools like Moz's Link Explorer, Majestic's Site Explorer, and Ahrefs' Domain Rating are great for this.

Common Pitfalls

Beware of common pitfalls that can lower your domain authority, like participating in link schemes or accumulating lots of low-quality links. This may seem like a good idea in the short term, but long term you will pay the price. Technical issues like slow site speed and broken links can also hurt your score.

Conclusion

Domain authority is a powerful metric that can give you a pretty good idea of how well your website might rank on search engine result pages. By focusing on high-quality backlinks, creating great content, and keeping your site optimized and mobile-friendly, you can gradually boost your domain authority and stand out against your competitors. Remember, while domain authority is a fantastic predictor of success, it's not the only factor to consider. Keep an eye on your overall SEO strategy, track your progress, and stay adaptable to changes. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to climbing those search engine ranks and driving more organic traffic to your site!

In order to start improving your website's domain authority, you need to have an optimized site that is doing all the SEO basics correctly. Download our Free Website Audit Checklist to get your website up to snuff today!