Starting a fashion brand can be tricky, especially when you're trying to get noticed online. New brands often deal with challenges that make it hard to stand out. Here are some of the issues you might come across:
- Standing Out Against Big Brands: With search results dominated by giants, getting noticed takes more than just good products—it’s all about savvy link-building.
- Building Trust as a New Brand: Shoppers might hesitate to try new brands, but securing backlinks from established fashion sites can change that. By ranking higher in search results, your brand becomes more visible over time, building recognition and making potential customers more comfortable with choosing you.
- Managing Seasonal Sales Downturns: Fashion sales can take a hit at times, but building strong backlinks helps keep your brand in the spotlight. Better search rankings mean you’re more likely to attract customers, even during those slower months.
How does link building help? A study by Ahrefs showed that the number of backlinks a web page has, is directly correlated with the amount of organic traffic it receives. When fashion-focused sites link to you, it’s not just about visibility; it shows potential customers that you’re part of the conversation in the industry. Relevant backlinks help you reach an audience that's already interested in fashion, making it easier to convert visits into sales. Plus, search engines are more likely to boost your rankings when they see connections to similar, trusted sites.
Ready to get started? Here are 11 proven strategies to help you build the backlinks your brand needs. Let’s jump in!
1. Link Building through Influential Fashion Blogger Collaborations
Link Building through Influential Fashion Blogger Collaborations involves partnering with well-respected fashion bloggers to create content that features your brand and includes backlinks to your website. To make this strategy work for you, identify bloggers whose style and audience match your brand. Propose creative collaborations, like hosting a giveaway or launching a limited-edition product together. These partnerships not only generate buzz but often come with backlinks to your site in their content. The key is to align with bloggers whose audience matches your target market.
Here’re are our top picks for you:
Real-World Example
The Fashionista x Bluboho collaboration is a prime example of how to score valuable backlinks through influencer partnerships. Fashionista, a top name in the fashion industry with an authority score of 55 and 299,4k organic traffic, showcased Bluboho’s eye-catching jewelry in a vibrant blog post that included direct links to their site. By working with a trusted fashion blogger, Bluboho tapped into a powerful source of backlinks, making it easier for potential customers to discover their unique pieces.
2. Guest Posting
Guest Posting involves creating engaging articles as a guest author for other fashion blogs or websites to earn fashion backlinks to your site. It’s a fantastic way to showcase your expertise and reach new audiences.
Tip: To get started, search for reputable fashion sites that align with your brand by using keywords like 'fashion blog' or 'write for us' along with your niche, such as 'sustainable fashion' or 'streetwear.'
If your brand focuses on sustainability, pitch articles to eco-conscious fashion blogs with titles like 'Choosing Eco-Friendly Fabrics' or 'How to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe.' If you're in the streetwear space, collaborate with urban fashion sites, like Karmaloop or Urban Industry, by sharing insights on trending looks or styling tips. Make sure your content offers unique insights or tips that resonate with their readers. Let’s see a valid example for better understanding:
Real-World Example
A great example of a fashion website that offers guest posting opportunities for smaller fashion brands is Pinktown USA. This trendy jewelry brand invites fashion enthusiasts to “write for us” and share their unique styling insights as a guest author and get a backlink. By contributing articles that highlight different ways to wear their pieces or discuss current jewelry trends, you can attract Pinktown USA’s engaged audience. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure for your brand.
3. Digital PR for Fashion Backlinks
Digital PR link building in the fashion industry is all about crafting and sharing news stories that draw the attention of fashion journalists and influencers. By focusing on trending hot topics, the goal is to earn high-quality backlinks from reputable fashion publications.
First of all, you should create content on a trending fashion topic. This way, you’ll have a story that catches journalists' interest and fits current industry buzz. Then find fashion journalists who write for websites that match your brand. Once you have a list, reach out to them with specific story ideas that fit their content.
For example, if a journalist is writing about the comeback of 90s fashion, you could offer them a story idea that combines data analysis with 90s fashion nostalgia such as a guide on “90s Fashion Comeback: The Trends Millennials and Gen Z Can’t Get Enough Of”
Tips for Effective Digital PR Link Building:
- Hoping On the Trend: Create a piece of content on a trending hot topic in your industry that would naturally attract both journalists and fashion enthusiasts.
- Find the Right Journalists: Use tools like Cision or Muck Rack to discover fashion journalists who write for relevant websites.
- Make Your Pitches Personal: Tailor your messages to match what the journalist is currently writing about to grab their attention.
- Show Why It’s Worth Writing About: In your pitch, clearly express that you’re offering a story that’s perfect for their audience. Highlight how it taps into current trends and brings fresh, exclusive insights. This makes it easy for them to see why it’s a story worth covering and how it adds value to their readers.
Real-World Example
A standout example of digital PR from an indie brand is Hanifa’s Virtual Fashion Show on Instagram Live. During the pandemic, Hanifa broke fashion norms by using 3D digital avatars instead of live models, streaming a visually stunning show that captivated audiences.
The campaign quickly went viral, with major publications like Teen Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar covering Hanifa’s inventive approach and resulting in quality backlinks. This strategic use of digital media helped boost Hanifa’s SEO and online visibility, proving that an inventive approach can attract valuable links from major media outlets, even for a smaller brand.
4. Infographics
Infographics link building is a strategy that involves creating visually appealing infographics to attract links from other websites. By presenting complex information in a clear and engaging way, these infographics encourage sharing and embedding, making it easier for your brand to earn high-quality backlinks.
Here are some cool ideas for fashion industry infographics:
- "The Evolution of Fashion Trends Over the Last Decade"
- “100 Years of Iconic Fashion”
- “Celebrity Looks You Can Copy”
- "Capsule Wardrobe Essentials for Every Season"
- "Color Combinations for Every Season"
Real-World Example
Hi Fashion's "Brief History of Party Wear" infographic effectively illustrates the evolution of women's party attire from the 1920s to the present. This visual narrative has been shared across various fashion and history blogs, enhancing Hi Fashion's online visibility and authority. The engaging content and informative design have attracted backlinks from multiple websites, contributing to improved search engine rankings and increased traffic to Hi Fashion's platform.
5. Resource Hub
Resource page link building is about creating a dedicated page on your website that collects useful resources for the fashion industry. This page acts as a one-stop shop for insights, tools, and information, making it an appealing destination for others in your niche to link to.
Real-World Example
An excellent example of a resource hub is Sustainably Chic’s "Sustainable Children's Clothing & Accessories" page. This curated page offers eco-conscious parents a go-to resource for finding organic baby clothes, kids’ apparel, and eco-friendly toys—all in one place.
The well-organized hub quickly caught the attention of parenting and sustainability blogs, earning valuable backlinks and boosting Sustainably Chic’s authority in the eco-friendly space.
6. Get Listed in Fashion Directories
Fashion directory link building is about getting your brand included in curated online directories that showcase fashion brands, designers, and related services. These directories are helpful resources for consumers and industry professionals alike, which makes them trusted sources in the fashion world.
Here’s a list of the top 5 fashion directories according to us:
Real-World Example
Fashion & Style Directory is a great example of a fashion directory. When your brand gets listed here, it also gets a direct link to your website, allowing you to benefit from the platform’s strong domain authority.
7. Use HARO to Securen Fashion Backlinks
Using Help a Reporter Out (HARO) for link building means answering requests from journalists who are looking for expert insights for their articles. When you provide valuable and timely information, they may mention you and include a backlink to your website in their published pieces.
Sign up for HARO and filter requests to those specifically seeking fashion-related insights.
Real-World Example
A great way to see HARO in action is by simply searching "fashion" in the HARO request feed. By doing this, you can find dozens of journalist requests on topics ranging from sustainable fashion to seasonal styling tips. For example, you might see a journalist looking for expert opinions on eco-friendly fabrics or emerging fashion trends. By responding promptly and providing insightful commentary, you increase your chances of being featured, often with a backlink to your website.
8. Focus on Broken Link Building
Broken link building is an advanced SEO strategy that involves identifying broken links on fashion websites and offering your content as a replacement. This not only helps the website owner fix an issue but also earns you a valuable backlink. So, win-win!
Use tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog or Semrush to find broken links on relevant fashion blogs or directories. If you find a broken link pointing to outdated content on a topic you’ve covered, reach out to the site owner and suggest your article as a replacement.
For instance, if a fashion site links to an expired page about sustainable fabrics, you could suggest your own guide on eco-friendly materials as an updated resource.
Real-World Example
Let’s say a popular site, like Anthropologie, has earned backlinks to a specific piece of content. If that link now leads to a 404 error, other sites linking to it have a broken link. Broken links are problematic for any website, as they affect user experience and can harm SEO.
Here’s where you come in.
Find these websites that linked to the now-broken page (you can see them on the screenshot below named: “Source” ) and reach out to suggest a fix. Let them know you have similar content and suggest they replace the broken link with a link to your relevant content or product page.
This approach helps the site owner by fixing an outdated link and gives you a valuable backlink in return. It’s a win-win that improves their site and boosts your visibility.
9. Backlinks from Fashion Brands
Getting backlinks from fashion brands is a strategic approach to building fashion backlinks by involving a third-party site in the linking process. This is a smart way to get fashion backlinks from other fashion brands—even competitors!
Here’s the idea: instead of doing a straight link swap, you offer them a backlink from a reliable third-party site you work with. In return, they link back to your site, creating a natural link setup that search engines love. So, it’s a win-win!
Real-World Example
Here’s how a three-way link exchange could work for you in the fashion space:
- You ( Brand A) can reach out to a fashion brand ( Brand B ) to feature Your brand’s jewelry in a blog post about eco-friendly accessories, providing a backlink to your website.
- In turn, you offer them a backlink from a third website(Brand C) that’s so reputable, they can't say no to. Then, you collaborate with Fashion Blog C to publish an article on sustainable fashion trends, which includes a backlink to Brand A's website. Done!
10. Fashion Podcasts and Interviews
Podcast link building is about becoming a guest on fashion-related podcasts to share your expertise and insights. Most podcasts provide show notes or full transcriptions on their websites, which often include links to the guest's website or any products mentioned during the episode.
You can start by reaching out to fashion podcasts that align with your brand’s style or values. Pitch a compelling story or insight that you can share with their audience. After the episode airs, you’ll usually get a backlink from the podcast’s site, either to your homepage or a specific product or blog post you mentioned.
Real-World Example
A great example of this is Blamo! Podcast featuring Graham Ebner. In this episode, Graham Ebner shares insights into his career and personal journey in the fashion industry, discussing unique perspectives that resonate with listeners. The episode notes include links to Ebner's work, allowing him to gain visibility and drive traffic back to his site.
11. Fashion Whitepapers
Fashion whitepaper link building is all about creating original research or in-depth industry reports that fashion websites and bloggers can reference. This could take the form of surveys, market trend analyses, or detailed studies on specific topics like sustainability or consumer behavior. By publishing these valuable resources, you give others in the industry something to cite, which can help you earn high-quality backlinks.
Here’s what you can do: For instance, you could conduct a survey on emerging fashion trends or analyze how social media impacts purchasing decisions in fashion. Once published, these reports can serve as valuable resources for other sites that want to cite your findings, which often includes linking back to your website.
Real-World Example
A perfect example of this strategy is McKinsey’s “State of Fashion” report, which has garnered over 5,100 FOLLOW backlinks. By publishing this in-depth industry report, McKinsey has created a valuable resource that is widely referenced across fashion blogs, news sites, and industry publications, resulting in a substantial number of high-quality fashion backlinks.
What Websites Are More Likely to Link to Your Fashion Brand?
Websites that relate to the fashion industry and your niche are usually the best sources for valuable fashion backlinks. Here are some categories to focus on:
- Fashion Magazines and Blogs: Big-name magazines and style blogs that cover trends, brand stories, and styling tips.
- Lifestyle Sites: Sites focused on lifestyle, wellness, and beauty often feature fashion brands.
- Industry-Specific Publications: Outlets dedicated to niches like sustainable fashion, luxury, or streetwear.
- Shopping Guides and Retail Blogs: Sites that offer shopping advice or curated collections can link to your brand.
- Educational Resources: Platforms with tutorials, courses, or resources in fashion and design may link to your brand as an example.
- Podcasts: Fashion podcasts are a great backlink source, as they usually link to guest sites or products in the show notes.
Finding Prospects to Link to Your Fashion Brand
If you’re serious about making your fashion brand stand out online, building a strong backlink profile is essential. But hunting down quality sites to link back to you? That can be a time-drain. But guess what?
Linkee makes it easy. It brings the best link opportunities in the fashion world right to you—no endless searches, no guesswork, just high-quality sites that can actually make a difference. With Linkee, you’ll save time and get your brand in front of the right audience, building a backlink profile that drives real visibility and growth. Give your brand the boost it deserves with Linkee at your side.
FAQs About Fashion Backlinks
1. What makes a fashion backlink high-quality?
A high-quality fashion backlink comes from an authoritative, niche-relevant website. Website authority shows how strong a domain is in search rankings. This strength mainly comes from high-quality backlinks, which pass “link juice” to boost visibility. Different tools may score authority slightly differently, but backlinks are the key.
2. How many backlinks do I need to improve my SEO?
There’s no set number, but quality matters more than quantity. A few high-quality fashion backlinks from respected fashion sources—like well-known fashion blogs, magazines, or industry sites—will do far more for your SEO than dozens of low-quality links.
3. Is SEO a Good Start for a Fashion Brand?
Yes, SEO is ideal for a fashion brand. Databox reports that organic search is the highest-converting traffic source, with 65%. It boosts visibility, helps you reach people actively searching for your products, and drives long-term, targeted traffic. A strong SEO strategy builds credibility and is a cost-effective way to grow your brand online.
4. What Happens If My Niche is Fashion, but I Get a Backlink from a Tech Site?
If your niche is fashion, a few quality backlinks from tech sites—especially those covering fashion tech or e-commerce—can still add value. These links show diversity and can be beneficial if they’re relevant. However, too many unrelated backlinks may look unnatural to search engines and could hurt your SEO. Aim for quality links from sites that align with your brand for the best results.
5. Is Having Too Many Backlinks Bad for a New Fashion Website?
Yes, getting a ton of backlinks too fast can actually hurt a new brand. Search engines might see it as suspicious or unnatural, which could lead to penalties. It’s better to focus on building high-quality, relevant links gradually to build trust and credibility over time.
Maria Harutyunyan is the co-founder at Loopex Digital, one of the fast-growing SEO agencies in the world. She grew the agency to a 7-figure from the ground up in 3 years. Outside of Loopex Digital, Harutyunyan is a keynote speaker and SEO coach. She is the founder of the first SEO academy, an off-line training program in Yerevan, Armenia.