Why Links Matter for Your Website (and How to Add Them)
Your website is part of something bigger
If you've been working on how your site is experienced by visitors and search engines, it's worth thinking about something that quietly shapes both: links.
Links are literally how the web holds together. Every time you connect one page to another, whether inside your own site or out to somewhere else, you're creating a path for people to follow. And when other websites link to yours, Google takes that as a sign your site is worth paying attention to.
How to link between pages on your website
The links inside your own site matter more than you might think. They help visitors find what they need, and they show Google how well your content is organised and how it fits together.
Think about it from a visitor's perspective. Someone reads about your services and wants to know your prices. On a computer, SimDif keeps your menu visible, but on a phone your menu is tucked behind a button. If there's a link right there in your text, visitors tap it and keep going. If there isn't, they have to open the menu, or possibly, they leave.
Adding links in SimDif is straightforward
While editing text, highlight the words you want to turn into a link, tap the chain icon ?, and choose the destination page. Use link text that tells visitors where they're going. "See our weekend workshop schedule" is much more helpful than "click here."
Mega Buttons make important connections stand out
A Mega Button is a special block that links to another page on your site and automatically shows a preview of that page's content. Visitors can see what they'll find before they tap. This works especially well on your homepage, where you're guiding people toward the pages that matter most.
A good test of your links and buttons
Imagine your site had no menu at all. Could a visitor still find their way around just by following links and buttons? If yes, your internal linking is working well.
Why linking to other websites helps your visitors
It might seem strange to send visitors away from your site. But a well-chosen external link actually builds trust. You're showing that you know your subject well enough to point people toward other helpful resources.
If you run a guesthouse, linking to a local restaurant guide gives your visitors something genuinely useful. If you're a tutor, linking to free practice resources shows you care about your students' progress, not just your own business.
You can also use external links to connect visitors to your own presence elsewhere: your blog, your YouTube channel, your social media pages.
When other websites link to yours, Google notices
Links from other websites to yours are called "backlinks." Think of them as recommendations. When a trusted site links to yours, it tells Google your site has something worth visiting. Quality matters much more than quantity here.
Where can you find good backlinks?
Your Google Business Profile is a natural starting point. It puts your website link on Google Maps, where local customers are already searching.
Professional and local directories are another good fit. Many industries and regions have directories where you can list your business for free. Review sites like TripAdvisor or Yelp (or their equivalents in your country) are worth checking too. Make sure your website address is included in each profile.
Social media counts as well. Your Facebook page, Instagram bio, YouTube channel: each one links back to your website.
And if you know other local businesses, consider suggesting a link exchange. It's a simple way to support each other, and both sites benefit
Get a quality backlink from the SimDif Directory
If you have a Smart or Pro site, you can add it to the SimDif Directory. With over 400 categories, you'll find the right place for your business, and this quality backlink from an established source helps Google discover your site.
You can also add your business address, logo, social media profiles, and opening hours in a format search engines understand.
One connection at a time
Start with one small step: add a link between two related pages on your site, or make sure your website address is on your Google Business Profile.
Each link you create, inside your site or from somewhere else on the web, makes your website a little easier to find and a little more useful to visit. Over time, these small connections add up.
