Hey @Shopena,
I totally get where you're coming from—building backlinks for niche products like linemen tools and auto greasers can be a tough challenge, especially when most SEO advice out there is tailored for more common e-commerce categories like fashion or electronics. Here are some of my recommendations, hope this can help!
1. Competitor Backlink Research (Stealing What Works)
Since there aren’t many blogs covering your niche, one of the best ways to start is by looking at where your competitors are getting their backlinks from. Even if they don’t have the perfect strategy, you might find hidden gems—like industry directories, supplier lists, or trade publications that already link to businesses like yours.
I recommend using Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to check the backlinks of competing stores selling similar tools. Pay attention to:
- Industry blogs or trade publications mentioning your competitors
- Suppliers and manufacturers listing their distributors
- Resource pages (e.g., “Best Tools for Linemen”)
- Guest posts they’ve written
Once you have this list, you can start reaching out to these sites and see if they’re open to featuring your store too.
2. Getting Links Through Industry Partnerships & Suppliers
Since you’re selling specialized tools, you likely have existing relationships with manufacturers, distributors, or industry organizations. Many of them have a "Where to Buy" page listing their official retailers. If your suppliers haven’t listed you yet, reach out and ask—it’s an easy win!
Similarly, if you work with B2B clients or other businesses, ask them to give you a shout-out on their website if they feature recommended tools or case studies.
3. Getting Featured in Industry Blogs & Directories
Although there aren’t tons of blogs for linemen tools, there are still industry publications and forums where professionals hang out. Here are a few backlink-worthy opportunities:
- Guest blogging: Look for electrical trade websites, safety blogs, or industrial maintenance blogs that accept expert contributions. Offering insights on linemen safety gear, best practices, or tool maintenance can be a great way to earn backlinks.
- Industry directories: Many industries have association directories where suppliers, retailers, and manufacturers are listed. Search for directories related to linemen, safety equipment, or industrial tools and get your store listed.
- Resource pages: Some websites maintain lists of recommended tools for professionals—find these pages by searching Google for terms like:
- “Best tools for linemen”
- “Recommended safety equipment for utility workers”
- “Where to buy professional auto greasers”
If you find a relevant page, reach out to the site owner and suggest your store as a valuable addition!
4. Press Mentions & HARO (Help A Reporter Out)
One of the fastest ways to get backlinks from high-authority sites is through PR and media mentions. HARO (helpareporter.com) is a free platform where journalists look for expert insights. Sign up, keep an eye on requests related to tools, industrial equipment, or e-commerce, and reply with your insights. If a journalist uses your input, you’ll likely get featured with a backlink on a news or trade site.
5. Leveraging Niche Communities & Forums
Since linemen tools are highly specialized, professionals in the field often rely on niche forums and communities. Find relevant groups on:
- LinkedIn (Electrical Engineering & Utility Worker groups)
- Facebook (Linemen & Industrial Safety communities)
- Reddit (r/SkilledTrades, r/Tools, etc.)
- Trade forums for linemen, electricians, or utility workers
Engage in discussions, answer questions, and (where relevant) mention your tools. Over time, these communities can become a great organic traffic source, and some members might naturally link to your store in discussions or blog posts.
6. Realistic Expectations – When Will You See Results?
Backlinks take time to impact SEO. Generally:
- Weeks 1-4: Google finds & indexes new links (not much visible change yet).
- Months 1-3: Keywords start moving up in rankings.
- Months 3-6: Noticeable improvements in organic traffic and rankings.
- Months 6-12: If link-building is consistent, you can start ranking in top positions for niche keywords.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint—but with a steady backlink strategy, you’ll gain authority and outrank competitors over time.
You’re in a niche where backlinks won’t come from traditional sources, but that’s actually an opportunity—you don’t need hundreds of random links. Just a few strong, relevant backlinks from industry sources can make a huge difference.
I’d love to hear what strategies you try out and what works best for your store. Let me know if you have any questions—I’m happy to brainstorm more ideas! 🚀
Kate – CRO Expert at PageFly
PageFly – Shopify Landing Page Builder
