What You Need to Know About Resource Page Link Building
Table of Contents
- What Are Resource Pages?
- Why Resource Pages Matter for Your Website
- Finding Resource Pages in Your Niche
- Evaluating Resource Pages: Quality Over Quantity
- Creating Outreach-Worthy Content
- Crafting Your Outreach Message
- Building Relationships, Not Just Links
- Tracking Your Results
- Common Resource Page Outreach Mistakes to Avoid
- Conclusion
- April 30, 2025
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Have you ever wondered how some websites get links from all the right places? One of their secrets might be resource page outreach. This is a simple but powerful way to get your website noticed by more people.
What Are Resource Pages?
Why Resource Pages Matter for Your Website
More Visitors to Your Website
When your website appears on a resource page, people who trust that page will click through to visit your site. According to a study by Ahrefs, pages that rank on the first page of Google get about 95% of all clicks. Resource pages that rank well can send a steady stream of visitors to your site.
Better Search Engine Rankings
Links from trusted websites help search engines like Google decide that your website is also trustworthy. Resource pages from well-known organizations like universities, government agencies, or industry leaders are especially valuable.
According to Backlinko, websites with backlinks from multiple domains rank higher than those with fewer linking domains. Their analysis of 11.8 million Google search results found that the number of referring domains strongly correlates with higher rankings.
Building Your Reputation
Being included on resource pages, especially those from respected organizations, makes your website look more trustworthy to visitors. It’s like getting a thumbs-up from an expert in your field.
Finding Resource Pages in Your Niche
Use Google Search Operators
Google has special search commands that help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Here are some search phrases to try:
- [your topic] + “helpful resources”
- [your topic] + “useful links”
- [your topic] + “recommended websites”
- [your topic] + “resource page”
- [your topic] + “further reading”
For example, if your website is about gardening, you might search for “gardening + helpful resources” or “plant care + recommended websites.”
Check Out Your Competitors
Look at websites similar to yours that are doing well. Where are they getting their links from? You can use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to see who’s linking to your competitors. Many of these linking sites might have resource pages where your website could also fit.
Look for Industry Associations
Many industry groups and professional associations maintain resource pages for their members and the public. Find associations related to your field and check if they have resource pages.
Evaluating Resource Pages: Quality Over Quantity
Check the Website’s Authority
Is the website well-known and respected in your field? Resource pages from universities (.edu sites), government agencies (.gov sites), and established organizations usually carry more weight.
Look at the Page Quality
Visit the resource page and ask yourself:
- Is it well-organized and regularly updated?
- Does it include other quality websites?
- Does it look like someone cares about maintaining it?
Avoid pages that are full of low-quality links or seem abandoned.
Consider Relevance
The resource page should be closely related to your website’s topic. A perfect match means visitors are more likely to be interested in your site.
Creating Outreach-Worthy Content
Create Helpful, Original Resources
Resource pages want to link to unique, useful content. This could be:
- Comprehensive guides
- Original research or data
- Free tools or calculators
- Helpful infographics
- Well-organized collections of information
Make Sure Your Content is Up-to-Date
Outdated information won’t get you listed on quality resource pages. Keep your content fresh and accurate.
Create a Resource Section on Your Own Site
Having your own resource page can make your site more valuable. It shows you’re an authority in your field and gives others a reason to link to you.
Crafting Your Outreach Message
Find the Right Contact Person
Look for the person who manages the resource page. This might be:
- The website owner
- A content manager
- An editor
- A librarian or educator (for academic sites)
Finding the right person increases your chances of getting a response.
Write a Personal, Helpful Email
Your outreach email should:
- Address the person by name
- Mention something specific about their resource page
- Briefly explain your website and why it would help their audience
- Make it clear you’ve done your homework and aren’t sending a mass email
Example Outreach Email
Subject: Resource for your gardening tools page
Hi [Name],
I was researching container gardening techniques and came across your excellent resource page [URL]. I particularly found the section on urban gardening tools helpful for my small balcony garden.
I noticed you include resources on water-saving gardening techniques. I’ve recently published a comprehensive guide on drip irrigation systems for home gardens that includes step-by-step installation instructions and water conservation data. It might be a helpful addition to your resource list.
You can check it out here: [Your URL]
Either way, thanks for maintaining such a helpful resource for the gardening community.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Follow Up (But Don’t Pester)
If you don’t hear back, it’s okay to send one follow-up email after about two weeks. But don’t keep emailing if you still don’t get a response.
Building Relationships, Not Just Links
Engage With Their Content
Before reaching out, engage with the website by:
- Leaving thoughtful comments on blog posts
- Sharing their content on social media
- Mentioning their work in your own content
This helps the owner recognize you when you reach out.
Offer Something of Value
Think about how you can help the resource page owner, not just how they can help you. Maybe you could:
- Point out a broken link on their page (tactfully)
- Suggest other great resources besides your own
- Share their resource page with your audience
Keep the Relationship Going
After your site gets listed, stay in touch. Let them know when you publish new content that might interest them. Thank them for including you.
Tracking Your Results
Create a Simple Spreadsheet
Track:
- Resource page URL
- Contact person and email
- Date you reached out
- Response (yes, no, or no answer)
- Date your site was added (if successful)
Monitor Traffic from Resource Pages
Use Google Analytics or another analytics tool to see how much traffic you’re getting from each resource page. This helps you understand which listings are most valuable.
Watch for Improvements in Search Rankings
Track your search engine rankings before and after getting listed on resource pages. Over time, you should see improvements if you’re getting quality links.
Common Resource Page Outreach Mistakes to Avoid
Sending Mass Emails
Resource page owners can spot a copy-paste email a mile away. Always personalize your messages.
Asking Before Checking the Fit
Make sure your website truly belongs on the resource page before reaching out. If it’s not a good match, you’ll annoy the owner and waste your time.
Being Too Pushy
Remember, resource page owners don’t owe you a listing. Be respectful of their time and decisions.
Ignoring Guidelines
Some resource pages have specific submission guidelines. Always follow them carefully.
Conclusion
Meet The Author
John Wilson
John, the driving force behind Optisite Rocket, spent 10 fulfilling years as the owner of a contracting company, where he honed his skills and developed a deep love for the contracting industry. Seeing the dismal results from hiring many “experts” to build his website and do his SEO, he realized he needed to learn how to do this himself. This allowed him to build a thriving company in his local area. A sudden injury, however, curtailed his ability to continue hands-on work. Undeterred, John now channels his passion into educating and inspiring others. He aims to equip aspiring professionals with the necessary knowledge and tools to excel in this rewarding field.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many resource pages should I contact each month?
Quality matters more than quantity. Start with 10-15 highly relevant resource pages per month. This allows you to personalize each outreach message and follow up properly. As you get more comfortable with the process, you can increase your outreach.
What if a resource page asks for payment to include my link?
Paid links violate Google’s guidelines and could potentially harm your website’s search rankings. It’s best to thank them for their time and move on to other opportunities. Focus on resource pages that include links based on quality and relevance.
Should I mention my competitors when reaching out to resource pages?
Generally, no. Focus on why your website would benefit their audience. However, if you notice outdated or broken links on their page, you can tactfully mention that your resource could replace these problematic links.
How long does it typically take to see results from resource page outreach?
You might see some resource pages add your link within days, while others might take weeks or months. Search engine benefits typically begin to appear after 1-3 months of consistent outreach efforts. Traffic benefits can start immediately once you’re listed.
Is it worth contacting resource pages that aren't in the top search results?
Yes! While high-ranking resource pages might provide more traffic, newer or niche resource pages can still provide valuable links and targeted visitors. These pages might also be more open to adding new resources. As they grow in authority over time, your link grows in value too.
