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How to measure your website’s domain authority

October 3rd 2024

By Emily

When it comes to building a successful online presence, domain authority (DA) is one of the most crucial metrics to consider. It’s not just about having a beautifully designed site; you need to have the strength and credibility that drives traffic and boosts your rankings on search engines like Google.

But what exactly is domain authority, and how do you measure it?

Let’s break it down.

What is domain authority?

In simple terms, domain authority is a score that predicts how likely your website is to rank in search engine results. Developed by Moz, DA is calculated on a scale from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a stronger ability to rank. Think of it as your website’s “online credibility.”

While DA itself isn’t a direct ranking factor for Google, it’s a good indicator of how well your site is performing in terms of SEO and overall search engine trust.

Why does domain authority matter?

The higher your DA, the more trustworthy and authoritative your site appears, making it more likely to rank well for relevant keywords. A website with a high DA typically has more high-quality backlinks, strong content, and a solid technical SEO foundation—basically all the things search engines love.

This means that if you want to outrank your competitors, increasing your DA is a good place to start. It’s not the only thing to focus on, but it’s a solid metric to keep in your SEO toolkit.

How to measure domain authority

Measuring your DA is dead simple, but you need to know where to look. There are several tools available that will give you a DA score, and each tool might calculate it slightly differently. Here are the main options:

1. Moz domain authority tool

Moz is the creator of the domain authority metric, so it’s one of the most popular tools for checking your DA score. Simply head to Moz’s Link Explorer and enter your website’s URL to get an instant DA score.

This tool will not only provide your domain authority score but will also show key metrics like linking domains, top-performing pages, and backlink quality.

2. Ahrefs domain rating

While not exactly the same as Moz’s DA, Ahrefs’ Domain Rating (DR) is another popular metric for measuring a website’s authority. Ahrefs uses its own calculation to score websites based on the quality and quantity of backlinks.

It’s a great alternative if you want a slightly different view of your site’s authority and link-building efforts.

3. SEMrush authority score

SEMrush also provides an Authority Score, which blends several metrics like organic traffic, backlinks, and overall site health to give you an idea of how your website ranks in terms of authority. The score ranges from 0 to 100, similar to Moz, and it’s a solid option if you’re already using SEMrush for your SEO efforts.

4. Ubersuggest

A free alternative is Neil Patel’s Ubersuggest, which offers a quick and simple way to check your DA score. While Ubersuggest’s authority metrics might not be as comprehensive as Moz or Ahrefs, it’s an easy tool to use for quick insights.

What impacts your domain authority?

Now that you know how to check your domain authority, let’s talk about what actually affects it. Here are the key factors:

1. Backlink quality

It’s not just about how many backlinks you have but where they come from. High-quality links from authoritative websites will significantly boost your DA. Spammy, low-quality links? Not so much.

2. Content quality

High-quality, original content that engages your audience and provides real value will naturally attract backlinks and improve your DA. Focus on creating content that people want to share and link to.

3. On-page SEO

Your technical SEO matters. Optimising your site for keywords, meta tags, and site structure all contribute to a stronger DA. A well-organised website is easier for search engines to crawl and index.

4. Website structure and user experience

How user-friendly your site is can also play a role. Websites that load quickly, are mobile-friendly, and have a clean, navigable structure tend to perform better in search engines, which can help boost your DA.

How to improve your domain authority

So, your DA isn’t where you want it to be—what can you do about it?

Here’s a roadmap to start improving your domain authority:

1. Build high-quality backlinks

Backlinks are the backbone of domain authority. Focus on getting links from authoritative sites within your industry. Guest posting, partnering with influencers, and creating shareable content are all excellent ways to attract high-quality backlinks.

2. Create killer content

Content is king. Regularly publish high-quality, informative content that your target audience will find valuable. The more shareable and link-worthy your content is, the more likely you are to earn those high-quality backlinks.

3. Optimise your on-page SEO

Ensure that your website is optimised for search engines. This means using the right keywords, meta descriptions, alt text for images, and ensuring that your site is structured in a way that’s easy to navigate.

4. Fix technical SEO issues

A healthy website is one that search engines can easily crawl. Ensure your site is free of broken links, duplicate content, and slow page load times. Technical SEO audits should be a regular part of your website maintenance.

5. Stay patient

Improving your domain authority takes time. It’s not an overnight fix, but with consistent effort, you’ll start to see steady progress. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

The bottom line

Domain authority is a valuable metric, but it’s not the only one you should focus on. Keep your eye on the bigger picture: creating great content, building meaningful relationships with authoritative sites, and maintaining a solid technical SEO foundation.

Need help boosting your DA? We’re all about it here at KOTA. Let’s have a chat and see how we can take your website’s authority to the next level.

Drop us a line at hello@kota.co.uk.

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