If you're trying to market a local business online, earning quality local links isn’t just good for local SEO; it’s a game-changer for your business. You might wonder if link building is still relevant, especially when the immediate SEO benefits aren’t clear. But here’s the kicker: building awareness through local links is often overlooked yet incredibly powerful.
When potential customers embark on their research journey, they look for answers from trusted sources. Earning links from respected local websites can catapult your visibility, helping your business pop up on their radar. Think about it: a link from your local chamber of commerce could place you right in front of other businesses and decision-makers in your area. That’s the ultimate goal of local SEO, isn’t it?
But don’t just stop at chambers of commerce—directories and review sites are your allies, too. If someone is hunting for the best place to buy meat in Chicago, a well-placed link can make all the difference.
What Is Local Link Building?
Local link building involves acquiring links from other local websites—news sites, local businesses, or directories. The crucial factor is that these links come from sources specific to your area. So, how do you start building local backlinks?
It can seem daunting, but there are plenty of avenues to explore. Begin with business directories and review sites, which are your ticket to entry for building awareness. Target directories that rank high for relevant local searches. Major citation sites like Yelp, alongside niche-specific directories, should be your go-to.
Nine Local Link Building Tactics
Find Local Sponsorship OpportunitiesSponsoring local teams or events is a fantastic way to gain visibility. Utilize links from sponsorship pages to generate leads that are highly relevant to the audience you’re reaching out to. Local sports shops can sponsor youth teams and even offer team-specific discounts.
Mike Ramsey from NiftyMarketing suggests doing custom searches to find sponsorship opportunities in your area. Try searching terms like inurl:sponsors "City name" or intitle:sponsors "City name" to dig up potential partnerships.
Get Involved with Local EventsWhere does your community congregate? Engage with existing local events that are promoted online—think local government sites or Facebook groups. By aligning with these events, you can earn valuable links while generating leads.
Greg Gifford, COO at SearchLab Digital, emphasizes the potential of local meetups. Offer to host a meetup in your space, and voilà, you’ve just secured a killer local link.
Consider Offering ScholarshipsScholarships are an underutilized link-building tactic. Offer a scholarship to local students who may also become your customers. For instance, a local sports shop could support a student-athlete excelling in academics and athletics. The goodwill generated from this initiative can lead to significant brand awareness and local links.
Leverage Local Community SitesLocal community boards, not-for-profits, and even local media outlets are treasure troves for link opportunities. Get involved by sharing your expertise, writing articles, or even hosting a fundraiser. By contributing, you can earn local links and enhance your visibility.
Support Your Local CharitiesCharities often face challenges, especially during tough economic times. As a local business, you can offer your expertise or resources to help them while also building local links. Many charities highlight their donors on social media and websites, so your contributions can lead to valuable backlinks.
Connect with Local CreativesBecome a known figure in your local creative community. Whether it's podcasts, local news, or theater groups, connecting with these creatives can lead to collaboration opportunities and backlinks. Offer your insights or expertise, and you’ll likely find yourself featured, complete with a link back to your site.
Create Local Case StudiesHighlight your work with local businesses or charities through case studies. If you’ve provided exceptional service or value, ask those partners to feature you on their website, ideally with a link and a testimonial.
Create an Ongoing Column with Your Local Paper or News SitePosition yourself as a local expert by writing a column for your area’s newspaper or prominent blog. Local media often welcomes knowledgeable contributors, providing you with not just a link but enhanced local visibility.
Apply to Speak at Local EventsSpeaking at local events boosts both your personal and business brand. You often receive a link back from the event’s website, along with exposure in marketing materials. Scour local listings for relevant events that fit your business niche.
Does Link Building Affect Local SEO?
Absolutely! Almost every local SEO expert agrees that link building is a significant factor in boosting local search rankings. Google itself confirms that links play a vital role in improving local rankings.
Keep these guidelines in mind as you pursue local link building:
Don’t get hung up on domain metrics; focus on relevance instead.
Don’t ignore NoFollow links—Google treats them as “hints” for crawling and indexing.
Don’t dismiss linkless citations; they help establish your prominence in the local market.
Focus on local relevance when prospecting for links.
Use local maps for hyper-local research, expanding outward to uncover link opportunities.
Consider using crawlers to identify sites with broken links or outdated content for easy link acquisition.
Building local links isn’t just about boosting SEO; it’s about generating real-world customers and leads. If you’ve already put some of these strategies into action, you might be witnessing the business impact of local links already.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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