Local link building tactics for small businesses can make or break your business’s online presence, and it can feel overwhelming. With a million things to worry about as a small business owner, it’s hard to prioritize local link building. But this is what can make your business stand out in local searches, bring in new customers, and make your online presence as strong as possible. Local link building involves acquiring backlinks from other businesses in your region and industry to increase relevance for your location, but that’s only one part of it.
Why Local Link Building Is Crucial for Small Businesses
Local link building is crucial for small businesses because it significantly impacts your visibility in local search results. Let’s be real – when was the last time you scrolled past the first page of Google when looking for something? BrightLocal’s 2023 local consumer survey found that a whopping 87% of people use Google to search for businesses.
Think of it this way: the higher you rank in local search results, the more likely people are to find you and engage with your services. Local link building strategies are a key factor in building credibility and increasing local rankings. Links act as votes of confidence from other websites, showing Google that your website is a credible source of information for those searching for businesses like yours in the local area. This trust is valuable. Strong local link signals often translate into better local search rankings, putting you ahead of competitors in the eyes of both potential customers AND Google.
How to Get Started With Local Link Building Tactics
Starting with local link building might seem daunting. But, you can take it step by step and easily manage the process. Here’s how to get started with local link building strategies.
1. Start with Local Business Directories and Local Listings
Local listings are your first stop. It’s free and puts your business information out there, similar to a digital phonebook, like a virtual Yellow Pages. Websites like Yelp, YellowPages, and the Better Business Bureau all contribute to giving your site an initial boost. Business listings or an citation also help establish credibility with search engines, making it easier to build local links over time. Don’t be afraid to search specifically – think industry AND location-specific options, too. If you’re a coffee roaster in Seattle, try searching for “Seattle coffee roaster directory.”
2. Dive into Guest Posting to Build Backlink Locally
This strategy goes beyond simply getting listed. Guest posting is when you write and publish blog posts or articles for other websites within your local area. Look for blogs or businesses that are relevant to your industry but not directly competing. This helps attract inbound links from reputable sources, which can significantly improve your local SEO.
Imagine this – you run a local bakery in Austin, Texas. You could write a guest post for a local food blogger, or a lifestyle magazine also located in Austin, about the best pastries for different occasions or tips for perfecting a sourdough starter. The result? Exposure to their audience, a valuable backlink, and the start of potentially long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
3. Become a Valuable Resource
Crafting high-quality, localized content positions your website as a go-to source in your industry, ultimately attracting organic backlinks. Consider crafting content like “Top 10 Hiking Trails Near [Your City]” if you’re an outdoor gear shop. People are already looking for that – why not have YOUR content, and your site, be the place they find it? Local guides are shareable and are prime candidates for backlinks from other blogs or community pages.
4. Spot Those Unlinked Mentions
Did you know even without a backlink, just having your business name mentioned on websites or in online articles about your local area holds SEO value? It’s called an unlinked brand mention. They are potential links waiting to happen.
Once you’ve found these mentions, which you can easily do using SEO tools, send an email to the site owners and suggest they make it a link. They’re more likely to add the link because you’ve shown them an easy way to improve their own SEO while adding value to their audience.
5. Partner Up with Local Businesses to Build Local Links
Networking isn’t limited to handshakes and business cards. This local link building strategy revolves around partnering with other local businesses to exchange backlinks or collaborate on content. For example, a yoga studio might partner with a local health food shop to cross-promote and build mutual SEO strength. These partnerships help generate valuable backlinks while improving your business’s local authority.
6. Leverage Local Citations and Local Directories to Boost SEO
Local citations are mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites. Even without a backlink, citations carry SEO value because they verify your business information across different online platforms. These online local mentions strengthen your credibility and help improve your rankings in local search results.
Leveraging Online Tools for Local Link Building Strategies
Even if you have a good grasp on local link-building tactics for small businesses, online tools are extremely helpful for managing your campaign, and it’s silly not to take advantage of what they have to offer.
Tools To Use
- Ahrefs: An all-in-one SEO powerhouse, great for analyzing competitors’ backlinks.
- Mention or Brand24: Perfect for staying in the loop on who’s talking about you (or your competitors) online.
- Meetup.com: Ideal for plugging into local events and networking groups to seek out local link opportunities.
Local Link Building Tips for Social Media Engagement
Local social media platforms play a significant role in link building for small businesses. Building links from your social media profiles helps boost your website’s authority in your city, while engaging with influencers or local businesses through social media can open doors to more local link-building collaborations.
Not sure where to start? These local link-building tactics will help get you going:
1. Optimize Your Social Media Profiles
Make sure your profiles are complete and include your business name, address, phone number (NAP), and website URL. This makes it easier for people (and search engines) to find and connect with you. Ensure this information is consistent across all platforms for brand consistency.
2. Engage With Local Influencers and Businesses
Think local bloggers, businesses, and community leaders. Engage with their content, share it, and tag them when relevant. They could return the favor, exposing you to a new local audience and potentially opening doors for link-building collaborations.
3. Run Local Contests and Giveaways
Everyone loves a freebie, right? Hosting contests or giveaways where a requirement for entry is to tag a local friend or share your post to their stories helps get people talking about your brand and drives traffic to your social media profiles and website.
The Benefits of Local Link Building Strategies for Small Business
Why should you care about all of this? Because there are tangible benefits to locally link building. Putting in the time now will reward your business in the long run.
1. Higher Rankings, More Visibility
Local link building is like word-of-mouth on steroids – it helps your business get seen by the right people, those actively searching for businesses just like yours, right now.
2. More Traffic, More Customers
When your local business ranks higher in search results and is more visible online, you attract more organic traffic. This increased traffic translates to more potential customers discovering your website and, ultimately, engaging with your business, leading to more leads, inquiries, and sales.
3. It Strengthens Brand Trust and Authority
When other reputable businesses and websites link back to your site, it enhances your business’s credibility within the community. This boosted credibility can lead to higher conversion rates and increase brand loyalty.
Measuring the Success of Your Local Link Building Strategy
It’s one thing to create a link-building strategy, but it’s important to track your efforts to see how your campaign is performing and tweak where necessary. By analyzing what’s effective, and what isn’t, you can ensure the effectiveness of your overall link building efforts.
Track Your Backlinks
Regularly monitor your backlink profile to understand how your efforts translate into tangible results. Use SEO tools or sites to show you:
- New Backlinks
- Lost Backlinks
- Backlink Quality
- Anchor Text
- Referring Domains
Focus on Your Website Traffic and Rankings
Pay close attention to your website’s traffic and rankings to understand how your local link-building strategy is impacting your overall visibility.
Listen To Your Customers
Your customers are a goldmine of information. Take the time to talk to them about what led them to your business. Was it through your website, social media, or a referral?
Conclusion
Local link building tactics for small businesses are essential to help your business thrive in an increasingly online world. By consistently focusing on local backlinking through strategies such as local directories, guest posting, becoming a valuable local resource online, catching those unlinked brand mentions, strategic partnerships with other local businesses, and leveraging social media, you put yourself ahead.
If you’re ready to take your local SEO efforts to the next level and explore how local search services can enhance your online presence, don’t hesitate to contact the Techniques Marketing Strategists. Our team of experts is here to guide you through every step of the way, ensuring that your business gains the visibility and traffic it deserves.