What is Local Link Building and Why is it Important?

Would you hire a local termite control company that nobody’s heard of or recommended? Probably not. Most of us would do some research, check reviews, and choose a company others have tried and trusted.

In the online world, having someone in your community vouch for your business works the same way. When another website links to yours — called a backlink — it’s like a vote of confidence that your business is valuable and trustworthy.

Backlinks are a big deal for SEO (search engine optimization). They don’t just help your website rank higher on search engines; they also make it easier for people in your area to find your business when they see a link to your site.

If you’re running a small or midsized business (SMB) and want tips on building local backlinks, you’re in the right place. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is local link building?
• Why is local link building important?
• How to get local backlinks

Want even more SEO tips? Join over 200,000 marketers who subscribe to our newsletter, Revenue Weekly, and get the latest digital marketing advice sent straight to your inbox!

What is Local Linking?

Local link building is all about getting other websites to link to your business’s site, specifically ones that are relevant to your local area. The goal? To bring more local visitors to your site and help it show up higher in search results for nearby customers.

Let’s say you own a bakery in Omaha, Nebraska. You want people in the city to find your bakery when they search for things like “best cupcakes in Omaha” or “local bakeries near me.” Getting links from local food blogs, influencers, or directories can give your SEO a big boost and help you reach those potential customers.

These local backlinks show people (and search engines) that your business is trustworthy and relevant to the community. They’re like a digital thumbs-up, signaling that your website is helpful for folks in your area!

Local Link Building Tips

Now that you know what local linking is and why it’s important, let’s dive into some practical tips to help you earn local backlinks:

• Claim your local citations
• Use link-building tools
• Create useful content for your local audience
• Connect with other local websites
• Collaborate with local businesses

Let’s break each one down:

1. Claim your citations

Start by listing your business on trustworthy local directories. These are websites like Yelp, Foursquare, and Yellow Pages that showcase your business info — including your website — to potential customers.

Don’t forget to update your Google My Business profile too! Make sure it includes accurate details like your website URL, address, and hours.

Tools like LocalFX can help streamline this process by syncing your info across multiple directories, so you don’t have to worry about outdated or missing details.

Also Read: How do I Track My Local SEO Performance?

2. Use link-building tools

Online tools can help you track and improve your backlinks. They’ll show you:

• How many backlinks you’ve earned
• The quality of those links
• Links you’ve lost
• Potential opportunities for new backlinks

For example, Ahrefs’ Link Intersect tool lets you find websites that link to your competitors but not to you. You can reach out to those sites to request a backlink.

Another great tool is WebFX’s SEO Checker, which analyzes your link profile and gives you a score based on the quantity and quality of your backlinks. Use this as a starting point to track your progress over time.

3. Create useful content for your local audience

Providing valuable content is a natural way to earn backlinks. Think about topics your local audience would find helpful or interesting.

For example, if you own an interior design firm in Los Angeles and people often ask about building treehouses, you could write a blog post titled “Things to Consider Before Building a Treehouse.” This kind of content adds value and could earn links from local bloggers, websites, or even news outlets.

The key? Focus on helping your audience, not just selling to them.

Also Read: What are Some Successful Local SEO Case Studies?

4. Reach out to local websites

Share your content with relevant local websites, bloggers, and influencers. For instance, if you’re in the entertainment or recreation industry, you can send outreach emails to journalists or influencers who might find your content valuable.

When they share or reference your content, they’re likely to link back to your site. Not sure where to start? We’ve got tips for writing outreach emails that get results!

5. Collaborate with local businesses

Partnering with local businesses is another great way to earn backlinks. Collaborations could include sponsorships, guest blog posts, or even podcast appearances.

For example, if you own a bakery in Omaha, you might team up with a local community college hosting a culinary competition. By sponsoring the event or partnering with the school, you could have your brand featured and earn a link to your website.

These partnerships not only help you build backlinks but also connect you with a broader local audience.

By using these strategies, you’ll not only improve your website’s SEO but also build stronger ties with your local community!

Also Read: How can I Earn Backlinks From Local Blogs?

Pumped up to Start with your Local Link Building efforts?

If you’re ready to take small steps into local link building and want some expert guidance, WebFX has you covered. Our team of over 500 digital marketing pros is here to help you every step of the way!