Links are an essential part of SEO and local SEO. Local businesses should invest in local link building strategies because it can help improve their website’s ranking on search engines and increase traffic. This article will discuss what links are, the different types of links, why local backlinks are essential, and how to build local backlinks. We will also provide ten ways to make local backlinks.
What Are Links?
Links are a way for websites to connect and share information. When you click on a link, you are taken to another website.
Types Of Links
There are two types of links:
- Internal Links: These links take you from one page on a website to another page on the same website. For example, if you click on the About Us page on a website, you will be taken to the About Us page.
- External Links: These links go from one website to another. For example, if you click on a link to an article on Wikipedia, you will be taken to the Wikipedia article.
What Are Backlinks?
A backlink is when another website links to your website. Backlinks are vital because they show that other websites consider your website necessary and trustworthy. The more backlinks you have, the higher your website will rank on search engines.
What Are Local Backlinks?
Local backlinks are important because they help improve your website’s ranking on local search engines. Local backlinks come from websites that are local to your business. For example, if you have a local business in Los Angeles, a local backlink would be a link from a website in Los Angeles.
Is Local SEO Link Building Still Effective?
The answer is “YES.” Link building for local seo is still effective and can help improve your website’s ranking on Google. However, it is essential to note that it takes time and effort. You must create high-quality content and promote it on local websites and directories. If you’re unwilling to do the work, local link building may not be for you.
Why Are Local Backlinks Important?
Local backlinks are important because they help improve your website’s ranking on local search engines. They tell the search engine that your website is relevant to the local area.
Importance Of Local Link Building:
- They can help improve your website’s ranking on local search engines.
- They help improve your website’s credibility.
- Generates more traffic from local customers.
- Help you rank higher in local search results.
- Help you reach new local customers.
- Help you build relationships with local businesses.
- Local backlinks can help you get more reviews and testimonials.
- It improves your website’s SEO.
How Many Local Backlinks Do You Need?
The Answer to this question is not straightforward because it varies depending on the competition in your local area. If you have many local competitors, you will need more local backlinks than if you have few local competitors.
However, it must be noted that quality trumps quantity regarding local backlinks. Having ten high-quality local backlinks is better than one hundred low-quality ones. However, aiming for at least 50 local backlinks is a good rule. But the more local backlinks, the better.
Google Updates Regarding Local Link Building
Google Local algorithm update was launched in December 2017. The local pack, the map listing at the top of local search results, was increased from three to seven business listings. This update makes it even more critical for local businesses to have local backlinks because it increases the chances of appearing in the local pack.
Google’s local algorithm updates have been focused on giving preference to websites with more local backlinks. In other words, to improve your website’s ranking on local search engines, you must focus on building local backlinks.
Eleven Ways To Build Local Backlinks
- Get Listed In Local Directories
You can list your business in several local directories, such as Google My Business, Yelp, and Angie’s List. Google highly regards these directories and will help improve your website’s ranking. Some are free, and some require payment.
- Submit Your Website To Local News Outlets
Google considers local news outlets to be highly authoritative. If you have newsworthy content on your website, you can submit it to local news outlets, such as the local newspaper or TV station. This will help improve your website’s ranking on Google and increase traffic.
How to submit content for local news outlets?
- First, you must find local news outlets covering your area.
- Then, you need to determine whether they accept business or individual submissions.
- If they do, then you can submit your website content to them.
- Create A Blog Post About A Local Event
The best way to reach the audience is to write blog posts about local events. This will provide the information that local people are searching for, helping improve your website’s ranking on Google and increasing traffic.
- Create A Google My Business Listing
Google My Business is a free service that allows businesses to manage their online presence on Google. Creating a listing on Google My Business is simple and only takes a few minutes.
How do you create a listing on Google My Business?
- Go to google.com/business
- Click “Start now.”
- Enter your business name
- Enter your business address
- Enter your business phone number
- Click “Finish” – Once you create your listing, be sure to verify your listing by Google.
- Get local reviews
Google considers local reviews when determining a website’s ranking. So, it’s essential to get local reviews from your customers.
- Build Relationships With Local Businesses
Backlink building is all about relationships, so building relationships with local businesses is essential. You can do this by exchanging links with them, collaborating on regional projects, or writing blog posts about them.
- Create Local Landing Pages
A local landing page is a page on your website specifically designed for a local audience. Local landing pages help improve your website’s ranking on Google and increase your website’s traffic.
How do you create a local landing page?
- First, you need to identify your target audience.
- Then, it would help to research the keywords they are searching for. Once you have identified the keywords, you need to create optimized content.
- Finally, you need to make sure your local landing page is mobile-friendly.
- Create Local Infographics
People love infographics because they are easy to consume and share. So, creating local infographics is a great way to get local backlinks. To make an infographic, you must first identify the data you want to visualize. Then, you need to design the infographic, and finally, you need to promote the infographic.
How do you promote your local infographic?
- First, you must find local bloggers and influencers interested in your infographic.
- Then, you need to reach out to them and ask them to share your infographic.
You can share the infographic on social media or submit it to local directories and websites.
- Participate In Local Events
Another great way to get local backlinks is to participate in local events. This can be anything from a local business expo to a community festival. You can network with other businesses by participating in local events and getting your business name out there.
How to find local events?
- First, you must identify the type of event you want to participate in.
- It would help if you searched for local events that match your criteria.
- Finally, you need to contact the event organizer and ask if you can participate.
- Claim Unlinked Mentions
If you have been mentioned online but have no link to your website, you can claim the mention and ask for a link. This is a great way to get local backlinks because it shows that you are an authority in your industry.
How do you find unlinked mentions?
- First, you must set up Google Alerts for your business name, keywords, and competitors.
- Then, you need to go through the alerts and look for any mentions that don’t have a link to your website.
- Finally, you need to contact the site owner and ask them to add a link to your website.
- Get Local Citations
A local citation mentions your business name, address, and phone number on another website. Citations help improve your website’s ranking on Google and make it easier for people to find your business.
How do you get local citations?
- First, you must identify what would help if you create drives in your industry.
- Then, creating a profile on each directory would be best and include all your business information.
- Finally, you need to verify your listings by Google.
What’s the difference between Backlinks and Citations?
A local citation mentions your business name, address, and phone number on another website. A backlink is a link from one website to yours. Citations help improve your website’s ranking on Google and make it easier for people to find your business. Backlinks help improve your website’s ranking on Google and increase your website’s traffic
- Giveaways & Contests
- People love free stuff! So, hosting a giveaway or contest is a great way to get local backlinks. You must identify the prize you want to give away to do this.
- Then, you need to promote the giveaway or contest on your website and social media channels.
- Finally, you need to contact local bloggers and influencers and ask them to promote your giveaway or contest.
There are several ways you can get local link building. It entirely depends on the way you want to get local links. You can use any of the methods that we’ve mentioned above. If you need help with local link building, contact an SEO Expert. They will be able to help you to improve your website’s ranking on Google.
Local Link Building Tips
Local link building is crucial for small businesses to enhance their online presence and attract customers from their immediate vicinity. Here are some tips to boost local link building:
- Optimize Local Listings: Ensure your business is listed accurately on local directories like Google My Business, Yelp, and Yellow Pages.
- Leverage Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses, organizations, and charities for mutually beneficial link exchanges or partnerships.
- Create Local Content: Develop content relevant to your local audience, such as event coverage, local news, or guides to local attractions.
- Engage with Local Influencers: Contact local bloggers, influencers, and community leaders for collaborations or guest posting opportunities.
- Sponsor Local Events: Support local events or sponsorships and request acknowledgment on event websites or social media platforms.
- Get Featured in Local Media: Pitch stories or press releases to local newspapers, magazines, and online publications for potential coverage and backlinks.
- Join Local Business Associations: Participate in local business associations or chambers of commerce to network and gain link-building opportunities.
- Encourage Customer Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or Facebook, which can indirectly improve local SEO and attract links.
By implementing these strategies, businesses can strengthen their local link profile and increase visibility within their community.
FAQs
Q1. What Is Local Link Building?
Ans. Local link building is getting links from local websites to your website. This helps improve your website’s ranking on Google.
Q2. How Much Does Local Link Building Cost?
Ans. Local link-building costs vary depending on your chosen method. If you decide to do it yourself, it will cost you time but no money. However, hiring an SEO expert will cost you money and save you time.
Q3. How Long Does Local Link Building Take?
Ans. Local link building can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on your chosen method and the number of local links you want.
Conclusion
The above guide might have helped you understand local link building and its importance. Local link building is a great way to improve your website’s ranking on Google. Additionally, it will increase your website’s traffic and help you build relationships with other local businesses.
Contact an SEO expert like us if you need help with local link building. We can help you improve your website’s ranking on Google.
Feel free to comment with questions about local link building or backlink building. We will be happy to answer them. Thanks for reading! We hope this article was helpful.
