When you run a local business, one of the most important things you want is for people in your city or area to find you online. That is where local SEO comes in.
Now you may ask, what helps local SEO?
There are many things. But one very powerful part is backlinks. And not just any backlinks—what you really need are the best backlinks for local SEO. These are links that come from other websites in your area or from sources that Google trusts for location-based searches.
Let us start with the basics first.
What Are Backlinks?
Backlinks are just links from other websites that point to your website.
Let us say there is a food blogger who wrote about your pizza place and added a link to your website. That is a backlink.
It is like someone on the internet saying, “Hey, check this business out.”
Why Backlinks Are Important for Local SEO
Backlinks help in many ways:
- Google trusts your website more when others talk about you
- You rank better in local search results for things like “pizza near me”
- You get real visitors from the links, not just search engines
- You build reputation in your local community
- You beat your competitors who do not have these backlinks
Google looks at backlinks like “votes.” But not just the number—quality matters more than quantity.
What Makes a Good Local Backlink?
Before we jump into where to get them, let us understand what makes a backlink “good.”
- Comes from a real website, not spam
- Is related to your location or industry
- Is do-follow (means it passes SEO value)
- Is placed naturally, not forced
- Is not paid or fake
Backlinks from local websites or websites that are trusted by your audience are the best for local SEO.
Best Backlinks for Local SEO
Let us now look at the best types of backlinks you should aim for.
1. Google Business Profile (and Similar Listings)
Start with the most basic but powerful one—Google Business Profile (earlier known as Google My Business).
You must create a complete listing here. It gives you a direct backlink and helps you show up on Google Maps and local packs.
Also list your business on:
- Bing Places
- Apple Maps
- Yelp
- Justdial
- Sulekha
- IndiaMart
- Hotfrog
- Yellow Pages
Each of these gives you a backlink and helps people find your business.
2. Local Business Directories
These are websites where businesses list themselves based on city, industry, or category.
Make sure your Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) is the same everywhere.
Some examples:
- NearMeTrade
- Indiamart
- Local search websites for your city (like PuneCityOnline or AhmedabadOnline)
3. Local Newspapers and News Blogs
If your business gets mentioned in a local news article, that is gold. These sites have strong trust and local relevance.
How to get featured:
- Host a small event and invite reporters
- Share your business story or success
- Send a press release when something new happens
- Offer comments on local issues if you are an expert
Even a small mention can bring a good backlink.
4. Local Bloggers and Content Creators
Many cities have bloggers who write about food, fashion, travel, fitness, or events.
They often have loyal readers and a good online presence.
Reach out to them:
- Offer them a free service to try and review
- Invite them to your store or event
- Ask if you can guest post on their blog
Make it natural and friendly. Most of them are happy to collaborate with local businesses.
5. Local Sponsorships and Events
Sponsor a sports event, a school competition, a cultural fest, or even a clean-up drive.
Your name and link usually go on their website or digital flyer.
Example:
“Thanks to our sponsors: *Happy Bakes, www.happybakes.com*”
This kind of backlink is super relevant and builds community goodwill.
6. Local Schools and Colleges
Educational websites often have strong authority. You can offer:
- Internship opportunities
- Talks or seminars
- Project sponsorship
In return, ask them to add your business name and website link on their event or placement page.
.edu backlinks are very strong.
7. Local Business Groups and Associations
Join groups like:
- Chamber of Commerce
- BNI (Business Network International)
- Trade Associations
- Local WhatsApp business groups with websites
These places usually list all members with links. It adds trust and helps networking.
8. Niche-Specific Directories
Some examples:
- LawRato for lawyers
- Practo for doctors
- UrbanClap or Justdial for home services
- Zomato for restaurants
These sites rank well and get lots of traffic. Plus, you get a backlink and leads.
9. Collaborations with Other Local Businesses
This is one of the most natural ways to get backlinks.
If you are a cake shop, tie up with a gift shop.
If you run a dance class, collaborate with a costume store.
You both can mention each other on your websites and social media.
10. Testimonials and Case Studies
Give testimonials to your suppliers or tools you use. They often add your words on their website with a link.
Example:
“We love using XYZ CRM. It helps us stay organized at Dream Events – www.dreamevents.com”
This is a clever way to earn backlinks while being honest.
11. Guest Posting on Local Sites
Find websites that talk about your city or topic. Offer to write a simple blog post.
Make it helpful, not salesy. In return, ask them to link to your website in the author bio or inside the content.
12. Create Linkable Local Content
If you make something useful, others will link to it.
Ideas:
- List of best places in your area
- Local guides (like “How to plan a wedding in New York”)
- Local tips (like “Rainy season car care tips in Las Vegas”)
People love sharing helpful local content.
Real Examples of Local Backlinks
- A yoga instructor in Austin, Texas wrote a guest article for a popular local wellness blog. The blog linked back to her website, which brought her over 100 new visitors and improved her search visibility with a do-follow backlink.
- A bakery in Chicago, Illinois was featured in a local news outlet after winning a neighborhood baking contest. The article included a link to their homepage, helping them rank higher in local search results.
- A home cleaning service in San Diego, California partnered with a local college and offered students special discount coupons. The college’s official blog linked to the cleaning service’s offer page, giving them valuable local exposure.
Mistakes to Avoid
Building backlinks is important, but doing it wrong can hurt your site. Here are some common mistakes you should stay away from:
- Buying backlinks from spammy websites
These links are risky and can lead to penalties. - Using fake or low-quality directory sites
Search engines do not trust these, and they offer no real value. - Forcing backlinks into unrelated content
Always place links where they make sense. Relevance matters. - Neglecting your own website
A slow or messy site will not benefit from even the best backlinks. - Building too many backlinks too fast
Earning 100s of links in a short time looks unnatural and suspicious.
How to Track Your Backlinks
Tracking your backlinks helps you understand what is working and where your site is getting attention. Here is a simple way to do it:
Use These Tools:
- Google Search Console – Find websites that are linking to you for free.
- Ubersuggest – See new backlinks and referring domains easily.
- SEO Review Tools – Great for quick checks without logging in.
- Ahrefs or Semrush – Paid tools with deep backlink insights and full reports.
What to Check:
- Is the link live? Make sure the page is still up and linking to you.
- Is it do-follow? Do-follow links pass SEO value.
- Is it relevant? Links from related websites or local sources matter more.
Keep an eye on your links regularly to stay on top of your SEO game.
Bonus Tips to Get More Local Backlinks
Here are some quick and smart ways to earn local backlinks:
- Offer Discounts to Bloggers
Reach out to local bloggers and give them a discount in exchange for a review or mention. - Write for Local Publications
Contribute a guest column or article to a local magazine, newsletter, or news website. - Be Active in Facebook Groups
Join local or niche Facebook groups. Share your blog posts naturally—avoid spamming. - Leverage Happy Customers
Ask satisfied customers if they can write about your service on their blogs or forums. - Support Journalists via HARO
Use HARO to help journalists with quotes or info. In return, you may get a backlink from local news sites.
FAQs
Q: Do I need 1000 backlinks to rank well locally?
No. Even 10 to 20 good backlinks can help a lot in a small city. Quality wins over quantity.
Q: How long does it take to see results?
It depends. Some links show impact in 2-3 weeks. Others take 2-3 months.
Q: Should I care about no-follow links?
Yes. While they do not pass full SEO power, they bring traffic and build trust.
Q: What if a site removes my link?
It happens. Keep building new links and update your strategy.
Q: Can I use the same anchor text every time?
No. Mix it up. Use brand name, city name, keywords, and natural phrases.
Final Thoughts
Getting backlinks for local SEO does not have to be hard. You do not need to be a tech expert. You just need to be smart, helpful, and a little creative.
Start with:
- Local listings
- Community connections
- Local partnerships
- Creating content that others want to link to
Keep it natural. Keep it local. And keep it real.
In a few months, you will start seeing your business move up the rankings—and more people walking into your store or booking your service.
