Link building for local businesses

There is a lot to know about link building — more than most business owners really need to better their business. Simply put, the internet is a series of pages linking to other pages. Websites link to pages on other websites to take users where they need to go. Search engines like Google use links pointing to pages as indicators of the value of that page. The more links pointing to a particular page, the more search engines like Google will favor that page in search results.

Link building is one of the most effective strategies for improving your SEO

Google often stresses the importance of link building and quality content as a core component of getting found online. In fact, link building may be the most important factor when it comes to ranking high on search engines.

Part of the reason link building is so effective in boosting your SEO is because it’s a difficult goal to achieve. Link building can seem like a job in its own right, but without a strategy to produce relevant content to consumers in your area, you risk becoming invisible to potential customers. Take this challenge as an opportunity to beat out your competition. Odds are your competitors aren’t willing to put in the work it takes to get to the top. With a good strategy and a little persistence you can put your business ahead of the game.

The Lower You’re Ranking, the Bigger the Benefits

Backlinks improve organic ranking in search engines. Moz says:

Generally speaking, the more high-quality websites that link to you, the more likely you are to rank well in search results.

It’s all about social proof. Visitors are more likely to stay on your site when they’re referred from an external site that they trust. Consequently, if your site is on the lower end of the search page, a link from a high-ranking site will spike your search results. Having a few good solid links from high-ranking sites will take you far.

Strategy is everything

You won’t get very far by sending out emails en masse requesting links from your potential affiliates. Instead, focus on these three steps:

Step 1: Care about your content. Have something to share that you yourself would want to share. Link back to specific pages that will provide your visitor with relevant information.

Step 2: Reach out. Focus on establishing relationships. Get people you know or work with to link to your site. If you’re aspiring to get a link from someone outside your circle emails tend not to work very well. The best way to do this is in person — reach out to your local resources, such as your church, school, or industry affiliate.

Step 3: Don’t be afraid to ask. The best case scenario is asking a friend or acquaintance within the association you’re aiming to link out from.

Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to Link Building and Backlinko’s Link Building for SEO: The Definitive Guide are both great places to start learning more about how link building can improve your SEO and credibility online.