Link Building for Local SEO for Beginners

I’m no tech guru, but I’ve worked in SEO for some time, and trust me, link building is the spicy ingredient that can kick your local business website up a notch.

So get ready, I’m about to unravel the magic behind boosting your local SEO game.

Introduction (Link Building: The Local SEO Superpower)

Alright, let’s set the stage. Link building is the hero when it comes to sprucing up your local SEO game. Now, why does it matter? Well, it’s like this, local SEO is all about making your website a rockstar in the eyes of the locals. You want that primo spot in local search results, right? That’s where link building struts into the scene, turning heads and boosting your website’s street cred. Link building is exactly what SirLinksAlot did, in this study to grab a number 1 spot and an overnight traffic increase of 2000%.

Types of Links Used in Local SEO

External Links:
Alright, let’s talk external links, these are the cool links from other websites pointing fingers at yours. It’s like a virtual endorsement, and in the local SEO game, endorsements matter. But here’s the catch, it’s not about quantity; it’s about quality. You want links from the big dogs, the authoritative websites that scream, “Hey, this local business is the real deal!”

And location matters. If you’re targeting the locals in a specific city, cosy up to websites based in or around that city. It’s like vouching for your hometown hero, the search engines eat it up.

Internal Links:
Now, let’s talk about internal links and the homegrown heroes within your website. These links don’t lead to the neighbor’s house; they navigate your visitors through your virtual crib. Think of it as spreading the love within your walls.

Internal links are your secret sauce. They pass on that SEO mojo, boosting the visibility of specific pages. It’s like creating a smooth path for your visitors, guiding them to take action, maybe make a purchase or join your email party. Plus, search engine crawlers love this organised setup; it’s their GPS to index your website better.

No-Follow vs Do-Follow

Do-Follow

Wrap your head around this link-building jazz, it’s a real game-changer. So, there’s this tag team, “No-Follow” and “Do-Follow,” and understanding their deal is like having the cheat codes for SEO success. The “Do-Follow” link? Well, it’s the rock star of the cyber world, telling search engines, “Hey, follow me, and let that sweet authority flow!” It’s the golden ticket for boosting a website’s street cred.

No-Follow

But hold up, don’t brush off the “No-Follow” links. These links might not scream SEO stardom, but they’ve got their mojo, diversifying your link vibe and pulling in the traffic. It’s all about finding that sweet spot, a harmony between the “No-Follow” and “Do-Follow” links, and creating a link profile that sings with variety and plays nicely with the search engine rules.

Steps to Take to Create an Effective Local Link-Building Strategy

Identifying Target Audience:
Let’s kick off our local link-building journey with a little soul-searching. Who are your potential customers, and what tickles their curiosity? Dig deep, ask questions, and paint a picture of your dream audience. Are they into blog posts, podcasts, videos, or eye-catching images? Get the scoop, and you’re on your way to crafting content that speaks their language.

Researching Competitors:
Check out what your competitors are up to in the link-building arena. What’s working for them, and where can you outshine them? Maybe they’ve cracked the code with specific websites or content topics. Learn from the pros and put your spin on it. It’s like borrowing a cup of sugar but adding your secret ingredient. One tool I really dig for this sort of thing is the SpyFu marketing revenue engine. They roll out the web scraping wizardry to give you a sneak peek under the hood and figure out what’s firing on all cylinders.

Creating Quality Content:
Here’s where the magic happens, create content that’s not just good; it’s drop-dead fabulous. Quality is the name of the game, especially in the local link-building circus. Make it relatable to your local audience; toss in local landmarks, shout out to local businesses, and sprinkle local events. You want your content to scream, “I’m one of you!”

Leveraging Existing Relationships:
Time to call in those favors. If you’ve got buddies in the local business scene, influencers, or organisations, it’s showtime. Offer to link to their websites, and don’t be shy to ask for the same favor. It’s like a local link-building potluck, everyone brings something to the table, and the community feast begins.

Utilising Local Directories and Business Listings:
Let’s talk about local citations, dropping your business name, address, and phone number like breadcrumbs across the web. These mentions on external websites, from directories to review sites, are your golden tickets. The more websites that shout your business info, the more authoritative you become. It’s like building a local reputation, one mention at a time.

10 Tips for Building Links for Local SEO

Create Unique Content: Be the trendsetter, not the follower. Craft content that turns heads and attracts natural links.

Build Your Network: Heard the saying “It’s not just about what you know; it’s about who you know”? Well, in our case its networking with local business owners, bloggers, and influencers.

Participate in Local Events: Be where the action is. Attend local events, conferences, and trade shows. Visibility is key.

Create Local Directories: Be the mayor of your online town. Build local directories for your city, and let the links flow.

Leverage Local Media: Get cosy with the local media. Reach out, share your story, and ask to be in the spotlight.

Write Local Guest Posts: Knock on the virtual doors of local blogs. Offer to write a guest post, it’s like leaving your calling card with a link.

Publish Local Press Releases: Make some noise. Write and distribute press releases about your business. It’s link-building with a touch of drama.

Use Social Media: Be the social butterfly. Share your website content on social media, and sprinkle in those links.

Exchange Links: Buddy up with fellow local businesses. Exchange links, and watch the link-building lovefest unfold.

Get Reviews: Don’t be shy, ask customers for reviews on local review sites. Reviews with links? Now, that’s the jackpot.

Conclusion

Alright, we’ve covered the ABCs of local link building for SEO. Why does it matter? It’s about trust, rankings, and drumroll, please, more local customers confidently strolling through your virtual doors.

Invest the time, pour in the effort, and watch those local SEO stars align. Link building isn’t just a strategy; it’s the secret sauce for a flourishing local business website. So, gear up, rock those links, and let the local SEO party begin!