Earning backlinks to your website is arguably the most important factor of local SEO. So, how do you go about getting them? Here are some simple options.
What are backlinks?
Backlinks are whenever another website, blog, whatever - posts a link back to your website. The more traffic the posting site gets, the better. You want your backlinks to come from sites that are as authoritative as possible.
The easy backlinks can get you started. These are listing websites like Manta, Google My Business, etc. From there, things can get tricky.
Here are a few simple options to get you started.
1. Chamber and/or City Organizations
If you're a chamber member, you're going to get a link on your local chamber website. The same goes for being a part of any city or county organizations, such as Downtown South Bend or YPN. Another example would be our relocation website, Moving To South Bend.
2. Guest Blogging
This is a big one. Really, any blog will do. But if you can land some guest blogs on sites that get a ton of traffic, that would be ideal. You never know unless you ask, so ask!
3. Link w/ Business Partners
This is an easy one if you are a client of ours. We link most, if not all, of our clients at one point or another on our website. If you partner with any other businesses, on anything really, ask if they would consider creating a link for you on their website.
4. Sponsor, Sponsor, Sponsor!
When you sponsor something, an event for instance, they are almost always going to list their sponsors on their website and on social media. This a link for you!
5. Media Coverage
Do something that will get you media coverage, just make sure it's legal. (Wink, wink). But seriously, do some good or run a special promotion. The local paper and news stations post everything on their websites and will most likely link back to your website in their story. You can always ask them to please make sure they include a link as well.
6. Blog
You don't even have to blog very often. But the more you blog, the more of a chance you have that people like the blog and decide to share it on their website, their blog, social media, etc.
If you have any questions, feel free to get a hold of us!