Think about the last website you visited. How did you get there?
If it isn’t your browser’s homepage, then you probably got there by clicking a link.
Have you ever wondered how many links you click on per day?
Now, imagine you are a large business. Your name and brand are posted everywhere. Other websites will refer to you in their own articles. Friends will send each other links on a messenger program that will hook them up directly to your site.
Links spread like wildfire, and they are incredibly powerful.
Link building is the lifeblood of your small business. And when you are just starting out, nothing is more valuable than getting your link shared around on other businesses’ pages. Want to increase traffic and revenue? This is the most sure-fire way to do it.
By focusing on local link building, you will show up in search engine results and your ranking will grow higher and higher. Soon, you’ll be the talk of the town!
Understand What Link Building Is
Link building is really a simple concept to understand. It includes anything under the sun that you might do to encourage other local businesses or influencers to link back to your website on their own.
When more relevant and reputable businesses start linking to your site, Google will see this as a huge sign that you aren’t just nobody. You are somebody, and you deserve to show up first on search page results. This will make you more relevant in the public eye, and especially in your local community. Google watches everything you do, so be sure to spread word about your business constantly!
Develop B2B Relationships
Any business in the world needs to have good rapport with other businesses in order to stay afloat in this competitive world. Even in your local area, where you may or may not have a lot of competition, it’s important to establish a good relationship with the other companies around you, as you can mutually benefit from each other.
As soon as you’ve got an in with another company, you can start feeling out whether they would be willing to link back to your website from their own. Maybe you’ve just met a small business CEO in a local coffee shop, and you’ve pitched your business mission statement to them. They love what you stand for, and they can even use some of your services for their own company. Now, they might be compelled to write a blog article or a Facebook post about you, and they’ll directly link to your website.
This is how powerful online networks are born.
Slowly, the web will start building.
Someone who follows that local CEO online will see that they linked to your site, and they will click on it. If they like what they see, they may share it on their own website, and with their friends. You never know whose eyes your link will land upon. And the more your links spread, the more exciting it can be for prospective success of your site.
Share Discounts, Deals, and Coupons!
People love discounts and deals. Make your local connections feel like they have a special place in your heart (which they should!) by offering them a discount or a deal that can mutually benefit you both.
For example, if you are in the food service industry, you can offer your neighboring businesses a huge discount on food services for them and their customers. Not only are they enjoying a reduced price, but it will spread word about your friendliness and excellent service.
Suddenly, you’ll see links pop up on local websites!
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask!
When in doubt, reach out! Developing a rapport with your local communities through discounts and free items can work wonders. But that’s not the only way to get backlinks.
You can also reach out to businesses and influential names in your area to see if they would be open to working with your brand. They may find your page interesting, or they might promise to feature it in a blog post about new businesses.
While some types of backlinking are more powerful than others, you should still value each and every backlink that pops up online.
Soon, you’ll have developed a powerful network that increases your growth and gets the word out about your company.