When it comes to small businesses, most owners face Local SEO challenges unique to them. You might find some solutions listed, but for many others, you may not, especially when your business supports local communities’ products and services. While many are looking for a quick ladder to climb, optimising Local SEO correctly, right from the start, is a key factor that makes or breaks small ventures. Local SEO focuses on creating visibility for the “near me” searches and setting your lead generation plan in stone. And though optimising popular search engines for local visibility can be a tricky trade, it’s nothing you can’t achieve with a few good tips.

Here’s a solid Local SEO strategy that will assist you in working around small businesses’ unique challenges:

Let’s do a memory refresh first – what exactly are backlinks?

Backlinks are nothing but hyperlinks located on external sites that take users to the content of your site.
Now, why are backlinks important?

Backlinks are one of the topmost ranking factors in Search Engine Optimization. When platforms like Google evaluate a website, they analyze your backlinks as they give them a vote of confidence. This, in turn, helps rank your site higher. You can check this video to learn more about backlinks.

In this article, we are going to share with you a few valuable tips for building super links.

Do a competitive link audit

First things first – you need to know who your competitor is and what makes them that. There are a number of tools available to run a competitive analysis of backlinks such as OBENAN backlink checker.
For a holistic analysis, it is better to use more than one link-analysis tool. Ensure that they are ethical and adhere to Google’s terms and conditions. These tools crawl competitors’ websites and discover valuable backlink opportunities. You can use them to your advantage.

Look for domains and links with branded content and shared links among the competitors.

Once you have zeroed in on good links, you are ready to start link building. Here are a few tips to guide you in the right direction:

• Get links from authentic websites
• Win links from the sources that your competitors use
• Get localized citations
• Claim unlinked brand mentions

Create link-worthy content

Nothing comes free in this world, and in this case, you need to have some good content to share yourself in order to get featured on other’s websites. So, how do you create link-winning content every single time?

The biggest tip would be to share links that are in tandem with your content. Think of developing fresh, truly informative, and long-form content that others would want to link to. This can include videos, case studies, infographics, and guest blogs.

Images, photographs, and graphics offer not just a visual relief but also add sales value to your website. A well-thought-out graphic is a versatile tool that combines the impact of verbal communication and the draw of visual communication.

By creating diverse and engaging content, you are putting yourself on the radar of another creator who would be motivated to read it and share it.

Reach out to link providers

One of the best strategies to get new links would be reaching out to organizations and people who can provide you with links. Keep in mind that it is those links that are relevant to your niche that will give you an SEO ranking boost.
You can also write a comment or two on content that is important to your business. This is not just an easy way to get a blogger’s attention but is also great for building long-term business relationships. You will be noticed, and this can lead to worthwhile links down the road.

If you are into creating blogs, send them to blog directories. They will only be happy to give you a link. Any mention of your name, address, and even the phone number in online business directories can help you in your search engine ranking.

Create contacts in industry bodies like the chamber of commerce. Participate in their events and awards and recognition ceremonies. If you happen to get nominations for one of those awards, use them for your link-building advantage. Otherwise too, these organizations are guaranteed link providers, if you can make the right contacts.

Last but not least, never ever shy away from contributing to crowdsourced post invites. Take out time to answer their queries, and while doing so, be detail-oriented.

Social media outreach

Building mutually-beneficial relationships take time. You cannot expect to receive a link from somebody by just asking for it.

Social media is the tool with which we can establish, nurture, and sustain such relationships. These platforms help you to introduce yourself to meaningful conversations and get involved by listening, sharing things that are useful, and responding to people’s queries. Here’re a few steps to follow:

• Set up accounts on all social media platforms and observe. The first and foremost thing that you must do is to listen to what others are talking about on social media. Follow all important people – be it your competitors, customers, or influencers. Be up to date with all the talking points.
• Our goal is to influence writers and website owners. You need to start with natural interactions and engage in an honest manner. Remember, you can earn quality links only from contacts who trust you.

Conclusion

Link building is all about fostering relationships with resources and web owners who possess mutually-beneficial and high-quality content. Everybody needs a little help, and that is the very basis of the link-building exercise. If you get this right, everything will fall in place, eventually.