Local Linking Building: Best Strategies To Consider in 2019
When it comes to the power of link building, there are still some who deny its ability to shape the future of your search engine ranking. The truth about links is that they are used to define your authority on search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and even Bing, so if you are not using local link building, you might find yourself losing out.Â
Almost 84 percent of search engine optimisation (SEO) experts believe that local link building is an essential part of any successful marketing strategy, and link building helps immensely in boosting local search rankings.Â
Now, there is nothing wrong with using “normal†link building tactics to boost your SERP rankings, but when it comes to local searches, such as “coffee shops near me†search engines use a different algorithm to show location-specific results. The best practice to improve local link building is to collect links that are relevant both to your industry and your location.Â
Below are just some of the strategies you can try in 2019.Â
Reveal Competitor Backlinks
Spying on your competitors is not what is being suggested, but there is a tool you can use that will help you to uncover your competitors’ backlinks easily and without doing anything untoward. There are free tools that you can use online, which include SEMRush and Neil Patel’s free backlink tool.Â
By using these free tools, you will be able to gather information about who is linking back to your competitors. This will show you what possible links you can use for your own website. You will be able to find new opportunities to improve your rankings and can even filter links by region, anchor text, domain score and URL. You will know which websites to target for valuable backlinks for your own website.Â
Gear Up For Guest Posting
In 2019, the adage of “content is king†still rings true, and one of the most effective ways to increase your ranking and search visibility is to submit guest posts to local websites. You are likely thinking that guest posting takes a lot of time and effort, but it will pay off in the long-run. However, creating a guest post starts off with finding relevant opportunities.Â
You could spend time searching Google for guest posting websites, but this could take hours. Instead, you can work smarter and use free online tools like domain authority checkers such as those offered by Small SEO Tools. If a domain authority is between 40 and 50, this is considered an average to good score and is a site you should contact about possible guest posts. Once you have contacted the editors of the site, the next step is to settle down and write a stellar guest post with links back to your site!
Make The Most of Unlinked Mentions
In the online world, it is often the case that customers who speak about your products do not bother to link back to your website. This means that there are likely quite a few unlinked mentions that are not making you the profit that they could be.Â
Using Google Alerts is one way to find mentions of your business online, but it does not allow you to convert unlinked mentions into linked ones. There are other tools you can use, including Talkwalker, and Mention. Once you see your brand or company is mentioned, you can find out if it is linked or unlinked, then you can get in touch with the editors of the platform and ask for these to be edited to include a link to your business. This boosts your search visibility and can even help to improve lead generation and conversions.Â
Choose Citation Building
When we think of directories, it is often the good old Yellow Pages phone book that comes to mind. But there are online business directories which can be extremely helpful in improving your local link building strategies. Citations involve listing your business name, address, and phone number on these local directories.Â
Citations can be done on numerous platforms, such as Free Find or even the online Yellow Pages. You will need to be sure that all of your details on these directories are accurate and up-to-date, as this will improve your search engine ranking and will make it easier for consumers to find you. Be sure to include keywords in your citation if possible, to make your entry more visible and to improve search results.Â
Create Awareness About Local Events
In a similar vein as creating guest posts, you could look at writing link-worthy pieces about local events. One example is to write a blog post or an article about local markets in your area. This could be used on a “Blog Page†on your website or shared on your social media platform.Â
Of course, the content would have to be relevant to your industry, such as writing about flea markets as a good starting point for up-and-coming entrepreneurs. All of this content could be placed on this blog page, and people who are interested in local events will find this page and will link to the content from their own sites or platforms. You can also share this content on your social media platforms. This can help with driving traffic to your site and earning local links.Â
Initiate Conversation With Local Influencers
The final step in boosting your local link building strLtegy is to reach out to local influencers and build up these relationships. For example, if you are opening a new restaurant and need to garner some interest from consumers but do not have the budget for a full-scale marketing plan, you could invite a local food blogger for an exclusive menu tasting and ask them to write a post about your food… with a link to your website, of course.Â
You could also attend local events that they are hosting or attending, and speak to these influencers in person about an arrangement that will benefit both of you. Local influencers can be a powerful tool, and when combined with others (and a little marketing know-how) your local link building efforts will improve ten-fold.Â
At NetMechanic, we combine our expertise and industry knowledge in order to improve your online visibility. Why not contact us today to find out how we can help you?
