Local Backlinks: Why They Matter and How to Get Them
Want Higher Google Rankings Without Paying for Ads?
There’s a high-impact, often-overlooked SEO technique that drives long-term results—local backlinks.
If you want your business to show up higher in local search, you need other trusted, local websites linking to yours. That’s where local backlinks come in.
They help:
- Increase your Google rankings
- Boost your domain authority
- Drive referral traffic
- Build credibility in your community
And the best part?
You don’t need a massive budget or a national brand to get them.
What Are Backlinks?
A backlink is when another website includes a clickable link that points to your website.
Example:
If the Grove City Chamber of Commerce lists your business on their directory and links to your site—that’s a backlink.
Google uses backlinks as a trust signal. If other credible websites are linking to yours, Google assumes your business is reliable and authoritative.
More relevant backlinks = better local SEO rankings.
Why Local Backlinks Matter for Small Businesses
Most local business owners focus on:
- Keywords
- Blog content
- Google Business Profiles
- Online reviews
And while those are crucial, backlinks are the glue that holds your authority together.
Especially when those links come from local sources like:
- Chambers of commerce
- Local newspapers and media outlets
- Local blogs and business directories
- Vendors, partners, and community organizations
Google sees these as hyper-relevant—a big deal for local SEO.
Benefits of Local Backlinks for SEO
✅ 1. They Build Local Authority
If other local organizations link to you, Google sees you as more trustworthy in your region.
✅ 2. They Help You Rank Higher
Sites with more quality backlinks consistently rank higher in organic and map results.
✅ 3. They Drive Targeted Traffic
A link from a local partner or media article can send highly engaged users straight to your site.
✅ 4. They Help Google Understand Your Business
Backlinks provide context—Google understands what your business is about and how it fits into your local ecosystem.
Types of Local Backlinks That Work
Not all backlinks are created equal. Focus on links from:
🏛️ Local Directories
- Chamber of Commerce
- Local tourism boards
- B2B directories
- Industry-specific directories (like MSPAlliance, Vagaro, StyleSeat)
📰 Local News Outlets
- Community newspapers
- Online event calendars
- Local magazines
- Press releases
🤝 Business Partners
- Vendors, service partners, or suppliers
- Joint ventures
- Affiliates or sister companies
🎓 Schools and Universities
- Alumni spotlights
- Event sponsorships
- Community partnerships
🎗️ Nonprofits and Events
- Sponsorship mentions
- Volunteer partnerships
- Donation pages
- Local fundraisers or festivals
🧰 Industry Blogs and Guest Posts
- Write about your expertise
- Offer value to their readers
- Include a link back to your site
How to Earn Local Backlinks (Without Paying for Them)
Here’s how to start building a backlink profile that helps your local rankings soar:
1. Get Listed in Local Business Directories
Start with:
- Your Chamber of Commerce
- Local business groups (Rotary, BNI, etc.)
- Nearby economic development websites
- Local “shop local” directories
- Niche directories for your industry
Make sure each listing links to your homepage and uses consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) info.
2. Reach Out to Local Blogs or Influencers
Offer to:
- Provide expert tips for their readers
- Do an interview or Q&A
- Share your business story
Example:
A salon could pitch, “5 Winter Hair Trends in Grove City” to a local lifestyle blog.
An MSP might offer “Top Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses in Butler County” to a business blog.
3. Issue Local Press Releases
Launching a new service? Expanding? Hosting an event?
Send a press release to:
- Local newspapers
- Online news platforms
- Community websites
- Radio station sites
Make sure your business website is linked in the article.
4. Sponsor or Partner with Local Organizations
Sponsor a youth sports team? Donate to a nonprofit? Support a local school?
Ask them to:
- List you as a sponsor on their site
- Link to your business under “Supporters” or “Partners”
- Mention you in a thank-you blog or update
5. Collaborate with Other Businesses
Offer to:
- Write a guest post on their blog
- Swap mentions in newsletters
- Create a co-branded event or offer
Cross-promotion builds visibility and authority for both parties.
Backlink Pitfalls to Avoid
❌ Buying backlinks from spammy sites
❌ Using unrelated or foreign websites for backlinks
❌ Linking schemes with low-quality directories
❌ Over-optimizing anchor text with the same keyword
❌ Ignoring link quality in favor of quantity
Google is smart—quality matters more than volume.
Real-World Example: Local Link Building Pays Off
A small cybersecurity firm in Butler County had plateaued in search rankings despite weekly blogs and a polished website.
We performed a backlink audit and found they had very few local citations.
In 60 days, we helped them:
- Join 4 local directories
- Earn 3 backlinks from partners and suppliers
- Get mentioned in 2 local news articles
- Write a guest post for a PA business blog
📈 Result:
- Rankings for “cybersecurity Butler County” moved from page 3 to the top of page 1
- Referral traffic increased by 27%
- Phone leads from their site nearly doubled
Ready to Build Your Local Backlink Strategy?
At NextGEN IT Solutions, we help businesses like yours:
- Audit your existing backlinks
- Find new local backlink opportunities
- Optimize your online presence for trust and authority
- Reach out to partners, media, and directories
- Monitor backlinks for performance and accuracy
📞 724-204-1950
🌐 https://nextgen-itsolutions.com/contact
Local backlinks are your secret SEO weapon. Let’s start building your network—and your rankings—today.
