58: How to Get Higher Local Rankings p2

Summary

In this episode, Meredith's husband discusses building local search rankings through off-site SEO, particularly focusing on backlinks and local citations. He emphasizes the importance of acquiring links from local organizations, publications, and community involvement to improve a website's local search visibility. The episode explains how local businesses can enhance their online presence by engaging in activities that generate relevant backlinks, while also providing strategies for managing the process efficiently.

Blog Post: How to Build Local SEO Rankings with Off-Site Strategies

When it comes to improving local SEO, focusing on your Google Business Profile and optimizing your website is essential. However, off-site SEO is equally important in boosting your local search rankings. Off-site SEO, which primarily involves building backlinks and local citations, helps search engines understand your business’s relevance in a particular location. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can strengthen your local presence with off-site strategies.

Understanding Local Backlinks and Citations

Off-site SEO can be broken down into two main categories: local citations and backlinks. Both play a vital role in helping your business appear in local search results, but they differ in how they are acquired and their overall impact.

• Local Citations: These are listings in local and industry directories, such as WhiteSpark, where you enter your business information. They act like modern-day phonebook listings and help Google verify your location. You can either pay a service to create these listings or do it manually. While citations are easier to obtain, their individual SEO value is typically lower.

• Backlinks: Backlinks from other websites to yours are incredibly valuable for SEO, especially when those links are from relevant, local sources. Unlike citations, backlinks are not guaranteed and require more effort to acquire. The more local and relevant the link, the more it will help your SEO.

Tips for Building Local Backlinks

Acquiring backlinks from local sources can significantly improve your visibility in local searches. Here are some actionable strategies Meredith's husband shared to help you get started:

• Local Organizations: Join local business groups like your Chamber of Commerce. Many local organizations offer a webpage where you can list your business, along with a link to your website. However, these memberships can sometimes come with a fee, so weigh the cost against the potential SEO benefits.

• Local Publications: Most neighborhoods or cities have local magazines or newspapers with an online presence. You can often get listed by submitting a business profile or sponsoring an article. If the cost of advertising or sponsorship is high, look for free options, such as submitting a press release or featuring your business in community events.

• Community Engagement: This is one of the most effective ways to build local backlinks. Participate in local events, offer sponsorships, or volunteer your services. For example, a photographer could offer to take photos for a community charity event in exchange for a backlink from the organization’s website. Be sure to confirm the link in advance, as sometimes organizations might forget to include it.

• Scholarships and Internships: Some businesses offer scholarships or internships to students, which can result in backlinks from local universities or educational institutions. These links are highly valuable because educational websites are often seen as authoritative by search engines.

Why These Links Matter

Building backlinks from local sources is essential because they tell Google that your business is part of a specific community. When Google sees multiple links from local websites pointing to your business, it reinforces your relevance to searches performed in that area. Additionally, these backlinks can drive traffic directly to your site from people who are part of your target audience.

Resources

For more information on managing local citations and building links efficiently, check out Meredith's husband's "SEO Roadmap" for step-by-step guidance on the entire SEO process.

Final Thoughts

Improving your local SEO isn’t just about what’s on your website or Google Business Profile. Off-site SEO strategies, such as acquiring local backlinks and building citations, are critical for ensuring your business appears in local search results. By engaging with your community, joining local organizations, and securing relevant links, you can increase your visibility and grow your business's online presence in your target area.