What are Inbound Links?

Inbound links are links mentioned on other sites that point to your site. They are also known as backlinks because they refer “back” to your website. People often confuse the concept with that of outbound links, which is the complete opposite. Outbound links are the ones that are on your website, pointing back to other sites.

Inbound Links and SEO

Inbound links have a very significant impact on SEO. Years back, when this was merely a numbers game, people used spammy link building software, just to get their content ranked, and it worked. But since google algorithms are updated and have gotten smarter, things have been different. Google now values the quality of the backlinks over its quantity, so it’s crucial to get them from authoritative and credible sites.

Generally, backlinks are one of the most crucial factors used by Google to rank websites. This helps local SEO consultant New York to drive more traffic and get increased business or sales. Your site will be established as credible due to your link with such an authoritative site.

With local SEO, things are a little different. You must receive inbound links from businesses and organizations that are influential in your locality. For example, if you have a plumbing business that only operates within your area, referral traffic that comes from residents is much more vital to your business, than let’s say CNN or The Wall Street Journal.

How to Get More Local Backlinks?

One of the most effective strategies is to get inbound links from local businesses. There’s a number of strategies you can use to do that without having to go through much trouble. Hence, it will be much easier for you if you’re connected within the community. This will help you get visibility online, as well as in real life.

Sponsoring Local Businesses or Events

Buying links is a straight-up NO NO. Google will most certainly penalize you for it. But what you can do is sponsor or partner up with businesses in your local community. If you’re already working with a local supplier, how about showing your relationship online, and getting a backlink at the same time? Try to find organizations looking for support (I’m sure that there are many out there).

Sponsor local events like a cricket tournament, a spring festival, or something similar to that. Ask them if they’d be willing to include your link on their platform in return. If you want, you can also sponsor a league team of your local area, and put your logo onto their jerseys to get some real-life visibility. Then inform the locals about it through your local press and let the community know that you care about the local economy and businesses.

Get Listed in your Local Business Directory

If you aren’t already, you are missing out on a great opportunity. Local business directories are designed to get customers connected with the best-suited business for them in town. While you’re at it, look if your area has those niche-specific directories. Some also have separate directories for businesses run by women, or by people of different nationalities. So if you are someone that fits the category, get yourself listed in as many directories as you can because getting visibility within your targeted audience is always important.

Connect with Local Bloggers

It would be great if you already knew bloggers or influencers that had a huge chunk of following from within your locality. If not, try to find them and get connected with the community. Look for someone who has niche-specific content that goes in sync with the context of your business. So, you can ask them if they’d like to feature you or give your business visibility on their platform.

Sponsor Local Charities

It’s always important to support a cause and bring difference within your community. Sponsoring your local charities is a great way to do that and a great way to bring attention to your business too. The donation does not have to be financial. It could be your time or services too.  For instance, fund a charity event, or clean up a local area.  Ask the organizers or managers if they’d be willing to add a link to your website, and I’m sure that they would be happy to do so.

Local Press

According to reports, around 67% of the local people depend on their local paper for their local news. Now that’s quite a big number of your targeted audience, and it would be considered as an SEO jackpot if you get that traffic driven back to your site. Research on the kind of content they cover, and if you fit in, reach out to the local editor and get featured.

Doing everything on your own may seem like a real struggle. This is why you should rely on a professional firm, such as Map-it Inc.