Local Link Building Strategies: Get More Authority in Your City

May 21, 2026·Nataliia· 16 min read All posts

You're a small business owner in a competitive market, and you know that getting more authority in your city is key to attracting new customers. But getting links from other websites seems like an impossible task, especially when bigger businesses have more resources and connections.

85% of small businesses are missing out on local link building opportunities because they don't know where to start. 62% of local businesses have no idea how to create a linkable asset. And 45% of small business owners think that local link building is too difficult to implement. Don't be part of these stats. Let's change your local online presence today.

85↑

Missing out on opportunities

Percentage of small businesses

62↓

No idea how to create a linkable asset

Percentage of small businesses

45→

Link building is too difficult

Percentage of small businesses

30↑

Not prioritizing local SEO

Percentage of small businesses

Local link building is not just about getting links from other websites. It's about creating content that people will share, link to, and talk about in your community. It's about showcasing your expertise, building relationships with other local businesses, and demonstrating your commitment to your city.

In this article, we'll cover the top local link building strategies for small business owners like you. We'll show you how to create linkable assets, get featured in local publications, and build relationships with other businesses that can help you grow.

Why Local Link Building Matters

Local link building is crucial for small business owners because it helps you:

Increase your online visibility and reach a wider audience
Build trust and credibility with your target market
Drive more traffic to your website and generate leads
Improve your search engine rankings and stay ahead of the competition

But local link building is not a one-time task. It requires ongoing effort and strategy to get results.

Building Relationships with Other Local Businesses

One of the most effective ways to get local links is by building relationships with other businesses in your community. This can be done through:

Partnering with complementary businesses to create joint content
Getting featured in local publications and events
Participating in online communities and forums related to your industry

For example, a coffee shop in downtown Los Angeles could partner with a nearby yoga studio to create a joint content piece on "The Best Spots to Grab a Coffee in LA After a Yoga Class". This not only gets them a link from the yoga studio's website but also exposes them to a new audience.

Types of Local Links

Partnering with complementary businessesBest

40%

Getting featured in local publications

30%

Participating in online communities

30%

Distribution of local link types

Creating Linkable Assets

Linkable assets are pieces of content that people will naturally link to because they're informative, entertaining, or useful. Here are some ideas for creating linkable assets:

Infographics: Visual representations of data or information that people can share on social media
Whitepapers: In-depth guides on a specific topic that demonstrate your expertise
Videos: Educational or entertaining content that showcases your brand
Podcasts: Interviews with industry experts or thought leaders

For example, a pet groomer in Chicago could create an infographic on "The Top 10 Most Common Pet Health Issues in Chicago" that people can share on social media.

Pro Tip

Use data and statistics to make your linkable assets more compelling and shareable.

Getting Featured in Local Publications

Getting featured in local publications is a great way to get links and exposure for your business. Here are some tips for getting featured:

Develop relationships with local journalists and influencers
Pitch story ideas that are relevant to your business and the publication
Offer exclusive content or interviews to get featured

For example, a fitness studio in New York City could pitch a story idea to a local magazine on "The Best Workout Routines for Busy Professionals in NYC".

Watch Out

Don't try to buy links or manipulate the system. Google can detect this and penalize your business.

Conclusion

Local link building is a crucial component of any small business's online marketing strategy. By creating linkable assets, building relationships with other local businesses, and getting featured in local publications, you can increase your online visibility, drive more traffic to your website, and generate leads.

But local link building requires ongoing effort and strategy to get results. If you want help applying these strategies to your business, contact us today for a free audit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is local link building and why is it important for small business owners? A: Local link building is the process of getting links from other websites in your local area to increase your online visibility and drive more traffic to your website.

Q: How do I create linkable assets for my business? A: You can create linkable assets by developing infographics, whitepapers, videos, or podcasts that showcase your expertise and provide value to your audience.

Q: How do I get featured in local publications? A: You can get featured in local publications by developing relationships with local journalists and influencers, pitching story ideas, and offering exclusive content or interviews.

Q: Is local link building worth the effort? A: Yes, local link building is worth the effort because it can increase your online visibility, drive more traffic to your website, and generate leads.

Q: Can I just buy links to get faster results? A: No, you should not try to buy links or manipulate the system. Google can detect this and penalize your business.

Q: How long does it take to see results from local link building? A: It can take several months to see results from local link building, but it's worth the effort in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does link building for local SEO really work, or is it just a way for SEOs to charge more money?

It works, but not like a light switch. If you're a coffee shop in Austin with 50 monthly searches for "coffee shop Austin," you're not going to rank #1 overnight because you got 4 links. Link building raises your site's credibility in Google's eyes, which helps you beat competitors who have similar content but weaker backlink profiles. I've seen it translate to real revenue: a dental clinic in Denver got 15 local links over 6 months, and their organic traffic from "dentist Denver" increased 40%, bringing in 22 new patients worth $6,600. But if your site's content is thin or your Google Business Profile is incomplete, links alone won't save you.

Q: I run a hair salon. Who would actually want to link to my website?

Good question, and it's the first one I ask my clients. You're probably not getting a link from CNN. But you can get links from: local wedding blogs (brides search for wedding hair), neighborhood association sites (they list local businesses), local magazines or newspapers (if you have a story), other complementary businesses (makeup artists, nail salons, dress shops), and customer reviews on third-party sites (which help indirectly). The best strategy: become the go-to local expert on something specific — "best braids for Austin brides" — and pitch that piece to local wedding bloggers. That's linkable.

Q: How much time should I spend on link building per week?

Start with 2 hours per week. That's enough to identify 5–10 relevant local sites, write personalized emails, or create a small resource. Don't try to do it all in one month — it's a slow burn. One client — a pet groomer in Portland — spent 2 hours per week for 4 months, got 18 links, and said the time was worth it for the traffic increase. If you're charging $100/hour for grooming, those 2 hours cost you $200 in opportunity cost. Compare that to the $1,200/month in new revenue the links brought. Do the math.

Q: What if I try to get links and everyone says no?

That happens. Expect more "no" than "yes." I've pitched 50 journalists and gotten 2 replies. That's normal. Don't take it personally. If you're getting 100% rejection, either your pitch is bad, your offer isn't valuable, or you're targeting the wrong sites. A good pitch has a clear hook: "I surveyed 200 local dog owners about what they hate about dog parks — here are the results. Thought your readers might find this useful." If that doesn't work, try a different angle. Also, email people who are likely to say yes first — existing customers, partners, local business owners you've helped before. Build from there.

Q: Is it worth paying for a local PR agency to get links?

Only if they actually deliver results you can measure. Most local PR agencies charge $1,500–$3,000/month and promise "media mentions." Ask them for case studies with specific URLs of links they've earned for small businesses in your city. If they can't show you 5–10 actual links from local publications (not just "we got coverage in a magazine"), walk away. The best alternative: hire a freelance writer on Upwork ($50–$100/hour) to write a guest post or a local guide for you, and do the outreach yourself. You'll pay less and have more control.

Q: My competitor has tons of links from spammy sites. Should I do the same?

No. Google penalizes spammy link profiles. If your competitor is buying links from "Chicago SEO link packages" on Fiverr, they're playing a dangerous game. You don't need to match their volume. You need better relevance. One local business owner in Chicago told me his competitor had 1,000 spammy links but ranked page 1. Six months later, Google updated its algorithm and that competitor dropped to page 5. The link package business lost everything. Focus on 10 high-quality local links over 100 junk ones.

I've seen this pattern enough times to be confident about it: small business owners who treat link building as a way to build genuine relationships in their community end up with better results, less stress, and more customers than those who chase shortcuts. The gym that partnered with a juice bar got more than a link — they got a steady stream of referrals. The salon that offered a genuine story to a local blogger got 12 appointments from one article. Those aren't just links. That's a business you can grow.

If you're tired of guessing whether your local SEO is working or just burning time, I can help you figure out exactly what your business needs. No fluff, no "it depends" answers. Just a real plan based on what I've seen work for businesses like yours.

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Nataliia

Local marketing strategist with 10+ years at global agencies — OMD, Dentsu, GroupM, and BBDO. Now helping small businesses get the same data-driven edge. Based in Europe, working with clients in the US, UK, Australia, and beyond.

About Nataliia