Guest Blog courtesy of David Robertson of Blue Sky SEO, Keighley

Off-page SEO is about more than just building backlinks – it’s about building relationships that establish your small business as a trusted authority in your industry. Whether you run a local coffee shop, a niche boutique, or an online service, there are many creative ways to boost your visibility and generate high-quality backlinks.

Here are 7 actionable strategies tailored for small businesses to improve your backlink profile.

1. Crowdsource Resource Pages

Small businesses can leverage their communities to create valuable, shareable content.

Imagine you run a café called Winterbean Coffee Co.. After engaging with your customers on social media and local forums, you notice many people struggle to maintain their energy during the workday.

• Action Plan: Create a survey asking your community to share their favourite Smoothie recipes. Compile the results into a resource page, like “Top 10 Smoothie Recipes from Winterbean Coffee Fans,” complete with downloadable resources (like a coffee brewing guide).
• Outreach: Share the resource with contributors and encourage them to link back to your page if they have a business or social media profile.

This approach solves a real problem for your audience, is interesting to read and generates natural backlinks as contributors and readers share it widely.

2. Broken Link Building

Fixing broken links on other websites is a fantastic way to gain backlinks.

Let’s say you own Green Grove Landscaping, a small business offering eco-friendly lawn care services.

• Use tools like Ahrefs’ Broken Link Checker to find gardening blogs with 404 errors.
• If you find a broken link about eco-friendly lawn care tips, recreate the content and pitch it as a replacement to the site owner.

For example, if a popular blog, previously linked to a guide on sustainable lawn care, no longer exists, you could create a “Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly Landscaping” and ask the site owner to replace the broken link with your resource.

3. Partner with Micro-Influencers

Micro-influencers are perfect for small businesses looking to grow their online presence.

Let’s say your business, Petal & Thorn Boutique, sells handcrafted accessories. You can collaborate with niche influencers on Instagram who focus on handmade or eco-conscious fashion.

• Reach out to influencers with 10,000–50,000 followers and offer to send them products in exchange for an honest review or a “how-to” styling video.
• For example, an influencer might create a video titled “Styling Handmade Jewellery from Petal & Thorn Boutique,” which could result in backlinks from their blog or YouTube description.

4. Collaborate with Complementary Businesses

Partnering with other small businesses can expand your reach and earn backlinks.

Imagine your store, Sunny Days Bakery, teams up with a nearby Bloom & Vine Florist to host a joint “Spring Brunch and Bouquet” workshop.

• Each business promotes the event on their website, earning backlinks from registration pages, blog posts, and social media mentions.

Collaborations like this allow you to tap into each other’s audiences and build credibility in your local community.

5. Leverage Localised PR and Community Platforms

Localised PR and regional platforms are powerful tools for small businesses.

Take Rustic Roots Woodworking, a furniture maker specialising in handcrafted pieces.

• Use platforms like Muck Rack to connect with local journalists who cover artisan crafts or small business success stories.
• Participate in events listed on geo-specific platforms like Meetup, where you can showcase your expertise, share knowledge, and earn backlinks from event recaps or news coverage.

6. Showcase Social Proof and User-Generated Content

Social proof builds trust and creates linkable assets for your small business.

For example, if you own Cozy Nook Bed & Breakfast, create a dedicated page on your website featuring guest testimonials, stories, and photos.

• Encourage happy customers to share their experiences on social media, tagging your business. Share their posts on your website to highlight user-generated content (UGC).

A testimonial page like “Happy Guests at Cozy Nook” can become a valuable linkable asset, attracting backlinks from local travel bloggers and review sites.

7. Use Offline Strategies for Online Backlinks

Even offline efforts can drive online buzz and backlinks.

Let’s say your business, Trailblazer Outdoor Gear, sponsors a local charity hike.

• The event earns coverage from local blogs and news outlets, linking back to your site in their event coverage.

Or consider Scribble & Sketch Art Supplies, which runs a guerrilla marketing campaign by setting up pop-up art stations in city parks.

• Visitors are encouraged to share their creations online with a branded hashtag. The buzz from this unique approach can generate backlinks from participants’ blogs, social media profiles, and even local press coverage.

Think Outside the Box

Remember, creativity and authenticity matter. A small business with heart can inspire loyalty and generate the kind of backlinks big brands spend thousands to achieve.

Are you ready to grow your online presence? Start using these strategies today, and watch your small business gain the recognition it deserves!

Let’s Hear from You!
Have questions or want to share your success story? Drop a comment below or connect with us for more tips. If you found this helpful, share it with your network and help other small businesses thrive!

David Robertson
Blue Sky SEO Marketing
07483 835 646
hello@bluseskyseo.co.uk
blueskyseo.co.uk

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