4 min read#local-links#local-seo#small-business

Five Easy Local Links Worth Asking For

Local links come from relationships, not tricks. Here are five places a small business can reasonably ask to be listed, and how to ask politely.

A link from another website to yours works a little like a recommendation. When a real local organization points to you, it tells visitors, and search engines, that you are a real business with real neighbors. You do not need many. You need a few honest ones from places that already know you.

Start with places that already know you

The easiest links come from relationships you already have. Think about who you pay, who you work alongside and who lists local businesses as part of what they do. Ask yourself a simple question: who would be comfortable saying “we know this business”? That short list is where to start, and it avoids the trap of chasing strangers.

Five places worth asking

Your local chamber of commerce or business association. Many keep a member directory. If you belong, check that your listing has your current name, address, phone number and website. If you do not belong, find out what membership involves before deciding.

Suppliers and wholesalers you buy from. Some list the businesses that carry or use their products. Ask whether they have a “where to find us” or “our partners” page.

Sponsorships you already make. If you give to a youth team, a school fundraiser or a community event, the organizer often thanks sponsors on a website. Ask whether your business name can link to your site.

Local press and community newsletters. A neighborhood blog or newsletter may feature new businesses, anniversaries or events. Send a short, factual note about something that is actually happening.

Complementary businesses. A florist and a wedding venue serve the same customers without competing. Offer to list each other on a “friends we recommend” page, but only if you would honestly recommend them.

How to ask

Keep the message short and specific. Say who you are, why you are writing and exactly what you are asking for. Make it easy to say yes by giving the exact name, address and web address to use.

Hello, this is a note from Example Bakery. We are a member and would like to make sure our directory listing is current. Could you update our website address to the one below? Thank you for keeping the list up to date.

Notice what the example does not do. It does not demand anything, flatter anyone or offer a payment. It is just a clear, polite request.

Keep a simple record

Once you start asking, a small list keeps you organized. Note who you contacted, the date, what you asked for and what they said. Check back a few weeks later, and thank anyone who helped. A short thank-you note builds goodwill, and it makes the next request easier. If someone says no or does not reply, move on without pressure. Relationships with neighbors and suppliers are worth far more than any single link, and you will likely meet these people again at the same events and in the same shops.

Common mistakes

Buying links in bulk is the big one. Paid link schemes are against the rules of the major search engines and can cause more harm than good. Another mistake is sending the same copied message to dozens of strangers. A third is accepting any link at all, even from a page that has nothing to do with your business or your area.

Also watch for inconsistency. If your business name is written three different ways across three listings, tidy that up first. Consistent details make it easier for people to recognize you.

Try this today

  1. Write down five organizations or businesses that already know you and might have a page listing local businesses.
  2. Check whether each one already links to you, and whether the details are correct.
  3. Send one polite request this week, with your exact name, address and web address included.

Field notes

  • Links that come from real relationships are the ones worth wanting.
  • Start with places that already know your business.
  • Keep requests short, specific and easy to accept.
  • Never pay for bulk links.
  • Keep your business name and address written the same way everywhere.

Would you rather not build all of this by hand? websiites.com creates a complete website from a paragraph about your business, and you can see the finished site before you pay anything. The how it works page walks through the steps.