How do you get other Seattle websites to link to you?
Most SEO advice talks about link building on a national scale. That advice doesn't work for a Bellevue dentist, a Tacoma plumber, or a Seattle law firm. You aren't trying to get links from Forbes. You need links from other websites your customers actually read.
A strong local backlink profile tells search engines that you are a legitimate, authoritative player in the Puget Sound market. When a respected Seattle-based organization links to your website, it's a vote of confidence. Google sees that vote and is more likely to show your site to local searchers.
Our team has spent years building links for clients in the Seattle area. Here are the strategies we use because they consistently deliver results.
Sponsor Local Events and Organizations
Sponsoring a local event is one of the most direct ways to earn a local link. Almost every event, from the Ballard SeafoodFest to a local 5k, has a sponsors page. That page will include a link back to your website.
Think beyond the obvious big-ticket events. Consider sponsoring:
- A local youth sports team in Queen Anne or West Seattle.
- A specific exhibit at a smaller museum like the National Nordic Museum.
- A local meetup group for an industry relevant to yours.
- The University of Washington or Seattle University department events.
These sponsorships often provide more than just a link. They build goodwill in your community. When choosing a sponsorship, pick an organization that reflects your company's values. The link is the SEO benefit, but the community connection is just as valuable.
Connect with Local Journalists and Bloggers
Seattle has a vibrant community of local journalists and bloggers. These writers are always looking for local experts to contribute to their stories. Getting quoted in the Seattle Times, Puget Sound Business Journal, or a popular local blog like The Evergrey is a powerful backlink.
How do you connect with them?
- Follow them on social media. See what they're writing about and what interests them.
- Be a source. Sign up for services like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and specify your expertise in the Seattle market.
- Create genuinely useful content. A Bellevue real estate agent could create a detailed guide to local school districts. A Tacoma restaurant could publish a guide to the best local food producers. This is content a journalist might link to.
Never just email a reporter asking for a link. Provide value first. Offer your expertise, share a unique data point about the Seattle market, or point them to a resource you created that would be genuinely useful for their readers.
"We helped a financial services client in downtown Seattle develop a report on the true cost of living in various Puget Sound neighborhoods. A reporter from a major Seattle publication found it and linked to it in an article about the local housing market. That single link drove qualified traffic for months."
Host a Local Event
Instead of sponsoring an event, host one yourself. This positions you as a community leader and creates a natural reason for other local businesses and organizations to link to your event page.
Your event could be:
- A free workshop for potential clients.
- A charity fundraiser for a local cause like Food Lifeline or Mary's Place.
- A networking event for others in your industry at a local spot like Optimism Brewing.
Create a dedicated page on your website with all the event details. Then, promote it through local event calendars like those on Seattle Met or The Stranger. Every calendar listing that includes a link back to your event page is a valuable local backlink.
Build Relationships with Other Local Businesses
Think about the other businesses you work with. Your suppliers, your partners, and even your friendly competitors can be sources of valuable local links.
If you're a general contractor in the Eastside, you probably work with specific plumbers, electricians, and architects. You can feature them on a "Partners" page on your website and ask them to do the same for you. This creates a small, relevant network of local links that search engines understand.
A Tacoma coffee shop could get a link from the local pottery studio that makes their mugs. A Bellevue marketing agency could get a link from the web developer they partner with on projects. These are authentic, earned links based on real business relationships.
Building a local link profile is a long-term project. It requires consistent effort and genuine community engagement. Unlike national SEO, you can't automate it. But by focusing on real relationships and creating value for your fellow Seattleites, you can build a portfolio of links that drives real business results.
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