What is local link building?
Link building is the process of getting other websites to link to yours. Local link building is the same, but with a focus on earning links from other websites within your specific geographic area. For a business in Seattle, this means getting links from other sites in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, and the greater Puget Sound region.
When a reputable local website links to you, it sends a strong signal to Google that your business is a legitimate and trusted part of the local community. This boosts your authority and makes Google more likely to show your business in local search results, like the "map pack."
Why does local link building matter for Seattle businesses?
Competition in Seattle is intense. Whether you're a plumber in Ballard, a dentist in Bellevue, or a retailer in Tacoma, you have hundreds of competitors. To stand out in local search, you need stronger ranking signals than everyone else. High-quality local links are one of the most powerful signals you can have.
Think of it this way: a link from the *Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce* to your Bellevue law firm carries more weight for local rankings than a link from a generic business directory. It tells search engines you are relevant specifically to the Puget Sound economy.
How to Get Local Links in the Puget Sound
Here are tactics our team uses to build links for our clients. They work.
/1. Sponsor Local Events and Non-Profits
Sponsoring a local event is a straightforward way to earn a link. Many organizations link to their sponsors directly from their website. Look for opportunities that align with your brand.
- Events: Consider sponsoring a booth at the Fremont Fair, a stage at Bumbershoot, or a 5k race like the "Beat the Bridge" for JDRF. These events have high-traffic websites that will link to your company's site.
- Non-Profits: Find a cause you care about. Local organizations like FareStart, the Seattle Humane Society, or a neighborhood improvement group are always looking for corporate partners. A donation can often result in a link from their partners page.
/2. Host a Local Scholarship
Creating a small scholarship for students at the University of Washington, Seattle University, or a local community college is a proven way to earn .edu links, which are highly authoritative. Your scholarship doesn't need to be huge; a $500 or $1,000 award is enough.
Create a page on your website detailing the scholarship. Then, reach out to the financial aid offices and relevant academic departments at these schools. They will often list your scholarship—and link to your site—on their resources page for students.
/3. Join Local Business Associations
Many local business associations offer member directories, which include a link back to your website. These are valuable because the associations themselves are seen as pillars of the local business community.
- Chambers of Commerce: The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Bellevue Chamber, and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber are the big ones.
- Neighborhood Associations: Groups like the Ballard Alliance or the Fremont Chamber of Commerce offer hyper-local connections and linking opportunities.
- Industry Groups: Look for local chapters of your professional organization, like the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties for contractors.
/4. Offer a Discount to Local Groups
Create a special discount for members of a specific group and you create a reason for them to link to you. For example, a coffee shop near the UW campus could offer a 10% discount for students and faculty. You then contact the university to get your business listed on their student discount page.
Consider offering discounts to employees of major local companies like Amazon, Microsoft, or Boeing. Internal employee portals are a great, often overlooked, source of local links.
We once worked with a West Seattle auto shop. We helped them set up a discount for Port of Seattle employees. They were featured in an internal newsletter, which included a link. That single link drove a noticeable increase in quote requests.
/5. Create Seattle-Specific Resources
Become a go-to source for local information. When you create a uniquely useful resource, other local bloggers, journalists, and businesses will link to it naturally.
- A moving company could create a detailed guide to the pros and cons of living in different Seattle neighborhoods (e.g., Capitol Hill vs. Queen Anne).
- A real estate agent could publish a quarterly analysis of home prices in Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond, complete with original data.
- A brewery could create an interactive map of every dog-friendly brewery patio in the city.
These resources require effort, but they pay off by attracting links organically over the long term. It positions you as an expert in the local market, not just another service provider.
Getting the right local links is a fundamental part of a successful SEO strategy in a competitive market like Seattle. It requires a bit of creativity and a genuine investment in the community.
Ready to get more specific about your business? We can help you identify the best local link opportunities for your industry.
Get in touch through our /contact page.
Seattle, WA
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