Local Link Building
Local Link Building, aka Getting Colorado Springs to Vouch for You)
What Are Local Links?
A local link is when another website in your area links to your website. There are two types you need to understand:
1) Local Backlinks
These are links from other local websites pointing to yours. Here are some examples:
- A Colorado Springs magazine featuring your business
- A local news article
- A Chamber of Commerce listing
- A partner salon or boutique linking to you
Think of backlinks as votes of confidence from other local websites.
2) Citations
Citations are listings that include your
- Business Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Website
This is often called your NAP (Name, Address, Phone). These usually live in directories like:
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp
- Bing Places for Business
- Better Business Bureau
Both backlinks and citations matter. Together, they strengthen your local authority.
Why This Matters (Especially for You)
Google doesn’t just rank businesses based on how pretty their website looks. It asks:
- Does this business actually exist?
- Is their information consistent?
- Do other local websites mention them?
- Are they active and relevant in this area?
Local links help Google determine:
- Your authority
- Your credibility
- Your local relevance
When someone searches:
“nail tech near me”
“waxing in Colorado Springs”
“Colorado Springs PMU artist”
Google uses local links and citations to decide who shows up.
The Non-Negotiable Rule: Accuracy
This is critical. Your NAP must be identical everywhere. Not:
- Suite 100 in one place
- #100 in another
- 100 in another
- Home address in one place and work address in another
Google may interpret those as different businesses. Inconsistent information can:
- Hurt your rankings
- Lower your authority
- Make Google question your legitimacy
Before building new links, audit your existing listings and clean them up. Precision wins here.
Where Should You Be Listed?
Core Platforms (Start Here)
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp
- Bing Places for Business
- Better Business Bureau
Industry-Specific Review Sites (Depending on Your Niche)
- WeddingWire (Bridal artists, wedding hair & makeup)
- The Knot (Wedding professionals)
- Healthgrades (If applicable in medical aesthetics)
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be where your ideal clients already are.
5 Ways to Build Local Backlinks (That Actually Make Sense for You)
1) Local Directories
Join:
- Local business associations
- City business listings
These are strong authority signals.
2) Community Involvement
Sponsor:
- A school event
- A charity fundraiser
- A local pop-up market
If your logo is on their website → that’s a backlink.
3) Partner with Other Local Businesses
Example ideas:
- Lash artist + photographer referral partnership
- Esthetician + wedding planner collaboration
- Nail tech featured on a boutique’s site
When you collaborate with another local business, ask if they can mention and link to your business on their website. It’s a simple, professional way to build visibility and strengthen your local online presence.
4) Create Local Content
Write blog posts like:
- “Best Bridal Makeup Looks in Colorado Springs”
- “How to Prepare for Your First Brazilian Wax in Colorado Springs”
- “Top Skincare Tips for Dry Colorado Climate”
Then:
- Reach out to local bloggers
- Tourism pages
- Influencers
Offer them value worth linking to.
5) Reviews That Reinforce Keywords
When clients leave reviews, encourage them (naturally) to mention:
- Your service
- Your location
- The type of appointment
For example, “I drove from Denver to Colorado Springs for my bridal makeup…” is the kind of detail helps Google connect your name to those keywords.
Review Platforms Beyond Google
While your Google Business Profile should always be your top priority, it’s also worth considering platforms like Yelp, Facebook, or the Better Business Bureau depending on where your clients naturally leave reviews. You don’t need to be active on every platform. Focus on the ones your audience actually uses. More listings aren’t necessarily better. Relevance and consistency will always have a stronger impact.
The Big Picture
Local link building isn’t random, but it’s strategic, consistent, and rooted in reputation. It’s one important piece of your larger SEO puzzle. When your digital footprint is accurate, consistent, and supported by local mentions across the web, search engines gain confidence in your business. The more trust you build, the more likely your business is to appear when local clients are searching for services like yours. That visibility is the ultimate goal.
Before moving on to Lesson Four, remember that local SEO isn’t about trying to be everywhere or doing everything at once. It’s about doing the right things correctly and maintaining consistency over time. Every accurate listing, partnership, and mention strengthens your digital authority, one step at a time.
