10-Step Local Link Building Cheat Sheet to Boost Rankings

Let’s be honest: link building is rarely fun. Local marketers know it’s essential to acquire backlinks, use internal linking wisely, and ensure citations and social signals are accurate. On top of that, monitoring for broken links is a must.

Despite being a tedious task, link building remains one of the most powerful components of a successful SEO strategy—especially for local businesses, since 93% of online experiences start with a search engine.

Finsbury Media has put together a 10-step cheat sheet to make local link building more effective and manageable.

1. Publish original research or case studies

Data-driven content attracts backlinks naturally. Instead of relying on someone else’s data, conduct your own research or create in-depth case studies. Even small-scale case studies can provide meaningful insights that other marketers in your industry will reference.

2. Create visually appealing infographics

Visual content is highly shareable. Infographics allow you to summarize statistics or trends in a way that’s easy to digest. Include an embed code and social share buttons so others can republish your infographic while linking back to your site. Tools like Canva or Adobe Express can help you create professional graphics quickly.

3. Maintain active social media profiles

Social signals still matter for local SEO and domain authority. Share content that encourages engagement—posts that are informative, entertaining, or visually appealing perform best. Consistency across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and X/Twitter ensures your content reaches a wider audience.

4. List your business in relevant directories

Third-party directories boost local search rankings while providing authoritative backlinks. Focus on high-quality, niche-specific directories rather than trying to get listed everywhere. Examples include Clutch for agencies or Yelp for local B2C businesses. Even if some directories require a fee, the SEO benefit often outweighs the cost.

5. Understand dofollow vs. nofollow links

Dofollow links pass authority and help improve your rankings, while nofollow links do not transfer link equity but can still drive traffic. Both can be valuable, so aim for a healthy mix, but prioritize high-quality dofollow backlinks. Tools like Chrome extensions can help you identify link types quickly.

6. Use relevant, keyword-rich anchor text

Avoid generic phrases like “click here.” Instead, use anchor text that reflects the content of the linked page. This consistency helps Google understand the topic and improves your local search rankings.

7. Monitor and fix broken links

Broken links disrupt user experience and SEO. Regularly check your site for internal broken links and fix them. For external backlinks that are broken, reach out to the publisher or implement a 301 redirect to the correct page. Maintaining link integrity ensures search engines can crawl your site efficiently.

8. Contribute guest blogs on authoritative sites

Guest blogging remains a reliable way to earn backlinks when done correctly. Focus on high-authority, relevant websites. When pitching a guest post:

• Introduce yourself and connect with the editor.
• Compliment their content.
• Explain the value your article will provide to their audience.

High-quality, relevant guest posts can generate strong backlinks and brand exposure.

9. Leverage testimonials

Writing testimonials for partners, vendors, or tools you use can earn backlinks naturally. Many testimonials include a link back to your website. This simple tactic can build credibility and strengthen your link profile without heavy effort.

10. Track unlinked brand mentions

People often mention your brand without linking to your website. Keep an eye on mentions online and politely request a backlink from the publisher. This can turn overlooked mentions into valuable, authoritative links.

Finsbury Media Note

Implementing these 10 steps consistently can dramatically improve your local SEO performance, enhance your authority, and attract more qualified traffic to your website. Local link building doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it just needs a structured, strategic approach.