Falls Technology ServicesWhen another website links to yours, Google takes it as a sign that people find you useful. A few links from real local businesses and organizations are worth far more than hundreds from websites nobody visits.
Honest ways to earn links
- Your local Chamber of Commerce or business association directory, if you're a member
- Suppliers, partners and the businesses you work with: many have a "partners" or "where to buy" page
- Local news: a real story (an event, a milestone, help you gave the community) often comes with a link
- Sponsoring a local team, school event or charity run: sponsors are usually listed on the event's website
- Teaching or speaking: a class at the library or a talk for a local group gets listed on their calendar
- Being genuinely useful: a helpful page on your own site (prices, a how-to, a local guide) is something others want to point to
What Google calls link spam
Google's spam policies say these can get a site demoted, and they're not worth the risk:
- Buying or selling links to rank higher (paid ads and sponsorships are fine when the link is marked as sponsored)
- Excessive link swaps: "link to me and I'll link to you" as a scheme
- Automated programs or services that create links for you
- Making a link a required condition in a contract or terms
- Low-quality directory and bookmark sites, and keyword-stuffed links hidden in footers or widgets across many sites
Watch out for
- E-mails promising "100 high-authority backlinks" for a small fee
- Anyone guaranteeing a #1 ranking
Keep your details the same everywhere
Wherever your business is listed, use exactly the same name, phone number and website. It helps customers and search engines know all those mentions are the same business.
Source: Google Search Central, spam policies (link spam). We help local businesses get listed properly and build websites worth linking to.
General information in plain English, checked when we wrote it. It isn't legal, tax or professional advice, and rules and products change: for your own situation, check the official source or ask a professional. See our website terms.
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