Build better Backlinks: a guide for smb's

For small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), gaining visibility on search engines like Google can be tough, especially when going head-to-head with massive organizations with million dollar ad budgets.

For this David vs Goliath digital battle, one of the most powerful tools in your SEO arsenal will be high quality backlinks. Backlinks signal to search engines that your website is authoritative and trustworthy, helping to boost rankings and attract more visitors, especially for smaller sites.

In this guide, we’ll explore practical and actionable strategies SMBs can use to generate more backlinks, ultimately strengthening their online presence.

1. Create High-Quality, Link-Worthy Content

Content is the foundation of any successful backlink strategy. If your website offers valuable, informative, and engaging content, other websites will be more likely to link to it. Here are a few content types that tend to attract backlinks:

Original Research & Data Studies – Conduct surveys, analyze industry trends, or create case studies that provide new insights. Data-backed content is highly shareable and often cited by other websites.
Ultimate Guides & How-To Articles – Comprehensive guides that provide in-depth knowledge on a subject can establish your brand as an authority and attract backlinks from businesses and bloggers.
Infographics – Well-designed infographics summarize information visually, making it easier for readers to digest and share.
Listicles & Resource Pages – Lists of tools, strategies, or best practices in your industry can serve as helpful resources others may want to reference.

2. Leverage Guest Blogging

Guest blogging allows you to contribute articles to reputable websites in your industry while earning a backlink in return. To get started:

Identify high-authority websites relevant to your niche that accept guest posts.
Pitch unique and valuable content ideas tailored to their audience.
Include a contextual backlink to your website within the article or author bio.

To maximize results, focus on quality over quantity—writing for a few high-authority sites will have a bigger impact than publishing on low-quality blogs.

3. Get Listed in Business Directories & Local Citations

Submitting your business to online directories and citation websites is an easy way to build backlinks. Many of these sites have high domain authority, which can positively impact your SEO. Some of the best directories include:

Google My Business
Yelp
Bing Places for Business
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Chamber of Commerce directories
Industry-specific directories

Ensure that your business information is accurate and consistent across all listings to improve your local search rankings.

4. Build Relationships with Industry Influencers & Bloggers

Networking with industry influencers, bloggers, and journalists can open the door to backlink opportunities. Here’s how you can engage them:

Engage on Social Media – Comment on their posts, share their content, and start meaningful conversations.
Offer Expert Insights – Respond to journalists' requests for expert opinions using platforms like HARO (Help a Reporter Out).
Collaborate on Content – Partner on blog posts, videos, or research projects to get your brand featured on their platforms.

5. Utilize Broken Link Building

Broken link building is a strategic way to earn backlinks by helping webmasters fix broken links on their sites. Follow these steps:

Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Check My Links to find broken links on high-authority websites in your industry.
Reach out to the webmaster with a friendly email, informing them of the broken link.
Suggest your relevant content as a replacement.

Since this approach provides value to the site owner, it has a high success rate for gaining backlinks.

6. Leverage Social Proof & Testimonials

Many companies feature customer testimonials and case studies on their websites. If you use certain tools, software, or services, offer to provide a testimonial in exchange for a backlink. Similarly, you can showcase your clients' success stories on your website, encouraging them to link back to you.

7. Create Shareable Press Releases

If your business has noteworthy news—such as launching a new product, hosting an event, or receiving an award—distribute a press release through reputable channels like PR Newswire, Business Wire, or industry-specific news outlets. Journalists and bloggers looking for content often pick up these stories, providing backlinks in the process.

8. Engage in Online Communities & Forums

Participating in relevant online communities can help you gain backlinks naturally. Join industry forums, LinkedIn groups, and Q&A websites like Quora or Reddit, where you can share your expertise. While direct self-promotion isn’t effective, genuinely helping others and linking to valuable resources on your site can lead to organic backlinks.

9. Conduct Outreach to Link Roundups & Resource Pages

Many websites create link roundups that feature the best industry content. To take advantage of this:

Search for “[your industry] + link roundup” in Google.
Reach out to site owners and suggest including your best content.
Ensure your content is relevant and adds value to their roundup.

Similarly, resource pages list valuable tools and references. Identify pages relevant to your business and pitch your content as a helpful addition.

10. Monitor Competitors’ Backlinks & Replicate Their Success

Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to analyze your competitors’ backlink profiles. Look for sites linking to them and identify opportunities where you can earn similar backlinks. If a competitor has written a guest post or been featured in an article, consider reaching out to the same publisher.

Conclusion

Backlinks are a crucial part of any successful SEO strategy, but they require time, effort, and persistence. By creating valuable content, building relationships, and leveraging strategic outreach, SMBs can significantly increase their backlink profile. The key is to focus on quality over quantity—earning backlinks from high-authority, relevant websites will yield the best long-term results. Start implementing these tactics today, and watch your organic traffic grow!