Guide · Updated October 2026

How Do Small Businesses Get Backlinks?

Realistic ways for small businesses to earn backlinks: local partners, suppliers, directories, press and useful content, plus link tactics to avoid.

How Do Small Businesses Get Backlinks?

Short answer: Small businesses get the most useful backlinks from real relationships: suppliers, local organisations, trade bodies, partners and local press. A handful of relevant local links usually beats hundreds of random ones, and you never need to buy links.

What a backlink is and why it helps

A backlink is a link from another website to yours. Google treats relevant links from trusted sites as a sign that your business is real and worth recommending. For a local business, links from sites in your area or industry tend to count for more than links from unrelated sites across the world.

Ten realistic sources of links

  1. Suppliers and manufacturers. Many list approved installers or stockists. Ask to be added.
  2. Trade associations. Membership often includes a directory listing with a link.
  3. Accreditation schemes. Safety or quality schemes usually have a searchable member list.
  4. Local business groups. Chambers of commerce and networking groups often feature members.
  5. Sponsorships. Sponsoring a local sports team, school fair or charity event commonly earns a thank you link.
  6. Partners you refer work to. A kitchen fitter and an electrician can link to each other as trusted partners.
  7. Local press. A new opening, milestone or community project can earn coverage.
  8. Customer businesses. Commercial clients sometimes credit the firm that did their work.
  9. Guides and resources. A genuinely useful local guide on your site can attract links naturally.
  10. Quality directories. A few respected national and local directories, not hundreds of low quality ones.

Links work best when they point to a site worth visiting. Let SiteDrum build yours.

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How to ask without being awkward

Keep it simple and personal. For example, to a supplier: 'We have been installing your products for three years. Do you have a page listing local installers? We would love to be included.' Most people are happy to help someone they already work with.

Tactics to avoid

  • Buying links from sellers promising instant rankings. This breaks Google's spam policies.
  • Link farms and private networks built only to pass links.
  • Mass directory submissions to hundreds of low quality sites.
  • Spammy comments on blogs and forums with your link.

These can lead Google to ignore your links or, in bad cases, take manual action against your site.

Make your site link worthy

People are more willing to link to a site that looks professional and loads quickly. If your current site is broken, slow or outdated, partners may hesitate. Our Website Rescue service fixes problem sites, or you can start fresh with a new build.

How many links do you need?

Fewer than you think. In many local markets, ten to twenty relevant local links plus a strong Google Business Profile can put you ahead of competitors who have done nothing.

The bottom line

For small businesses, backlinks come from the real world: the people you buy from, work with and support. Ask politely, avoid shortcuts, and build steadily.

Frequently asked questions

Are backlinks still important?

Yes, though for local businesses they work alongside reviews, your Google profile and website quality.

Should I pay for backlinks?

No. Paid links intended to manipulate rankings break Google's policies and can harm your site.

Do social media links count as backlinks?

They are usually not followed by Google for ranking purposes, but they still bring visitors and help people find you.

How do I see who links to me?

Google Search Console has a Links report showing sites that link to yours.

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