Start with Your Existing Network (The “Low Hanging Fruit”)

The easiest backlinks come from people you already know and pay. You likely have relationships with suppliers, distributors, or business neighbors who have websites but haven’t linked to you.

• List: Write down every business you pay money to (accountant, supplier, cleaning company, IT support).
• Check: Go to their website. do they have a “Partners,” “Clients,” or “Our Work” page?
• Ask: Send a friendly email: “Hi [Name], I noticed you have a client page. We’ve loved working with you for [X] years would you be open to listing us there? I’m happy to provide a logo and a blurb.”
  
  

Because you are a paying customer, they are highly incentivized to say yes.

Leverage “Unlinked Mentions”

Often, local news sites, bloggers, or event pages will mention your business name but fail to add a hyperlink. This is a “wasted” opportunity.

• Search: Go to Google and search for “Your Business Name” -site:yourdomain.com.
• Filter: Look for results that mention you in text (e.g., “The catering was provided by [Your Business]”).
• Inspect: Click the link. Is your name blue (clickable)? If not, it’s an unlinked mention.
• Outreach: Email the author: “Thanks for the shoutout! I noticed the business name isn’t clickable would you mind linking it to [https://www.google.com/search?q=yourwebsite.com] so readers can find us?”
  
  

This has a high success rate because you are asking for a small edit, not a new favor.

Offer a Testimonial or Case Study

Every business needs social proof. If you write a glowing testimonial for a local partner, they will almost certainly publish it on their site and usually link back to you to prove the review is real.

• Identify: Find a partner whose service you genuinely like (e.g., your office sign maker).
• Write: Draft a 2-3 sentence review praising their specific work.
• Send: “Hi [Name], just wanted to say how great the new sign looks. I wrote a quick blurb you can use on your website if you like. [Paste Testimonial]. Feel free to link it to our site so people know we’re a real customer.”
  
  

Sponsor Local Events or Charities

Local sponsorships are powerful for “Local SEO” because they earn you links from highly relevant, geographically specific domains (schools, clubs, charities) that national competitors can’t get.

• Find: Search for local sports teams, charity runs, or festivals in your city.
• Assess: Check their “Sponsors” page. Do the logos link back to the sponsor’s website?
• Sponsor: Offer a small donation (£50–£200) or a service in exchange for a sponsorship slot.
• Verify: Ensure the link they give you is a “dofollow” link (which passes ranking power), though even “nofollow” links from local sites help build trust signals.
  
  

Write a “Local Guide” or Resource

Become the “connector” in your community. If you write a high-quality guide to your city, other local businesses will want to be included and will link to it.

• Create: Write a blog post like “The Top 10 Coffee Shops in [City] for Remote Working” or “The Best Wedding Venues in [County]”.
• Feature: List 10 non-competing businesses and write a nice review for each.
• Notify: Email them: “Hi! Just wanted to let you know we featured you as one of the best spots in town. Here’s the link if you want to share it.”
• Result: Many will share the article on their social media or link to it from their “Press” page.