If you run a business directory and want your site to rank higher on search engines, one of the best ways to do that is by building the right kind of links. Not all links are equal, and choosing the right links can help your directory show up alongside big names like Yelp and MapQuest. This article explains how to use topical and geographic linkbuilding to improve your directory's SEO, based on insights from SEO expert Bradley Benner of Semantic Mastery.
Table of Contents
What Are Topical and Geographic Links?
Before we get into the details, let's clarify what topical and geographic links mean:
- Topical Links: These are links that come from websites or pages related to the same topic or industry as your directory. For example, if your directory lists tree service companies, a link from a gardening blog or a landscaping website would be a topical link.
- Geographic Links: These links come from websites related to a specific location, such as a city or region. If your directory targets businesses in Pikeville, Kentucky, a link from a Pikeville local news site or community forum would be a geographic link.
Both types of links help search engines understand what your directory is about and where it is relevant. However, focusing mostly on topical links tends to be more effective for directories that cover many locations.
Why Topical Links Are the Best for Your Directory
Topical links are powerful because they show search engines that your directory is connected to a specific industry or niche. When your directory lists businesses in one category—like tree services—it makes sense to get links from websites related to that niche. This helps build your directory’s authority and relevance across all the locations it covers.
For example, if your directory is about tree services, links from tree care blogs, arborist associations, or landscaping websites will help your directory look trustworthy and important to search engines. This is true no matter where the businesses in your directory are located.
Bradley Benner points out that it’s easier and more efficient to build topical links than geographic links because topical links are relevant to the entire directory. Since all the businesses listed share a similar service type, topical links boost the overall authority of your site in that niche.
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When to Use Geographic Links
Geographic links come into play when your directory targets specific locations. For example, if you want to focus on businesses in Pikeville, Kentucky, you might build links from websites that serve that area, such as local news sites, city guides, or community blogs.
One way to do this is by building links to specific search result pages on your directory that show listings for that location. For instance, a search page for “tree service near Pikeville” on your directory could get geographic links from Pikeville-related websites. This helps boost the visibility of businesses in that area.
However, geographic links require more effort because you need to find relevant websites tied to each location you want to target. The links also need to be relevant to that specific location to have the best impact.
How to Combine Topical and Geographic Linkbuilding
The most effective strategy is to focus mostly on topical links for your entire directory and add geographic links for specific locations you want to grow. This combination helps your directory rank well for both broad industry searches and local searches.
For example, if your directory covers tree services across several states, build many topical links from tree-related websites to boost the whole directory’s authority. Then, for cities or regions you want to push, build geographic links to those specific location pages on your directory.
This way, your directory gains strong overall authority while also showing up well in local searches where people look for services nearby.
Example: Building Links for Tree Service Listings
Let’s say you run a directory called TrueAreHQ.com, which lists tree service companies. You want to improve your directory’s SEO to make it appear alongside big directory sites when people search for tree services or specific business names.
Here’s what you can do:
- Focus on Topical Links: Reach out to websites, blogs, and forums related to tree care, landscaping, and arboriculture. Ask for links to your directory’s homepage or category pages.
- Use Geographic Links: Identify locations where you want to grow your directory’s presence, like Pikeville, Kentucky, or Virginia. Find local websites and ask for links to your directory’s search result pages for those locations.
- Keep It Relevant: Only build geographic links from websites that are connected to the location you are targeting. This keeps the links natural and effective.
Bradley shares that sometimes, directories include related categories like landscaping or excavating because some tree service companies offer those services as well. This helps keep clients happy and ensures their business is represented properly.
Handling Spam Links in Your Directory
One challenge with directories is that other people might submit listings and create spammy links. For example, an SEO company might submit a client’s listing to your directory and then spam that listing’s URL with low-quality links.
This is normal and hard to prevent because your directory is open to public submissions. However, this doesn’t mean your directory’s overall SEO will suffer if you focus on building high-quality topical links yourself.
Bradley points out that the high authority and relevant topical links you build will outweigh the spam links and help your directory maintain strong SEO.
How to Get Your Directory to Show Up Alongside Big Players
The goal for many directory owners is to have their site appear in search results alongside trusted directories like Yelp and MapQuest. To do this, you need to build your directory’s authority so Google takes it seriously.
Here’s how topical linkbuilding helps:
- Build Relevance: Topical links make your directory look like a trusted source in your niche.
- Increase Authority: Links from high-quality, relevant websites raise your directory’s trust level.
- Boost Branded Search Results: When someone searches for a business name listed on your directory, your site can show up alongside other trusted directories.
Remember, building authority takes time. Keep focusing on quality topical links and targeted geographic links, and your directory will gradually climb the rankings.
Tips for Building Links to Your Directory
- Know Your Niche: Focus on one or a few closely related industries to make topical linkbuilding easier.
- Expand by Location: Instead of targeting every business type in one city, target one industry and expand geographically.
- Use Search Result Pages: Build geographic links to your directory’s search pages for specific cities or regions.
- Quality Over Quantity: Choose high-authority websites that are relevant to your niche or location.
- Be Patient: SEO and linkbuilding take time to show results, so keep working consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What type of links should I buy to boost my directory’s SEO?
Topical links are usually the best choice because they come from websites related to your directory’s niche. You can also add geographic links to target specific locations if your directory covers multiple areas.
Can I prevent spammy links from hurting my directory?
Spam links are common in directories because anyone can submit listings. While you can’t stop others from spamming, building high-quality topical links helps maintain your directory’s overall authority and reduces the impact of spam.
Is it better to build a directory for one city or for multiple locations?
It depends on your strategy. Building a directory focused on one industry but covering multiple locations is often easier to manage and scale than targeting many business types in one city.
How long does it take for linkbuilding to improve directory rankings?
SEO is a long-term process. It can take several months of consistent linkbuilding before you see noticeable improvements in search rankings.
Can I use the same linkbuilding strategy for all types of directories?
Generally, yes, but you should adjust based on your directory’s niche and coverage area. Topical links work well for niche-specific directories, while geographic links are useful for location-specific directories.
Conclusion
Building the right links is key to boosting your directory’s SEO and making it stand out in search results. Focusing mainly on topical links helps establish your directory’s authority in its niche. Adding geographic links to target specific locations can further improve your local search presence.
Remember to focus on quality and relevance when building links. Avoid getting overwhelmed by trying to target too many business types or locations at once. Instead, pick one niche you know well and grow your directory geographically over time.
With patience and the right linkbuilding strategy, your directory can become a trusted source that ranks alongside major players like Yelp and MapQuest.