Why Should You Care About Other Websites Mentioning Yours?
If you’re running a business in Brisbane—whether you’re a sparky in Chermside or a lawyer in the CBD—you’ve probably heard people talk about 'links'.
In the marketing world, they call it 'link building'. But let’s cut the crap. For you, it’s really just about digital word-of-mouth.
Think about it this way: If ten respected builders in Brisbane all tell a homeowner that you’re the best plumber for a renovation, that homeowner is going to hire you. Google works the exact same way. When other reputable websites 'point' to your website with a link, Google sees it as a vote of confidence. The more high-quality votes you have, the higher you show up when someone searches for what you do.
Higher rankings mean more clicks. More clicks mean more phone calls. More phone calls mean more money in your pocket.
However, there is a right way and a very, very wrong way to do this. I’ve seen dozens of local business owners get burnt by 'cheap' services that promise to get them hundreds of links overnight. Most of what you read online about this is rubbish, and frankly, some of it can get your website banned from Google entirely.
In this guide, I’m going to show you how to get those digital recommendations the honest way, so you can grow your business without looking like a spammer.
The 'Dodgy' Way vs. The Profitable Way
I’ll be blunt: If someone emails you offering '5,000 links for $50', hit delete. They are selling you junk.
Years ago, you could trick Google by putting your website link on thousands of random, low-quality pages. Today, Google is too smart for that. If you try to cheat, they’ll simply stop showing your website to customers. We’ve seen website traffic drop for businesses that fell for these 'shortcuts', and let me tell you, it’s much harder (and more expensive) to fix a penalty than it is to do it right the first time.
The profitable way—the way that actually puts money in your bank account—is about building relationships. It’s about being a part of the Brisbane business community and making sure the internet knows it.
Predictions for 2024 and Beyond: Quality Over Quantity
If I were sitting down for a beer with a mate who owns a landscaping business, here is what I’d tell them about where things are heading:
1. Local Relevance is King
Google is getting much better at understanding geography. A link from a local Brisbane footy club or a Queensland trade association is worth ten times more than a link from a random blog in the US. Why? Because it proves you are actually serving the local community.2. Trust is the New Currency
With all the AI-generated junk flooding the internet, Google is looking for 'signals of trust'. They want to see that real humans are talking about you. This means that a single mention in the Courier Mail or a local community news site is like gold.3. Helpfulness Wins
Google wants to send people to experts. If you have helpful guides on your site—like 'How to choose the right tiles for a Brisbane patio'—and people link to that guide because it’s useful, you’ll win. This is a core part of being a local expert in your field.Practical Strategies to Get More Links (and Customers)
Let’s get into the 'how'. You don't need to be a tech wizard to do these things. You just need to be a proactive business owner.
Use Your Existing Relationships
Think about the businesses you already work with. Do you have a regular supplier? A subbie you always use? A business next door that you refer work to?Ask them for a mention on their 'Partners' or 'Suppliers' page. It’s a simple 'scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours' scenario. It costs nothing and takes five minutes.
Sponsor Something Local
This is one of my favourite 'hidden' tactics for Brisbane businesses. When you sponsor the local Little Athletics, the bowls club, or a charity event in your suburb, they almost always list their sponsors on their website.Cost: $500 - $2,000 (usually tax-deductible) Result: A high-quality, local link and great brand awareness in your service area.
Join Business Directories (The Right Ones)
Don't go joining every directory on the planet. Most are useless. Stick to the ones people actually use or the ones that are specific to your industry. Yellow Pages / True Local: Still worth it for the link. Industry Bodies: Master Builders, HIA, CPA Australia, etc.- Local Chambers of Commerce: Like the Brisbane North Chamber of Commerce.
Create 'Link-Worthy' Content
Nobody links to a 'Contact Us' page. People link to information that helps them. If you’re a mortgage broker, write a simple guide on 'How much deposit do I need for a house in Ipswich in 2024?'.When you provide value, other sites (like real estate blogs) might link to your guide to help their own readers. This is a fundamental part of a solid SEO strategy for any Australian business.
What is a Waste of Money?
I want to save you some cash here. Avoid these like the plague:
1. Buying Guest Posts on 'Link Farms': These are websites that exist only to sell links. Google knows exactly what they are and ignores them. 2. Automated Software: Anything that claims to 'submit your site to 1,000 search engines' is a scam from 2005. 3. Hiring 'Cheap' Overseas Agencies: I’ve seen too many Brisbane business owners pay $200 a month to an agency that just spams comment sections. It will hurt you in the long run.
How Long Until You See Results?
I’ll be honest with you: This isn't an overnight fix. If you start a 'link building' campaign today, you probably won't see your rankings jump tomorrow.
Usually, it takes 3 to 6 months to see a significant move in where you sit on Google. But here’s the kicker: once you get those rankings, they tend to stick. Unlike Facebook ads, where the leads stop the second you stop paying, a good link stays on the web forever, continuing to send you customers year after year.
Your Action Plan: What to Do First
If you have an hour this week, here is what I want you to do:
1. Google yourself: See who is already talking about you. 2. List your partners: Write down 5 businesses you work with who have websites. Call them and ask for a link. 3. Check your local club: Are you already donating to a local club? Check if they’ve linked to you. If not, ask. 4. Make sure your site works: Before you go getting links, ensure your website works on phones. There’s no point sending people to a site they can’t use.
Expert Insight: The 'Brisbane Advantage'
We’ve worked with dozens of businesses across South East Queensland, from Morningside to Milton. The biggest advantage small businesses have is their local connection. Big national companies can't get a link from the 'Paddington Community Garden' blog—but you can.
Focus on being the most helpful, most connected business in your suburb. Google will notice, and your phone will start ringing more often.
Need a Hand?
Look, I get it. You’re busy running a business. You’re on the tools, you’re seeing clients, or you’re managing a team. You don’t have time to spend hours emailing people for links.
That’s where we come in. At Local Marketing Group, we handle the heavy lifting for you. We don’t use spam, we don’t use shortcuts, and we don't use jargon. We just get results that help your business grow.
If you want more customers and a website that actually works for you, let’s have a chat.
Contact us today at https://lmgroup.au/contact and let’s get your business moving.