If you want your roofing company to rank higher in local search results, generate more organic traffic, and dominate Google Maps, then you need to start building local backlinks. And one of the best places to start is with local directories and websites.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to find, evaluate, and build backlinks from local directories and websites that actually move the needle for your roofing SEO strategy.
What Are Local Backlinks?
Local backlinks are inbound links to your website from other websites that are relevant to your geographic area. These can come from:
- Local business directories
- Chambers of commerce
- Community blogs or news sites
- Local associations or nonprofit sponsors
- Regional contractor or home improvement directories
These links signal to Google that your roofing company is an established part of the local business ecosystem, which boosts your rankings in the Map Pack and local organic results.
Why Local Backlinks Matter for Roofers
1. They Strengthen Local SEO Signals
Backlinks from local directories reinforce your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency and boost your authority in Google’s eyes. When your business is listed on trusted local sites, it helps verify your legitimacy and improves your chances of ranking in Google Maps.
2. They Drive Referral Traffic
Backlinks from popular local sites and directories can also send direct traffic to your website. Homeowners who find you on their city's business page, chamber site, or community blog are more likely to convert because of the built-in trust factor.
3. They Support Citations and Organic Rankings
Local links often overlap with local citations, which are crucial for improving your local SEO visibility. But while citations usually provide NAP info, backlinks go a step further by passing authority to your domain.
How to Find Local Directory Backlink Opportunities
1. Start With the Big Ones
These national directories offer local listings and are often trusted by Google:
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp
- Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Angi
- HomeAdvisor
- Houzz
- Bing Places
Claim and optimize your profiles on these platforms with your correct NAP, service area, and website URL.
2. Search for Local Directories in Your Area
Use Google searches like:
- “[City] business directory”
- “[City] roofing contractors directory”
- “submit business [City]”
Examples might include your city’s Chamber of Commerce, a regional construction association, or local newspaper business directories.
3. Check Competitor Backlinks
Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to see where top-ranking local competitors are getting their backlinks. Look for directory listings, sponsorship mentions, or business roundups you can also appear in.
How to Evaluate Local Link Opportunities
Not all backlinks are created equal. Here’s how to decide if a local site is worth pursuing:
- Is the site local, home services-related, or industry-specific?
- Does the site have a solid Domain Authority (DA) or trust score?
- Is the page indexed by Google and ranking for anything?
- Does it link to legitimate businesses (not spammy sites)?
If it looks outdated, spammy, or irrelevant—it’s probably not worth the time.
How to Build Backlinks from Local Websites
1. Submit to Local Directories
Manually submit your business info to local directories that allow it. Include:
- Business name (exact match with your website)
- Address and phone number
- Website URL
- Short business description (include roofing services and cities you serve)
- Photos or logos if allowed
2. Partner with Local Organizations
Sponsor a local sports team, nonprofit, or community event. These often come with a backlink from the organization’s website.
“Proud sponsor of McKinney Youth Baseball – ABC Roofing Co.” (with a link back to your site)
3. Get Listed on Local News Sites or Blogs
Pitch local media outlets or neighborhood blogs about:
- Storm response coverage
- Customer success stories
- Tips on roof maintenance before winter or storm season
If they feature your business and link to your site, that’s a high-authority local backlink.
4. Join Local Associations or Business Groups
Get involved with:
- Your local Chamber of Commerce
- Contractor associations or trade groups
- Local networking groups (like BNI chapters)
Most offer a member directory with a website link as part of your membership.
5. Create Local Content That Earns Links
Write helpful, location-specific blog content that others will want to link to, like:
- “How to Handle Hail Damage in Frisco, TX”
- “Top 5 Roofing Issues for North Texas Homeowners”
- “How to Prep Your Roof for Spring Storms in Plano”
Then share it with local influencers, blogs, and community groups. This approach works especially well during storm season.
How HOWL Helps Roofers Build Local Authority With Backlinks
At HOWL, we include local link-building as a core part of every Local SEO strategy for roofers. Our backlink approach includes:
- Manual submission to trusted local directories
- Partnerships with regional blogs and home improvement sites
- Backlink audits and cleanup of toxic links
- Content strategies that attract organic backlinks
We don’t chase spammy link farms—we focus on local authority that drives real search rankings and leads.
Final Thoughts: Backlinks Still Matter—Especially Local Ones
Google’s local algorithm still relies heavily on trust and authority. Building backlinks from local directories and websites is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen both. And best of all, it doesn’t require massive budgets or complicated SEO tools—just smart strategy, consistency, and some outreach.
Apply to work with HOWL and let us handle your local backlink building—so you can focus on roofing while we focus on ranking.