For landscape businesses, ranking higher on Google Search can mean more clients and growth. Search engines like Google confirm that links remain one of the top ranking factors. Yet, studies show 94% of online content gets no links at all.
This makes strategic link building essential. Quality backlinks act like votes of confidence for a website. They help improve visibility in search results over time.
Landscapers can use proven SEO tactics to earn these valuable links. Methods like the Skyscraper Technique and Moving Man Method deliver results. Industry research from Semrush shows links strongly influence rankings.
Successful campaigns from Entrepreneur.com and HubSpot prove these strategies work. The right approach creates a snowball effect – each quality link makes the next one easier to get.
This guide covers six effective ways to build links. These methods help landscaping businesses grow their online presence and attract more customers.
Understanding Backlinks and Their Importance
In the digital world, links act like bridges between websites. When one site links to another, it signals trust and relevance. Search engines use these connections to determine which pages deserve higher rankings.
What Are Backlinks?
Backlinks are incoming links from other websites to a page on your site. Think of them as recommendations. For example, when Forbes links to an expert’s article, it boosts credibility.
- Dofollow links pass authority and help with rankings.
- Nofollow links, like blog comments, don’t directly impact rankings but can drive traffic.
Google’s Penguin algorithm penalizes sites that overuse exact-match anchor text. Instead, natural, varied links work best.
Why Do Backlinks Matter for SEO?
Quality links improve domain authority and visibility. A case study showed that a single resource page earned over 35,600 backlinks, proving their value.
- Traffic boost: Links from high-authority sites like TechCrunch bring direct visitors.
- Trust signals: Google’s E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) criteria favor well-linked content.
- Avoid spam: Tools like Screaming Frog help monitor harmful links.
Strategic link-building ensures long-term growth. The right links make a site more discoverable and trustworthy.
Traits of High-Quality Backlinks
Not all links are created equal—some boost rankings while others barely make an impact. Search engines evaluate links based on three key factors: the authority of the linking site, its relevance to your niche, and how the link is anchored. Here’s how to spot the gold-standard links.
Authority and Trustworthiness of Referring Domains
A link from TechCrunch holds more weight than one from a personal blog. Tools like Moz’s Domain Authority (DA) score measure this. For example, Harvard.edu (DA 94) passes far more “link juice” than a DA 20 blog.
High-authority domains signal trust to Google. Wix.com’s Ahrefs profile shows a DR76 link from a university—proof that .edu and .gov links often deliver stronger results.
Relevance to Your Niche
A marathon site linking to your fitness blog makes sense. A fishing site? Not so much. Google rewards topical alignment. Semrush’s studies show relevant links improve search results visibility by 37%.
For landscapers, a link from a gardening magazine beats one from a tech blog. Context matters.
The Role of Anchor Text
Anchor text—the clickable words in a link—should sound natural. Instead of “best landscaping services,” try “eco-friendly lawn care tips.” Google’s Penguin algorithm penalizes exact-match anchor text overuse.
Optmyzr’s blog uses contextual links like “SEO podcast” seamlessly. This avoids spam flags while guiding users.
Create Linkable Assets for Your Landscape Business
Landscaping businesses thrive when they create valuable resources others want to share. These linkable assets—guides, tools, or case studies—position your brand as an authority while attracting organic links. For example, Backlinko’s YouTube SEO guide gained sustained traffic by solving a common problem.
Types of Linkable Assets
Evergreen content like 4,800-word ultimate guides ranks for years. Equipment checklists or seasonal landscaping tips also work well. Interactive tools, such as a “Best Plants for Drought Areas” quiz, engage users and earn mentions.
Case studies showcasing successful projects appeal to industry blogs. Lawn & Landscape Magazine often features these. Repurpose content into video tutorials or infographics to expand reach.
How to Promote Your Assets
Share assets on social media and pitch them via HARO (Help a Reporter Out). A skyscraper-style guide earned 20,777 shares by targeting niche forums.
Use Semrush’s Content Audit tool to find gaps competitors missed. Guest posts on blogs can highlight your resources. For example, a drought-resistant plant guide might fit a gardening blog’s needs.
Repurposing a blog into a video tutorial, like Backlinko’s strategy, doubles exposure. Pair infographics with brief how-to posts for easy sharing.
Leverage Link Roundups in the Landscaping Industry
Industry-specific roundups offer a goldmine of link-building opportunities for landscapers. These curated lists, like GARDENING WEEKLY’s popular resource collections, feature top-tier content—and getting included can drive traffic and credibility.
Finding Relevant Link Roundups
Start with advanced Google searches. Try operators like “hardscape ideas” + “weekly resources” to uncover niche roundups. Tools like Google Alerts for “landscape design roundups” automate discoveries.
Subscribe to industry newsletters such as Total Landscape Care. Many editors highlight standout content monthly. Monitoring these ensures timely pitches.
Crafting the Perfect Pitch
Personalization boosts response rates by 40%. Reference the roundup’s theme: “Love your Spring Planting Guide! Our drought-resistant turf guide complements Section 3.” Attach mobile-friendly screenshots of your resource.
Offer exclusives, like a downloadable plant-care checklist, to incentivize curators. Follow up via LinkedIn to strengthen connections. This strategy turns one mention into lasting relationships.
Use the Moving Man Method for Broken Links
Broken links create hidden opportunities for savvy landscapers to build valuable connections. When a website updates or rebrands, outdated links turn into 404 errors—perfect for a smart link building strategy. The Moving Man Method replaces these dead ends with fresh, relevant content.
Identifying Outdated Resources
Tools like Check My Links scan pages for broken URLs. Landscapers can target discontinued product pages, like old Toro mower models, or track rebrands using Crunchbase alerts.
Ahrefs’ Broken Backlinks report filters opportunities by domain authority. For example, Moz’s SEOMoz rebrand left thousands of broken links—now redirected to high-value pages.
Reaching Out to Site Owners
Personalized pitches work best. Try: “Noticed your irrigation guide links to defunct SmartSprinkler.com—our IoT system comparison might better serve readers.” Include Wayback Machine snapshots as proof.
- Offer link swaps for outdated local business directories.
- Target .edu resource pages with Semrush’s Link Building Tool.
Guest Posting on Industry-Related Blogs
Guest posting remains one of the most effective ways for landscapers to expand their reach. By contributing to reputable gardening or landscaping blogs, businesses can showcase expertise while earning valuable links. Backlinko’s success—50 guest posts in 12 months—proves this strategy’s potential.
Finding the Right Blogs
Target blogs with engaged audiences and high domain authority. Tools like PodcastGuests.com help identify podcasts and blogs in the landscaping niche. For example, search for “lawn care tips” and analyze top-ranking authors.
- Use reverse-image searches to find influencers’ bios and guest post guidelines.
- Prioritize relevance—a blog about the Paleo Diet won’t help a landscaping business.
- Check SERPs for blogs that rank for terms like “drought-resistant plants.”
Writing Compelling Guest Posts
High-quality content earns links and builds authority. Start with a personalized pitch: “Loved your Xeriscaping piece! My water-saving design case study could add value.” Include original research or custom illustrations to stand out.
- Use LSI keywords like “permeable pavers” for natural SEO integration.
- Add before/after images to demonstrate transformations visually.
- Negotiate bio links by offering exclusive content upgrades, like a downloadable checklist.
Guest posting isn’t just about links—it’s about building relationships. A well-placed article can drive traffic and establish long-term partnerships.
Build Backlinks Through Visual Content
Eye-catching graphics and videos help landscaping businesses stand out in crowded digital spaces. Visual content gets shared 40x more than text, making it a goldmine for earning links. Tools like Canva and Piktochart simplify design, even for beginners.
Creating Shareable Infographics
Infographics turn complex data into snackable visuals. Backlinko’s first infographic earned .edu links by simplifying SEO stats. Landscapers can replicate this with:
- Trend reports: “2025 Landscape Design Trends” with color palettes and plant stats.
- How-to guides: Step-by-step irrigation system diagrams using Piktochart.
- Before/after transformations: Time-lapse videos of lawn makeovers.
Promoting Visual Assets
Great visuals need visibility. BuzzSumo’s study of 912M posts shows vertical images perform best on Pinterest. Try these tactics:
- Submit to Visual.ly’s landscape category for niche exposure.
- Annotate YouTube videos with affiliate links to equipment.
- Repurpose infographics into SlideShare decks with CTA links.
Pair visuals with blog posts or social media captions to maximize shares. A single viral infographic can snowball into dozens of links.
Submit Testimonials for Products or Services
Landscape businesses can turn everyday partnerships into powerful link-building opportunities. One often overlooked strategy? Providing testimonials for trusted suppliers and software providers. These authentic reviews create win-win situations—boosting credibility while earning valuable links.
Here’s how landscapers can leverage testimonials effectively:
- Review industry equipment like John Deere mowers with before/after photos. Include a link to your website in the review signature.
- Testify for irrigation software companies such as Rain Bird or Hunter. Many vendors feature customer stories with dofollow links.
- Negotiate “Featured Customer” case studies where vendors link back to your site. A landscape software company might showcase your success story.
Digital platforms offer additional linking opportunities:
- Publish LinkedIn recommendations for suppliers with portfolio links in your profile.
- Create video testimonials for local nurseries—embed these on both your site and theirs.
- Monitor Google My Business for vendor tags. A tagged photo or review can drive local traffic.
Trade shows present unique co-branding chances. Partner with exhibitors to create shared content like “Top 5 Trade Show Innovations” with mutual links. Platforms like G2 and Capterra also allow detailed reviews with profile links.
This strategy builds relationships while strengthening your website’s authority. Each testimonial acts as a trust signal—for both your brand and the companies you endorse.
Reverse Engineer Competitors’ Backlinks
Smart landscapers know their competitors hold hidden link-building secrets. By analyzing rival websites, businesses can uncover high-value domains and replicate successful strategies. Tools like Semrush make this process efficient.
Tools for Competitor Analysis
Start with Semrush’s Backlink Analytics dashboard. It reveals which domains link to competitors like BrightView. Ahrefs’ Site Explorer also tracks historical data—useful for spotting trends.
- SpyFu: Uncover PPC ad content that earned links.
- Optmyzr: Identify gaps in competitors’ strategies.
- Google Search Console: Filter competitors’ top-linked pages.
Identifying Link Opportunities
Once you’ve mapped a competitor’s backlink profile, target their weak spots. For example:
- Guest on podcasts they’ve appeared on (e.g., Nerd Fitness).
- Join trade associations listed in their footer.
- Replicate local chamber of commerce links.
Broken resource pages are goldmines. Use Check My Links to find 404s, then pitch your content as replacements.
Monitor and Reclaim Unlinked Brand Mentions
Many landscaping businesses miss out on easy link opportunities hiding in plain sight. Tools like Mention.com track where your brand appears online—often without links back to your site.
Backlinko boosted traffic by 20% converting unlinked mentions into live links. Follow these steps to reclaim yours:
- Set up alerts: Use Google Alerts for phrases like “landscape company near me” to catch local shoutouts.
- Track social media: Brand24 scans platforms for untagged mentions. Reply politely with a link to your services.
- Leverage press features: Local newspapers often mention businesses without links. Email reporters to add one.
Yelp reviews and trade publications are goldmines. Respond to customer reviews with a link to your portfolio. For HARO citations, follow up with journalists to update articles.
Sponsorship logos at events? Ask organizers to link to your site. Audit existing partnerships—suppliers might forget to link back. These small fixes compound into big SEO wins.
Get More Customers with Our Backlink Strategy
At Landscape Marketing Solution, we know that backlinks are one of the most powerful ways to boost your website’s authority and search engine rankings. Our tailored backlink strategy focuses on acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks from trusted sources in the landscaping industry.
These backlinks not only improve your website’s credibility but also drive more organic traffic to your site. With more visibility, you can attract more customers, increase leads, and grow your business. Let us enhance your online presence and help you stand out from the competition with our proven backlink strategy!
