8 Ways to Get High-Quality Backlinks from Other Hawaii Businesses
In Hawaii, business is built on relationships. We know our neighbors, we support local, and we understand the power of community. This same principle of kuleana (responsibility) and connection applies directly to one of the most powerful factors in digital marketing: backlinks.
Getting a high-quality backlink from another respected local business is like a digital recommendation. It tells search engines like Google that your website is trustworthy and authoritative, significantly boosting your search engine rankings in Hawaii.
But how do you earn these valuable endorsements? Forget spammy tactics. Here are eight practical, relationship-focused strategies to get high-quality backlinks from other businesses right here in the islands.
1. Sponsor a Local Charity or Community Event
Sponsoring a local event, from a 5K charity run in Kapiolani Park to a community festival in Hilo, is a fantastic way to earn a powerful backlink. Most non-profits and event organizers list their sponsors on their website with a link back to the sponsor’s homepage.
Why it works: These are often high-authority, trusted websites (like .org domains), and the link signals positive community involvement to search engines.
How to do it: Identify local charities or events that align with your brand's values. Reach out to their organizers and inquire about sponsorship packages, ensuring that a website backlink is part of the benefits.
2. Co-host a Webinar or Workshop
Partner with a non-competing but complementary local business to host a free webinar or workshop. For example, a hotel in Waikiki could partner with a local tour operator to host a webinar on "Planning the Perfect Oahu Vacation."
Why it works: Both businesses will promote the event on their websites and social media, linking to a shared registration page and to each other as partners. It’s a natural reason to exchange links and share audiences.
How to do it: Brainstorm businesses that serve a similar audience. A financial planner could partner with a real estate agent; a fitness studio could partner with a healthy café. Pitch them a topic that provides genuine value to both of your customer bases.
3. Get Featured on a Popular Local Blog or News Site
Hawaii has a vibrant community of local bloggers, foodies, and news outlets that love to feature local businesses. A feature on a site like Honolulu Magazine or Hawaii Business Magazine can result in a highly valuable backlink.
Why it works: These sites have high domain authority and a large, engaged local readership. A link from one of them is a major endorsement for your Hawaii search engine optimization efforts.
How to do it: Create a unique story or angle. Did you launch an innovative new product? Do you have a compelling origin story? Pitch your story directly to the writers or editors of these publications. Make their job easy by providing them with a clear, interesting narrative and high-quality photos.
Images from Honolulu Magazine and Hawaii Business Magazine4. Create and Share a Valuable Local Resource
Develop a piece of content that is uniquely useful to other businesses or residents in Hawaii. This could be an annual report on local consumer trends, a comprehensive guide to navigating a complex local regulation, or a map of the best surfing spots on each island.
Why it works: Creating high-quality, useful content is a primary way to attract links naturally. Other businesses will link to your resource as a helpful reference for their own audience.
How to do it: Think about what questions your customers or fellow business owners frequently ask. Create a definitive blog post, infographic, or downloadable guide that answers that question better than anyone else. Then, share it with other businesses you think would find it useful.
C/O https://www.mauidivers.com/5. Offer a Kamaʻāina Discount
A Kamaʻāina discount is a staple of doing business in Hawaii. You can leverage this local tradition for backlink opportunities by getting your business listed on Kamaʻāina discount directories.
Why it works: These directory websites compile lists of businesses offering local discounts, and they almost always include a link back to the business's website.
How to do it: Research popular local directories and news articles that list Kamaʻāina deals (a quick Google search for "Kamaaina discounts list Hawaii" will reveal many). Reach out to the site administrators and ask for your business to be included.
6. Host a Local Business Networking Event
Position your business as a community hub by hosting a networking event, an industry roundtable, or a "pau hana" for professionals in your area.
Why it works: When you create an event, you create a natural reason for others to link to you. Your guest speakers, co-sponsors, and even attendees may link to your event page from their own websites or share it on social media.
How to do it: Use a platform like Eventbrite or create a dedicated page on your website for the event. Invite influential local business leaders to speak and encourage them to share the event link with their network.
7. Provide a Testimonial for a Local Partner
Do you use a product or service from another local business that you absolutely love? Offer to write them a glowing testimonial for their website.
Why it works: Most businesses are happy to feature positive testimonials. In exchange for your kind words, they will often include your name, title, and a link back to your website. It's a simple, powerful win-win.
How to do it: Make a list of your local vendors, suppliers, and partners. Reach out to the ones you have a great relationship with and offer a testimonial.
8. Bonus: Build a Linkable Asset
A linkable asset is a resource so valuable that other websites naturally want to link to it. You can build this directly into your content by creating a curated list of top-tier local resources that are helpful to your audience.
Why it works: This tactic instantly increases your article's value and provides a powerful, self-serving reason for other organizations to share and link back to your post.
How to do it: Create a list of high-quality, non-competing local resources. For example, a B2B company could create a list titled "A Curated List of Hawaii's Top Business Resources," including links to organizations like:
Building Links Takes Time. Building a Strategy Takes an Expert.
As you can see, earning high-quality local backlinks is about genuine community engagement, not technical tricks. While these eight methods are highly effective, they require consistent outreach, relationship-building, and strategic planning—a significant investment of time and resources.
A powerful backlink profile is a cornerstone of any successful SEO Hawaii strategy, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. To truly dominate search rankings, you need a comprehensive approach that integrates on-page optimization, technical SEO, and a deep understanding of the local market.
At JB Brands, this is what we do. Our SEO, GEO & Organic Growth Marketing service is designed to build your website's authority and drive sustainable, long-term growth. We handle the complex and time-consuming work of strategy and outreach so you can focus on running your business.
Ready to build a powerful presence in local search? Let's talk.
