By: Josh Fulfer
Estimated Read Time: 4 Minutes

You may have heard people talk about “backlinks” when discussing SEO or getting found on Google. But what exactly are backlinks—and why should you care if you run a concrete lifting company?

At the most basic level, a backlink is any link from another website that points to your website. It might be a listing, a mention in an article, or a partner site linking to you as a local provider. To Google and AI search tools, every one of those links is like a vote of trust. The more votes you get—especially from respected sources—the more your website stands out.

Backlinks are a major part of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and they’re becoming just as important for AIO—Artificial Intelligence Optimization. That means when people search with tools like Google’s AI Overviews or even ask something in ChatGPT, the businesses with strong backlink profiles are more likely to be featured in the answers. If your goal is to book more jobs without relying on ads, backlinks are one of the most valuable tools in your marketing arsenal.

You Probably Already Have a Few

Most contractors already have some backlinks without realizing it. If you have a Google Business Profile, Facebook page, or Yelp listing, those count. If you’ve been listed on your supplier’s website—like HMI or NCFI—or you’ve sponsored a local event that added your name to their website, those are backlinks too. Even your Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce listings can help.

But while these are a good start, they’re usually not enough to outrank your competition—especially in crowded markets.

Three Core Types of Backlinks

There are three main types of backlinks we focus on for concrete lifting businesses:

• Local backlinks: These come from community-based websites, such as your Chamber of Commerce, youth sports teams you sponsor, or local contractors who refer you on their site. They tell Google you’re a trusted part of your area.
• Directory backlinks: These include platforms like Google Business, Yelp, Angi, Thumbtack, Houzz, and the BBB. Even if you don’t use these for leads, they’re still strong signals that your business exists and is relevant.
• Industry or national backlinks: These come from manufacturers, training providers, or industry-related websites. If you trained with HMI or buy foam from a vendor like NCFI, you might be eligible for inclusion on their directories or success stories.

Why Backlinks Help You Book More Jobs

Search engines work by trying to figure out who’s most trustworthy. If your website and another site have similar content, Google will usually show the one with stronger backlinks.

Backlinks help your site appear higher in Google’s local search results. They also increase the odds you’ll be mentioned by AI tools that now pull from trusted sources across the web. That visibility turns into more calls, more form submissions, and more booked jobs.

Ways to Earn More Backlinks (Without Overcomplicating It)

Most business owners don’t have time to go chase backlinks, and that’s okay. But it’s still worth understanding where they come from and how to ask for them when the opportunity arises. A few simple ideas include:

• Joining your local Chamber of Commerce and making sure your website link is included in your profile
• Sponsoring a youth team or event and asking for a mention on their site
• Exchanging links with trusted contractors in other trades (roofers, landscapers, plumbers)
• Getting listed on the BBB, Angi, or other local directories

You don’t need 500 backlinks. You just need better ones than your competitors.

Already a Client? We’re Already On It.

If you’re one of our SEO clients, backlink-building is baked into your monthly plan. We focus on quality over quantity—getting your business listed in the right places, with the right signals, to help you dominate your local market.

And if you’re not yet a client, but you’re curious how your backlink profile stacks up, send us a message. We can quickly tell you where you stand and what’s missing.

Because in today’s search-driven world, backlinks aren’t optional—they’re essential. They’re one of the clearest differences between concrete lifting companies that get found… and those that don’t.