In today’s competitive digital landscape, having a website isn’t enough to ensure visibility and traffic—especially for local businesses in areas like Blackpool. While on-page SEO (such as content optimization and keyword targeting) gets much of the spotlight, off-page SEO is equally critical in helping businesses climb the search engine rankings. This is particularly true for businesses operating in Blackpool, a coastal town that thrives on tourism, local services, and a tight-knit community economy. So how exactly does off-page SEO impact search engine rankings for these businesses?
What is Off-Page SEO?
Off-page SEO refers to all the actions taken outside of your own website that influence your search engine rankings. These include:
Backlink building
Social media engagement
Online reviews
Local citations
Influencer outreach
Brand mentions
While on-page SEO tells search engines what your website is about, off-page SEO tells them how authoritative and trusted your site is. In the world of Google algorithms, authority = higher rankings.
Now let’s dig into how this affects businesses in Blackpool.
The Importance of Backlinks for Blackpool Businesses
Backlinks—also known as inbound links—are one of the strongest ranking signals in Google's algorithm. When other reputable websites link to your business site, search engines interpret that as a vote of confidence.
For Blackpool-based businesses, earning backlinks from local directories, local newspapers (like The Gazette), or travel blogs that cover seaside towns in the UK can be a game-changer. It not only increases your domain authority but also sends relevance signals to search engines about your geographical area.
Example:
A Blackpool hotel featured in a travel guide that links back to its website will likely see a ranking boost for keywords like "hotels in Blackpool" or "places to stay near Blackpool beach."
Pro Tip:
Engage with local bloggers or journalists who cover Blackpool events or attractions. Building relationships here can earn you organic backlinks that are highly relevant.
Local Citations and Directory Listings
Citations are mentions of your business on other websites—especially those that include your NAP (Name, Address, and Phone number). Listings on platforms like:
Yell.com
TripAdvisor
Yelp
Google Business Profile
Blackpool-specific directories
...can significantly impact your local search visibility. Google uses these to verify that your business is legitimate and located where you say it is.
Why it matters in Blackpool:
If you run a local business—say, a fish and chips shop, a tour company, or a retail store—appearing in accurate, consistent citations across the web will improve your visibility in Google Maps and local search results. For a town where many businesses depend on foot traffic, this can translate into real-world revenue.
Online Reviews: The Trust Factor
Review signals—especially on platforms like Google, Facebook, and TripAdvisor—play a key role in off-page SEO. Not only do reviews affect your local SEO rankings, but they also influence consumer behavior.
In tourist-heavy areas like Blackpool, potential customers often rely on reviews before choosing:
Hotels
Restaurants
Tour operators
Local services (e.g. plumbing, taxis, salons)
The more positive, genuine reviews your business accumulates, the more trustworthy you appear to both users and search engines.
Bonus:
Responding to reviews (positive or negative) also contributes to higher engagement and is a trust signal for Google’s local algorithm.
Social Media Signals: Amplifying Visibility
While Google has stated that social media activity doesn’t directly impact rankings, there’s a strong correlation between social media presence and SEO success.
In Blackpool, where tourism and entertainment thrive, a strong presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can:
Increase brand visibility
Drive referral traffic
Lead to content shares (which may attract backlinks)
Boost engagement with your local audience
Blackpool Example:
A local arcade posting a viral TikTok of a new game or attraction could catch the attention of travel bloggers or online publications, leading to backlinks and wider exposure.
Brand Mentions and Digital PR
Even if you don’t receive a backlink, brand mentions across reputable websites or news sources can help Google understand your authority in a given niche.
Digital PR campaigns that feature your business in articles—especially those focused on Blackpool tourism, UK travel, or regional guides—can boost visibility and indirectly help with rankings.
These campaigns may include:
Press releases
Collaborations with influencers
Local news coverage
Tip:
Use tools like Google Alerts or Ahrefs to monitor unlinked brand mentions, then reach out to the publisher and request a link back to your site.
User-Generated Content and Community Engagement
Encouraging your customers to share photos, testimonials, or blog posts about your business helps amplify your reach.
In Blackpool, user-generated content could look like:
A visitor sharing photos from your bed-and-breakfast on Instagram
A customer leaving a long-form review on TripAdvisor
A blogger writing a personal experience about your service
Not only does this contribute to brand visibility, but it also builds an ecosystem of natural backlinks and social proof, which are essential for off-page SEO.
Competitor Benchmarking and Regional Positioning
Blackpool’s business landscape is unique—there’s a mix of long-standing establishments and newer, tech-savvy startups. Understanding what your local competitors are doing in terms of off-page SEO can offer strategic insight.
Tools to use:
Ahrefs or SEMrush to spy on competitors’ backlink profiles
Google Maps to analyze reviews, star ratings, and engagement
Social media to see which platforms competitors are thriving on
Positioning your business within the regional context helps search engines categorize your business for local queries like:
"Best fish and chips Blackpool"
"Family attractions in Blackpool"
"Blackpool entertainment for couples"
Tourism SEO: Seasonal and Event-Based Linking
Blackpool sees a surge of activity during holidays, festivals, and summer months. Smart off-page SEO includes seasonal backlink campaigns.
For example:
Partner with bloggers to write “Top Things to Do in Blackpool This Summer”
List your business in “2025 Blackpool Easter Events” articles
Sponsor local events and get featured on their websites with backlinks
These event-based off-page SEO strategies not only drive relevant seasonal traffic but also increase the diversity of your backlink profile.
Conclusion: Off-Page SEO is a Local Game-Changer
For businesses in Blackpool, off-page SEO is more than a digital tactic—it’s a foundational element of long-term success. Whether you run a small shop on the promenade, manage a hotel, or offer professional services in the area, investing in off-page SEO can significantly improve your visibility, authority, and customer reach.
To summarise, here’s how off-page SEO impacts rankings:
Backlinks validate your authority
Citations ensure location consistency
Reviews build trust and influence decisions
Social media amplifies brand awareness
Mentions and PR boost credibility
User content creates organic reach
Seasonal strategies capitalize on regional trends
With a thoughtful off-page SEO strategy tailored to the unique dynamics of Blackpool, your business can rise above competitors and be front and center when locals or tourists search for what you offer.
