SEO For Dog Walking: How To Dominate Local Search And Book More Clients

You’re crushing it as a dog walker. Your clients’ pups adore you, you’ve got a waiting list of referrals, and you genuinely love what you do. But here’s the frustrating part: when someone in your neighborhood searches “dog walker near me” at 10 PM because they just got called into an early meeting, your name doesn’t show up. Instead, they’re booking with someone who started last month and honestly doesn’t have half your experience.

This happens every single day. Talented dog walkers lose potential clients to competitors who simply understand one thing: being great at your job and being visible online are two completely different skills.

The pet owners searching for dog walking services right now aren’t asking their neighbors for recommendations—they’re pulling out their phones and typing into Google. If you’re not showing up in those search results, you’re invisible to about 80% of potential customers who could become your most loyal clients.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to become a tech wizard or hire an expensive marketing agency to fix this. SEO for dog walking follows a clear, step-by-step process that any business owner can learn and implement. We’re talking about practical tactics that work specifically for local service businesses like yours—not generic advice that might work for a national e-commerce store but does nothing for a dog walker serving three neighborhoods.

This guide walks you through exactly how to dominate local search results for dog walking services in your area. Each step builds on the previous one, creating compound results that transform your online visibility over the next 3-6 months. You’ll learn how to optimize your Google Business Profile so it actually drives bookings, identify the exact keywords your ideal clients are searching for, create content that ranks high and converts visitors into customers, and build the trust signals that make both Google and pet owners choose you first.

By the time you finish implementing these strategies, you’ll be the dog walker who shows up first when stressed pet owners need help. Your phone will ring with qualified leads who are ready to book, not tire-kickers comparing prices. And you’ll build a sustainable marketing system that keeps working even when you’re out walking dogs instead of sitting at your computer.

Let’s walk through how to make this happen, step by step.

Essential Foundation Elements

Before you start optimizing anything, you need five specific elements in place. Think of these as the foundation of a house—without them, everything else you build will eventually crack and crumble. Most dog walkers skip this step because they’re eager to jump into the “exciting” tactics, then wonder why nothing works.

First, you need a Google Business Profile that’s fully claimed and verified. Not just created—actually verified with the postcard Google mails to your business address. This single asset controls about 60% of your local search visibility. Without it, you’re essentially invisible in the “map pack” results that appear at the top of local searches.

Second, you need a website with its own domain name. A Facebook page or Instagram profile doesn’t count. Google heavily favors businesses with legitimate websites when determining search rankings. Your site doesn’t need to be fancy—a simple five-page website with clear information about your services, service areas, pricing, and contact details will work perfectly. Just make sure it loads quickly on mobile devices, since that’s where most pet owners will find you.

Third, you need consistent business information across the internet. Your business name, address, and phone number (called NAP in SEO terminology) must match exactly everywhere it appears online. If your Google Business Profile says “Happy Paws Dog Walking” but your website says “Happy Paws Dog Walking Services,” Google gets confused about whether these are the same business. This inconsistency directly hurts your rankings.

Fourth, you need at least three online reviews from real clients. These don’t all need to be on Google (though that helps), but you need some social proof before you start driving traffic to your profiles. Pet owners are extremely cautious about who they trust with their dogs. Seeing that other people have used and recommended your services makes them exponentially more likely to contact you.

Fifth, you need a way to track phone calls and form submissions from your website. This could be as simple as a Google Voice number that forwards to your cell phone, or a contact form that sends emails to your inbox. You need to know which marketing efforts are actually generating inquiries so you can double down on what works and stop wasting time on what doesn’t.

Most dog walkers already have some of these elements but haven’t optimized them properly. Maybe you claimed your Google Business Profile two years ago but never added photos or service details. Perhaps you have a website but it’s still using the generic template text from when you first set it up. Before moving forward, audit each of these five elements and make sure they’re not just present but actually working for you.

The good news? You can get all five elements properly set up in a single weekend. The even better news? Once they’re in place, they keep working for you 24/7 without requiring constant attention. This foundation makes every other SEO tactic you implement at least three times more effective.

Keyword Research for Dog Walking Services

Here’s what most dog walkers get wrong about keywords: they optimize for terms they think sound professional instead of terms their actual customers are typing into Google at 11 PM when they need help. The difference between these two approaches is the difference between getting three inquiries per month and getting three inquiries per day.

Start with the obvious terms, but don’t stop there. Yes, “dog walker [your city]” and “dog walking services near me” are important. But your ideal clients are also searching for dozens of more specific phrases that your competitors aren’t targeting. These long-tail keywords have less competition and often convert better because they match exactly what someone needs.

Think about the specific situations that make someone search for a dog walker. They’re searching “dog walker for lunch break” because they just started a new job with a longer commute. They’re typing “emergency dog walker” at midnight because their regular sitter just canceled. They’re looking for “dog walker for senior dogs” because their 12-year-old lab needs gentler care than the high-energy group walks most services offer.

Each of these specific searches represents a potential client with a specific need and often a higher willingness to pay for exactly the right solution. When you create content targeting these specific phrases, you’re not just getting more traffic—you’re getting better traffic from people who are more likely to become long-term clients.

Use Google’s autocomplete feature to discover what people in your area are actually searching for. Start typing “dog walker” into Google and watch what suggestions appear. Then try “dog walking,” “need a dog walker,” “looking for dog walker,” and similar variations. Each autocomplete suggestion represents a real search phrase that real people in your area are using right now.

Check the “People also ask” section that appears in search results for your main keywords. These questions reveal exactly what concerns and objections your potential clients have. If you see “How much does a dog walker cost?” or “Are dog walkers insured?” appearing frequently, those are topics you need to address prominently on your website.

Look at the bottom of Google search results for the “Related searches” section. These are semantically related terms that Google knows people often search for together. If someone searches for “dog walker” and then later searches for “pet sitter,” Google learns these services are related. You can use this information to expand your service offerings or at least create content that addresses both needs.

Don’t ignore neighborhood-specific keywords. “Dog walker in [specific neighborhood]” often has less competition than city-wide terms and attracts clients who specifically want someone local. If you serve multiple neighborhoods, create separate pages or blog posts optimized for each area. This hyper-local approach works well for service businesses like auto detailing and other location-dependent services.

Pay attention to seasonal variations in search volume. “Dog walker for vacation” spikes in the summer and around major holidays. “Dog walker for puppies” increases in spring when people bring home new pets. Understanding these patterns helps you create timely content and adjust your advertising budget to match when demand is highest.

Create a spreadsheet with three columns: the keyword phrase, the monthly search volume (you can estimate this using Google Keyword Planner or similar tools), and the relevance to your specific services. Focus on keywords with at least 10-50 monthly searches in your area that directly relate to services you actually offer. Ignore high-volume generic terms like “dogs” or “pets” that won’t bring you qualified leads.

Google Business Profile Optimization

Your Google Business Profile is the single most powerful SEO asset you have as a dog walker. It controls your visibility in the map pack, influences your rankings in regular search results, and often serves as the first impression potential clients have of your business. Yet most dog walkers set up their profile once and never touch it again.

Start with your business categories. Your primary category should be “Dog Walker” (not “Pet Sitter” or “Pet Care Service” unless that’s actually your main service). Google uses this primary category as a major ranking factor for relevant searches. You can add secondary categories like “Pet Sitter” or “Pet Boarding Service” if you offer those services, but your primary category needs to match your main business focus.

Your business description has a 750-character limit, and every single character matters. Don’t waste space on generic fluff like “We love dogs!” Instead, use this space to include your target keywords naturally while explaining exactly what makes your service different. Mention your service areas, your experience, any special certifications, and the specific types of dogs or situations you specialize in.

Add every service you offer as a separate line item in the Services section. Don’t just list “Dog Walking”—break it down into “30-Minute Dog Walk,” “60-Minute Dog Walk,” “Puppy Visits,” “Senior Dog Care,” “Group Walks,” and any other specific services you provide. Each service line is another opportunity to include relevant keywords and show up for specific searches.

Photos are absolutely critical. Profiles with photos get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks through to their websites compared to profiles without photos. But here’s what most dog walkers miss: Google prioritizes recent photos over old ones. Upload at least 3-5 new photos every month showing you actually working with dogs, not just stock photos of cute puppies.

Include photos of yourself with dogs (with owner permission), photos of the routes you walk, photos of your vehicle if you offer pickup and drop-off, and photos of any special equipment you use. Pet owners want to see that you’re a real person who actually walks dogs, not just a business trying to look professional with generic imagery.

The Q&A section is an underutilized goldmine. Don’t wait for potential clients to ask questions—write your own questions and answers. Ask yourself common questions like “Do you offer weekend walks?” or “What happens if my dog doesn’t get along with other dogs?” and provide detailed answers. These Q&As appear in your profile and in search results, giving you more opportunities to include relevant keywords and address common concerns.

Posts are another feature most dog walkers ignore. Google Business Profile posts work like mini blog posts that appear directly in your profile. Create posts about special offers, seasonal tips for pet owners, changes to your schedule, or just cute stories about dogs you’ve walked (with permission). These posts signal to Google that your business is active and engaged, which positively influences your rankings.

Your business hours need to be accurate and comprehensive. If you offer services seven days a week, make sure your profile reflects that. If you have different hours for different services (like emergency visits available 24/7 but regular walks only during business hours), use the “More hours” feature to specify these details. Accurate hours prevent frustrated potential clients from trying to contact you when you’re unavailable.

Enable messaging if you can respond quickly. The messaging feature allows potential clients to text you directly from your Google Business Profile. If you enable this feature, you need to respond within a few hours (ideally within an hour) or Google will penalize your profile for poor responsiveness. Only enable messaging if you can actually maintain quick response times.

Website Content Strategy

Your website needs to do two things simultaneously: rank well in search results and convert visitors into clients. Most dog walking websites do neither because they’re either optimized for search engines with robotic, keyword-stuffed content that turns off real readers, or they’re beautifully designed with engaging copy that Google can’t understand or rank.

Start with your homepage. This page should target your most important keyword—typically “dog walker [your city]” or “dog walking services [your city].” But don’t just stuff this phrase into every paragraph. Use it naturally in your main headline, in one subheading, in the first paragraph, and once or twice in the body content. That’s enough for Google to understand what your page is about without making it sound like a robot wrote it.

Your homepage needs to immediately answer three questions: What do you do? Where do you do it? Why should someone choose you? Most dog walking websites bury this information under vague statements about loving dogs or being passionate about pets. Lead with the practical information that someone searching at 10 PM actually needs to know.

Create separate service pages for each distinct service you offer. Don’t lump everything together on a single “Services” page. If you offer 30-minute walks, 60-minute walks, puppy visits, senior dog care, and group walks, each of these should have its own dedicated page with at least 500-800 words of content explaining exactly what that service includes, who it’s for, how it works, and what it costs.

These individual service pages accomplish two critical goals. First, they give you more opportunities to rank for specific long-tail keywords. Your “Puppy Visit Services” page can rank for searches like “puppy walker [your city]” or “dog walker for young puppies” that your homepage might not capture. Second, they provide the detailed information that converts browsers into buyers. Someone who needs puppy care wants to know that you understand the specific needs of young dogs, not just that you “love all dogs.”

Add location pages if you serve multiple neighborhoods or cities. Each location page should include the area name in the title, heading, and throughout the content. Describe the specific neighborhoods you serve in that area, mention local landmarks or parks where you walk dogs, and include any location-specific information that makes the page genuinely useful for people in that area. This approach works well for many local service businesses, similar to how appliance repair SEO strategies target specific service areas.

Don’t create thin location pages with just a few sentences and the city name swapped out. Google has gotten very good at detecting this tactic and will penalize your entire site for it. Each location page needs substantial unique content—at least 600-800 words that actually provide value to someone in that specific area.

Start a blog and publish at least one article per month. These blog posts should target the question-based and long-tail keywords you identified during your keyword research. Write articles like “How to Prepare Your Puppy for Their First Dog Walker Visit” or “What to Look for When Hiring a Dog Walker in [Your City]” or “5 Signs Your Senior Dog Needs More Frequent Walks.”

Each blog post serves multiple purposes. It targets specific keywords that your service pages don’t cover. It demonstrates your expertise and builds trust with potential clients. It gives you content to share on social media and in email newsletters. And it signals to Google that your website is active and regularly updated, which positively influences your rankings across your entire site.

Include clear calls-to-action on every page. Don’t make potential clients hunt for your phone number or contact form. Include your phone number in the header of every page, add a prominent “Book Now” or “Get a Quote” button, and end each page with a specific next step. The easier you make it for someone to contact you, the more inquiries you’ll get from the traffic you’re working so hard to generate.

Add schema markup to your website. This is structured data that helps Google understand exactly what your business does, where you’re located, what services you offer, and what your hours are. Most website builders and WordPress themes include options to add this markup without needing to code it yourself. This technical SEO element helps your website appear in rich results and improves your chances of showing up in the map pack.

Local Citation Building

Citations are online mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites. Google uses these citations as trust signals—the more consistent mentions of your business it finds across the web, the more confident it becomes that your business is legitimate and deserves to rank well in local search results.

Start with the major citation sources that matter most for local SEO. Create or claim your business profiles on Yelp, Facebook, Nextdoor, Thumbtack, Rover, Wag, and any other platforms where pet owners in your area might search for dog walkers. Each of these profiles needs to have exactly the same business name, address, and phone number that appears on your website and Google Business Profile.

This consistency is absolutely critical. If your Google Business Profile says “Happy Paws Dog Walking” but your Yelp profile says “Happy Paws Dog Walking Services” and your Facebook page says “Happy Paws,” Google sees these as potentially three different businesses. This inconsistency dilutes the SEO value of each citation and can actually hurt your rankings instead of helping them.

Don’t just create these profiles and abandon them. Fill out every field completely. Add photos, write detailed descriptions, list all your services, specify your service areas, and include your business hours. The more complete your profiles are, the more valuable they are both for SEO and for actually converting potential clients who find you on these platforms.

Look for industry-specific directories. For dog walkers, this includes pet service directories, local business directories, and community websites. Search for “dog walker directory” or “pet service directory [your city]” to find relevant sites where you can list your business. Not all of these will be worth your time—focus on directories that are actually used by pet owners in your area, not spammy link farms that exist only for SEO purposes.

Get listed in your local chamber of commerce directory if you’re a member, or join if membership makes sense for your business. Chamber of commerce citations carry extra weight because they verify that you’re a legitimate local business. The same applies to Better Business Bureau listings and any professional associations related to pet care services.

Monitor your citations regularly to catch and fix any inconsistencies. Use tools like Moz Local, BrightLocal, or even just Google searches for your business name to find where your business is listed online. If you find listings with incorrect information, claim them and update them. If you find duplicate listings (like two separate Yelp pages for your business), work to get the duplicates removed.

Don’t buy bulk citation services that promise to submit your business to hundreds of directories overnight. Most of these directories are low-quality sites that provide little to no SEO value and might even hurt your rankings if Google sees them as spammy. Focus on quality over quantity—20 high-quality, relevant citations are worth more than 200 random directory listings.

As you build citations, keep a spreadsheet tracking where you’ve listed your business, what username and password you used, and when you last updated each profile. This organization prevents you from creating duplicate listings by accident and makes it easier to update your information if you change your phone number or expand your service area. This systematic approach to local presence is similar to strategies used in auto body shop SEO and other location-based services.

Review Generation System

Reviews are the currency of local SEO for service businesses. Google heavily weights review quantity, review quality, review recency, and review response rate when determining local search rankings. A dog walker with 50 recent reviews will almost always outrank a competitor with 5 old reviews, even if the competitor has better SEO in other areas.

But here’s the challenge: most satisfied clients won’t leave reviews unless you ask them. And most dog walkers either don’t ask at all, or they ask in ways that don’t actually generate reviews. You need a systematic approach that makes leaving a review easy and natural for your clients.

The best time to ask for a review is right after you’ve delivered exceptional service or solved a problem. If a client texts you to say how happy they are with your service, that’s the moment to ask for a review. If you went above and beyond by sending photos during a walk or giving their anxious dog extra attention, ask for a review that same day while the positive experience is fresh in their mind.

Make the process as easy as possible. Don’t just say “Please leave us a review.” Send a direct link to your Google Business Profile review page. You can find this link by opening your Google Business Profile, clicking on “Get more reviews,” and copying the short URL that Google provides. Save this link in your phone so you can quickly text it to clients when asking for reviews.

Personalize your review requests. A generic message like “We’d appreciate a review!” gets ignored. Instead, reference something specific about their dog or your service: “I’m so glad Max is getting more comfortable with his walks! If you’re happy with how things are going, I’d really appreciate if you could share your experience in a Google review. Here’s a direct link: [URL]”

Don’t ask for reviews too frequently from the same client. Once every 6-12 months is reasonable if you’re providing ongoing service. More frequent requests feel pushy and might actually annoy clients who have already left you a review. Keep track of who you’ve asked and when so you don’t accidentally ask the same person multiple times.

Respond to every single review, positive or negative. Thank reviewers for positive reviews and address any concerns raised in negative reviews professionally and constructively. Google tracks your response rate and response time, and businesses that consistently respond to reviews get a rankings boost. Your responses also show potential clients that you care about feedback and take your service seriously.

When responding to positive reviews, be specific rather than generic. Don’t just say “Thanks for the review!” Reference something specific they mentioned: “Thanks so much, Sarah! I’m glad Bella is enjoying her walks through the park. She’s such a sweet dog and always brightens my day.” This personalization makes your business feel more authentic and trustworthy to people reading your reviews.

For negative reviews, never get defensive or argumentative. Acknowledge the client’s concern, apologize for their negative experience (even if you don’t think you did anything wrong), and offer to make it right. Then take the conversation offline: “I’m sorry to hear about this experience. I’d like to understand what happened and see how I can make this right. Could you please call me at [phone number] so we can discuss this further?”

Don’t incentivize reviews with discounts or free services. This violates Google’s review policies and can get your entire Google Business Profile suspended if you’re caught. It also tends to generate low-quality reviews from people who are motivated by the incentive rather than genuine satisfaction with your service. Focus on earning reviews through excellent service, not buying them with bribes.

Diversify your review platforms. While Google reviews are most important for SEO, also encourage some clients to leave reviews on Facebook, Yelp, or industry-specific platforms like Rover if you’re listed there. Having reviews across multiple platforms makes your business look more established and trustworthy. Just make sure you’re not violating any platform’s policies about how you can request reviews.

Handling Negative Reviews

Negative reviews will happen eventually, no matter how good your service is. A dog might not get along with your walking style, a client might have unrealistic expectations, or you might genuinely make a mistake. How you handle these negative reviews matters more for your SEO and your reputation than the negative review itself.

Respond quickly to negative reviews—ideally within 24 hours. A fast response shows that you monitor your reviews and take feedback seriously. It also prevents the negative review from sitting there unanswered while potential clients read it and wonder why you haven’t addressed the issue.

Start your response by acknowledging the client’s feelings and experience. Don’t immediately jump to defending yourself or explaining why they’re wrong. “I’m sorry you had this experience” goes a long way toward defusing tension, even if you don’t agree with their characterization of what happened.

Provide your perspective on what happened, but keep it brief and factual. Don’t write a novel defending yourself. A sentence or two explaining your side of the story is enough. Then immediately pivot to offering a solution: “I’d like to discuss this with you directly to see how we can resolve this. Please call me at [phone number] at your convenience.”

Never argue with a reviewer publicly. Even if they’re completely wrong or being unreasonable, arguing makes you look unprofessional to everyone else reading the reviews. Take the high road, offer to resolve the issue privately, and then move on. Most potential clients reading reviews understand that some negative reviews are from unreasonable people and will judge you based on how you respond, not on the complaint itself.

If a negative review is fake or violates Google’s review policies (contains profanity, is clearly from a competitor, or is about a business that isn’t yours), flag it for removal. Go to the review, click the three dots, and select “Flag as inappropriate.” Google doesn’t remove many reviews, but they will remove ones that clearly violate their policies.

Use negative reviews as learning opportunities. If multiple reviews mention the same issue (like communication problems or scheduling difficulties), that’s a signal that you need to improve that aspect of your service. Address the underlying issue, then mention in future review responses how you’ve made changes based on customer feedback.

Content Marketing for Dog Walkers

Content marketing means creating valuable content that attracts potential clients, demonstrates your expertise, and improves your search rankings—all without directly selling your services. For dog walkers, this typically means blog posts, videos, social media content, and email newsletters that pet owners actually want to consume.

Your blog should focus on answering the questions your potential clients are asking. Go back to your keyword research and look at all those question-based searches: “How often should I walk my dog?” “What should I look for in a dog walker?” “How do I know if my dog needs more exercise?” Each of these questions is a potential blog post that can rank in search results and attract people who are in the early stages of considering hiring a dog walker.

Write comprehensive, detailed posts that actually answer the question fully. A 300-word blog post that barely scratches the surface won’t rank well and won’t build trust with readers. Aim for 1,500-2,500 words for your main blog posts, covering the topic thoroughly with specific examples, actionable advice, and your professional insights based on your experience walking dogs.

Include personal stories and examples from your work (with client permission). Generic advice about dog walking could come from anyone. Stories about specific dogs you’ve worked with, challenges you’ve solved, or funny moments from your walks make your content unique and memorable. These stories also make your content more engaging, which increases the time people spend on your site—a factor Google considers when ranking pages.

Use your blog posts to naturally showcase your expertise and services. If you’re writing about “Signs Your Senior Dog Needs More Frequent Walks,” you can mention that you offer specialized senior dog care services. If you’re writing about “How to Help Your Anxious Dog Feel Comfortable with a Dog Walker,” you can reference your gradual introduction process for nervous dogs. These mentions aren’t pushy sales pitches—they’re relevant examples that demonstrate your expertise while subtly promoting your services.

Create location-specific content that targets your service areas. Write posts like “Best Dog Walking Routes in [Neighborhood Name]” or “Dog-Friendly Parks in [Your City]: A Dog Walker’s Guide.” These posts serve multiple purposes: they target location-specific keywords, they provide genuine value to pet owners in your area, and they demonstrate your local knowledge and expertise.

Repurpose your blog content into other formats. Turn a blog post into a series of social media posts, a short video, or an email newsletter. This maximizes the value you get from each piece of content you create and helps you maintain a consistent presence across multiple platforms without having to create entirely new content for each one.

Use images and videos in your blog posts. Posts with images get 94% more views than posts without images. Include photos of dogs you’ve walked (with permission), screenshots of relevant information, or simple graphics that illustrate your points. Videos are even better—a short video of you explaining a concept or showing a walking technique can dramatically increase engagement and time on page.

Optimize each blog post for SEO. Include your target keyword in the title, in at least one subheading, in the first paragraph, and naturally throughout the content. Add alt text to your images describing what they show. Use internal links to connect your blog posts to your service pages and other relevant content on your site. These technical optimizations help your content rank better while still remaining readable and valuable for humans.

Promote your content beyond just publishing it on your website. Share new blog posts on your social media profiles, include them in your email newsletters, and mention them in conversations with clients when relevant. The more people who read and engage with your content, the more valuable Google considers it, which improves your rankings over time. This content distribution strategy is essential for service businesses, similar to how acupuncture SEO relies on consistent content promotion.

Link Building Strategies

Links from other websites to your website (called backlinks) are one of the most important ranking factors in Google’s algorithm. When reputable websites link to your site, it signals to Google that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. For local service businesses like dog walking, you don’t need hundreds of backlinks—you need a handful of high-quality, relevant links from local sources.

Start with the easiest wins: local business directories and community websites. Get your business listed on your city’s official website if they have a business directory. Look for neighborhood association websites, community blogs, and local event calendars where you can list your business or contribute content. These local links are particularly valuable because they’re relevant to your geographic area.

Partner with complementary local businesses. Reach out to veterinarians, pet groomers, pet supply stores, and pet trainers in your area. Offer to refer clients to them in exchange for them referring clients to you. Many of these businesses have websites with resource pages or partner pages where they can link to your site. These partnerships provide both SEO value through backlinks and direct referral business.

Write guest posts for local blogs and websites. Look for community blogs, local news sites, or pet-related blogs that accept guest contributions. Pitch them article ideas that would be valuable for their audience, like “A Dog Walker’s Guide to [Your City’s] Best Pet-Friendly Spots” or “What Local Pet Owners Should Know About Winter Dog Walking Safety.” Include a link back to your website in your author bio or naturally within the content where relevant.

Get involved in local events and sponsorships. Sponsor a local dog park cleanup day, participate in a pet adoption event, or donate to a local animal shelter. Many of these organizations will list sponsors on their websites with links. Even small sponsorships (like donating $50 to a local animal rescue) can earn you a valuable backlink from a relevant local organization.

Create linkable assets on your website. These are pieces of content that are so valuable or unique that other websites naturally want to link to them. For a dog walker, this could be a comprehensive guide to dog-friendly locations in your city, a map of the best dog walking routes, or a detailed resource about a specific aspect of dog care. Promote these resources to local pet bloggers, veterinarians, and community websites who might find them useful enough to link to.

Leverage your existing relationships. If you have clients who own businesses with websites, ask if they’d be willing to mention your services on their site with a link. If you’ve been featured in local media or won any awards, make sure those mentions include links to your website. If you’re a member of professional organizations, ensure your member profile includes a link to your site.

Monitor your competitors’ backlinks to find opportunities. Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or even free tools like Ubersuggest to see where your competitors are getting links from. If a local directory or website is linking to three of your competitors but not to you, that’s a clear opportunity to reach out and get your business listed there as well.

Avoid black-hat link building tactics. Don’t buy links, don’t participate in link exchange schemes, and don’t use automated tools to generate hundreds of low-quality links. These tactics might provide short-term gains but will eventually get your site penalized by Google, potentially destroying all your SEO progress. Focus on earning legitimate links through quality content and genuine relationships.

Track your backlinks over time. Use Google Search Console to monitor which sites are linking to you and which pages on your site are receiving the most links. This information helps you understand what’s working and where you should focus your link

Learn more about our services