The Chamber Isn't the Only Game in Town
The Chamber of Commerce gets all the attention. But there are dozens of other business associations in your area, each with a website, a member directory, and link opportunities.
Where to Look
Industry associations. Your state or local chapter of your industry association. Home Builders Association, Restaurant Association, Bar Association — whatever applies to your field.
Small business groups. BNI chapters, SCORE mentoring groups, Small Business Development Centers, local entrepreneur groups.
Neighborhood business associations. Many neighborhoods have their own business associations with websites and directories.
Ethnic/cultural business associations. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Asian American Business Association, etc.
Women's business groups. National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) local chapters, Women's Business Enterprise National Council.
Young professionals groups. YPO, local young professionals associations.
The SEO Value
Each membership typically gets you:
wink
The cost? Usually $100-$500 per year per association. The SEO value far exceeds the investment. Each one builds your citation profile and earns a quality backlink.
Don't Join Everything
Be strategic. Join the associations most relevant to your industry and community. Active participation in 3-5 associations beats inactive memberships in 15. Moz's local SEO guide has smart frameworks for evaluating which associations are worth your time.
Stay Organized
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