How Do I Get Backlinks for SEO as an Interior Designer, Home Stager or Home Organizer?
- Melanie Zaelich
- Sep 8
- 6 min read
If you’ve been diving into SEO for your business, you’ve probably run into the word backlinks. And for good reason: backlinks are one of the most powerful ways to get your website noticed by Google and therefore, by your dream clients.
And with the SEO changes in 2025, backlinks are even more important than they used to be.
But if you’re thinking, “Okay… but how do I actually get backlinks as an interior designer, home stager, or organizer?”— you found the right blog. I’m going give you strategies to start getting them right away.
What Are Backlinks?
First, a backlink is simply a link from another website to your website. Think of it like a vote of confidence. When a reputable site links to you, Google sees that as a sign you’re trustworthy and therefore worth showing higher in search results. It becomes part of your "online reputation."
For example:
If a local magazine links to your portfolio in an article about “Top Interior Designers in Dallas,” that’s a backlink.
If a popular home blog links to your tips on choosing the right rug size, that’s a backlink.
If you’re featured in a podcast and they link to your website in the show notes, yep—that’s a backlink too.
But are backlinks really that Important? Yes. Backlinks are one of the top three ranking factors Google uses to decide who shows up on page one. More high-quality backlinks = more visibility = more inquiries from dream clients.
Quality Over Quantity
Not all backlinks are created equal. You don’t want spammy links from random directories or shady websites. Google is too smart for that. Never pay for backlinks.
Instead, focus on quality backlinks, website that are:
Relevant to your industry (design, home, lifestyle, local community, small business)
Authoritative (Google trusts them, so borrowing their “trust” helps you)
Likely to send actual traffic your way (because their readers might hire you!)
A single link from a respected site like Houzz, Apartment Therapy, or your local newspaper can do way more for your SEO than 50 random links from unrelated sites.
The Designer’s Approach to Backlink Building
You don’t have to be a tech wizard to get backlinks. As a designer, you already have skills that translate beautifully into PR and link-building: storytelling, aesthetics, relationships, and creativity. Let’s turn those into strategies.
1. Leverage Local PR & Media Features
Local news outlets, lifestyle magazines, and neighborhood blogs are always looking for fresh stories. As a designer, stager or home organizer, I'm sure you’ve got endless stories, content ideas—before-and-after transformations or trends. Media outlets almost always link back to your website when they feature you.
Don't be shy, just do it:
Create a simple press release about a project, community involvement, or a unique design perspective.
Pitch to local lifestyle magazines (“10 Holiday Decorating Tips from Atlanta Designer”) or local newspapers.
Offer yourself as an expert source when reporters need quotes about housing, remodeling, or home design.
2. Collaborate with Other Professionals
Builders, real estate agents, photographers, furniture makers, and other home pros all have websites and social media. When you collaborate, they can showcase your work—and link to your site. Every partner has their own digital footprint. When they credit you, it’s another link pointing your way.
Team up with a realtor for a staging project and ask for a website credit.
Collaborate with a photographer and request a link when they blog about the shoot.
Write a guest post for a contractor’s site about “How Designers and Builders Work Together.”
3. Write Guest Blogs
Guest blogging is still alive and well when you do it with intention. Think about sites that your ideal client already reads. You'll get exposure to a new audience and a strong backlink.
Pitch guest posts to design-adjacent and your niche audience -specific blogs (parenting, local lifestyle, etc.).
Keep your articles educational and client-friendly: “5 Easy Ways to Update Your Living Room Without Remodeling.”
Include a short author bio with a backlink to your site.
4. Optimize Your Portfolio on Platforms
Platforms like Houzz, Pinterest, and business directories often allow you to link back to your main website. These aren’t always as powerful as media links, but they count. These are easy wins that strengthen your site’s link profile.
Claim and fully optimize your Houzz profile.
Add your website link to your Pinterest bio and individual pins.
Submit your business to high-quality local directories (chamber of commerce, BBB, neighborhood associations).
5. Create Link-Worthy Content
The best backlinks are earned. If you create something so helpful that other websites want to share it, links come naturally. Bloggers, journalists, and even other designers may link to your resource when they write about the same topic.
For example:
“The Ultimate Rug Size Guide” (visual charts other bloggers love to share)
“2025 Paint Color Cheat Sheet” (Pinterest gold!)
“Lighting Placement Guide for Every Room” (yes, people will link to this again and again)
Case studies with professional photography
6. Get on Podcasts and YouTube Channels
Podcasters and YouTubers are always looking for expert guests. As a designer, you bring a unique perspective their audience craves. Podcast links are often high-authority and long-lasting.
Just ask!
Reach out to podcasts about minimalism, home organization, design, or entrepreneurship.
Share your expertise in a conversational, helpful way.
Make sure they link to your website in the show notes.
7. Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out) or Qwoted
Journalists use these platforms to find expert quotes for their stories. You can sign up for free and get daily emails with opportunities. If your quote gets used, they’ll almost always link to your site.
Get started:
Sign up at helpareporter.com (HARO) or Qwoted.
Respond quickly when a reporter asks for design expertise.
Keep your answers short, punchy, and professional.
8. Repurpose Your Social Proof
When clients, vendors, or even influencers share your work online, it can be turned into backlinks. Natural, relationship-driven backlinks that build trust.
Encourage happy clients to blog about their project and include your link.
Ask influencers you collaborate with to credit your design work.
When suppliers feature your project photos on their websites, ask for a credit link.
Mistakes to Avoid When Building Backlinks
Buying backlinks — Google will know and it can hurt your rankings.
Chasing quantity — A handful of reputable links beats hundreds of low-value ones.
Ignoring local opportunities — Don’t underestimate your neighborhood newspaper or chamber of commerce. Local links matter a ton for local SEO.
Not following up — If you don’t ask for a link credit, people might just mention you without linking. A polite ask usually works!
How to Track Your Backlinks
Yes, you can even track the backlinks to your webiste. And it's a good idea to have an eye on this as spammy links can hurt your rankings. And it happens, spammy websites do link to legit websites.
Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz can help you see what backlinks you have (and what your competitors have too). Google Search Console will also show you a basic list under “Links.”
Final Thoughts
So, how do you get backlinks as a designer?
Pitch your local media.
Collaborate with other pros.
Guest blog where your clients hang out.
Create link-worthy resources.
Appear on podcasts.
Use HARO.
Repurpose your client and vendor relationships.
Every backlink you earn is like laying another paver in the walkway leading clients straight to your website. And the best part? These links keep working for you long after you’ve earned them.
Want to learn how backlinks fit into the bigger picture of your website SEO?
That’s exactly what I teach inside my SEO courses built specifically for interior designers, stagers, and organizers. They're easy to understand, follow and implement. Let's get you found by your dream clients!
SHOP SEO COURSES HERE:
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— Melanie (Mel) Zaelich is an award-winning interior designer, branding strategist, and SEO expert dedicated to helping fellow designers build wildly successful businesses—without the stress of full service design or marketing. Learn more about Melanie.