You know what’s funny? Most business owners think awards are just for show – something to hang on the wall and maybe mention in a newsletter. But here’s the thing: those shiny plaques and certificates can actually be SEO goldmines, especially here in Colorado Springs where local competition is fierce.
I’ve been working in Colorado Springs local SEO for years, and Ican’t tell you how many times I’ve seen businesses miss out on this opportunity. They’ll spend thousands on fancy websites and Google Ads, but completely ignore the SEO power sitting right there in their trophy case.
Let me share what I’ve learned about turning those awards into real search engine visibility that actually brings customers through your door.
Why Awards Matter More Than You Think for SEO
Here’s the secret sauce: Google loves seeing who’s a big deal. And what screams “big deal” louder than industry recognition? Take for example, when Elite SEO Consulting snagged a finalist spot in the 2025 U.S. Search Awards for their awesome work with Wam Bam Handyman. That wasn’t just a pat on the back – it helped put Colorado Springs businesses on the national map and brought in some seriously valuable backlinks, which are like gold for boosting search rankings.
Think about it this way. When you win an award, you’re not just getting recognition. You’re getting:
- High-quality backlinks from award organizations
- Press coverage and media mentions
- Social proof that builds trust
- Content opportunities for your website
- Local citation opportunities
The key is knowing how to use these benefits strategically. It’s not enough to just win – you need to milk every drop of SEO value from that recognition.
The Real SEO Benefits of Local Business Awards
Backlinks That Actually Move the Needle
When you win a local business award, you’re typically getting a backlink from the awarding organization’s website. But here’s where most businesses drop the ball – they don’t follow up to maximize these opportunities.
I’ve seen businesses get mentioned on the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce website or local business journals and completely ignore the SEO potential. These aren’t just any backlinks – they’re from locally relevant, authoritative sources that Google absolutely loves for local rankings.
The trick is to make sure these organizations link to the right pages on your site. Don’t just accept a link to your homepage. Guide them to link to your service pages or location-specific content that needs the ranking boost.
Press Coverage and Media Mentions
Awards often come with press coverage, and that’s where the real magic happens. Local newspapers, business magazines, and industry publications love covering award winners. Each mention is another citation, another backlink, another trust signal for Google.
But you can’t just sit back and wait for coverage to happen. You need to actively reach out to local media with your award news. The Gazette, Colorado Springs Business Journal, and local TV stations are always looking for positive business stories.
Social Proof That Converts
Here’s something interesting: awards don’t just help you rank higher – they help you convert better once people find you. When someone lands on your website and sees you’ve been recognized as “Best HVAC Company in Colorado Springs” or whatever your award might be, it immediately builds trust.
This improved conversion rate actually sends positive signals back to Google. When people stay on your site longer and engage more, Google takes notice and can boost your rankings even further.
Common Mistakes That Kill Award SEO Value
I’ve watched so many businesses completely waste their award opportunities. Here are the biggest mistakes Isee:
The “Set It and Forget It” Approach
You win an award, post about it once on social media, maybe add it to your website, and then… nothing. This is like buying a lottery ticket and forgetting to check if you won.
Awards should be working for you continuously. Update your Google Business Profile, add award badges to your website footer, mention them in your email signatures, and keep talking about them in your content marketing.
Not Optimizing the Award Content
When you create content around your awards, you need to think smart about SEO. Don’t just slap on “We won an award!” Tell the story, making sure those local keywords are woven in naturally.
Instead of: “Casey’s SEO wins best digital marketing agency award”
Try: “Colorado Springs digital marketing agency Casey’s SEO recognized for outstanding local search optimization results”
See the difference? The second version includes location-specific keywords and describes what you actually do.
Missing the Link Building Opportunities
This one makes me want to pull my hair out. You win an award, and there are probably dozens of link building opportunities you’re not pursuing. Partner organizations, industry associations, local business networks – they all want to celebrate your success if you just ask.
Your Step-by-Step Award SEO Action Plan
Alright, let’s get practical. Here’s exactly what you should do when you win any kind of business recognition:
Step 1: Create Detailed Award Content
Don’t just mention your award in passing. Create a dedicated page or blog post about it. Include:
- What the award recognizes
- Why you won (specific achievements)
- What it means for your customers
- Photos from any award ceremony
- Quotes from the awarding organization
Make sure you’re naturally incorporating your target keywords throughout this content. If you’re a Colorado Springs restaurant that won a “Best Local Dining” award, make sure phrases like “Colorado Springs restaurant” and “local dining” appear naturally in your content.
Step 2: Update All Your Digital Properties
Your award should be visible everywhere potential customers might find you online:
- Add award badges to your website header or footer
- Update your Google Business Profile with award information
- Include awards in your social media bios
- Add them to your email signature
- Update your Linked In company page
This isn’t just about SEO – it’s about building trust at every touchpoint.
Step 3: Launch a Strategic Outreach Campaign
This is where most businesses leave money on the table. Create a list of everyone who might want to share your award news:
- Local media outlets
- Industry publications
- Partner organizations
- Business associations you belong to
- Suppliers and vendors
- Your network of business contacts
Draft a simple press release or announcement and start reaching out. Don’t be pushy – just share the news and see who’s interested in covering it.
Step 4: Maximize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Maps optimization should absolutely include your awards. Add photos of awards, mention them in your business description, and include them in regular posts.
When customers leave reviews mentioning your award-winning service, make sure to respond and reinforce that recognition. It all adds up to stronger local search signals.
Step 5: Keep the Momentum Going
Don’t let your award become old news. Find ways to keep mentioning it:
- Include it in future marketing campaigns
- Reference it when pitching new clients
- Use it as social proof in case studies
- Mention it in podcast interviews or speaking opportunities
Colorado Springs-Specific Award Opportunities
If you don’t have awards yet, here are some local opportunities worth pursuing:
- Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce awards
- Better Business Bureau recognition programs
- Pikes Peak region business awards
- Industry-specific Colorado associations
- Local newspaper “Best of” awards
The key is to start applying. Most businesses don’t even try, so your competition for many of these awards might be lighter than you think.
Measuring Your Award SEO Success
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Here’s how to track whether your award SEO efforts are paying off:
Monitor Your Backlink Profile
Use tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs to track new backlinks from award-related coverage. You should see new referring domains and improved domain authority over time.
Track Local Search Rankings
Keep an eye on your rankings for local keywords. Awards often provide a nice boost to local search visibility, especially when combined with other local SEO strategies.
Watch Your Website Traffic
Award coverage often drives direct traffic spikes. But more importantly, you should see sustained increases in organic traffic as your improved authority starts boosting rankings.
Monitor Brand Mentions
Set up Google Alerts for your business name plus terms like “award” or “recognition.” This helps you catch coverage you might have missed and identify additional link building opportunities.
The Long-Term Award Strategy
Here’s what separates the businesses that really succeed with award SEO from those that just get lucky once: they treat awards as an ongoing marketing strategy, not a one-time event.
Build award applications into your annual marketing calendar. Research what awards are out there in your industry and location, then make a plan to apply for the ones that fit. Even if you don’t win, the application process often helps you really nail down what makes your business special.
And remember – small awards count too. You don’t need to win a national recognition to get SEO value. Alocal chamber of commerce award or industry association recognition can be just as valuable for local search rankings.
Making It All Work Together
Awards are just one piece of your SEO puzzle, but they’re a powerful piece that too many businesses ignore. When you combine award recognition with solid on-page SEO, consistent local citations, and quality content marketing, you’re building the kind of all-around local search presence that’s hard for competitors to match.
The businesses Isee succeeding in 2025 are the ones that understand this integrated approach. They’re not just chasing rankings – they’re building genuine authority and trust in their markets.
If you’re ready to take your local SEO seriously and want help building a complete strategy that includes maximizing award opportunities, I’d love to chat. You can reach out to me at casey@caseysseo.com or call 719-639-8238. Or if you’re in the area, feel free to stop by our office at 8110 Portsmouth Ct in Colorado Springs.
Remember, every award sitting in your office represents untapped SEO potential. Don’t let that recognition go to waste – put it to work for your search rankings and watch your visibility grow.
