Local Tour SEO Case Study by DYB Digital
Impressive 927% Annual Growth
We Help You Dominate
Case Study for Niche Tourism Company
Today, we’re excited to share the journey of one of our clients in the tourism industry—a niche tour service provider based in the Portland area. Before the pandemic, the business was thriving, mainly relying on referrals and organic visibility from authority tourism websites. However, after COVID disrupted the industry, they found themselves needing to rebuild their online presence to prepare for the return of travelers.
Client Background
With no prior SEO work done and limited visibility in search results, the client turned to DYB Digital to help grow their online presence, increase bookings, and ultimately boost revenue through organic search. Our focus was to improve their site’s visibility in local search results and establish them as a go-to resource for tourists visiting the Portland area.
Over the course of our partnership, we’ve transformed the client’s website into an organic lead magnet, helping them grow from hundreds to thousands of organic visitors annually, with a remarkable 927% growth in just one year. From addressing critical technical SEO issues to developing a robust content strategy and building authority through strategic backlinks, we’ve positioned the client’s site to rank alongside industry giants like TripAdvisor and attract high-quality, location-specific traffic.
Our Approach
When the client came to us, we knew we had to take a comprehensive approach to rebuild their online presence. Our first step was to conduct a detailed Website Quality Audit to identify and address key technical SEO issues. This allowed us to fix problems related to site structure, redirects, and internal linking, which were preventing search engines from properly crawling and indexing the site’s content.
Next, we developed a targeted SEO Content Strategy focused on location-specific keywords that would help the site rank in the Portland area. Since the tourism industry is highly competitive, especially with authority sites like TripAdvisor dominating search results, we focused on targeting low-competition, niche keywords that would give the client a competitive edge. We created and optimized landing pages and content silos, which provided relevant information to both users and search engines about the tours and services offered.
To further boost the site’s authority and rankings, we implemented a strategic link-building campaign, including HARO outreach and the careful selection of paid backlink opportunities. These efforts significantly improved the website’s Domain Rating (DR) and played a pivotal role in propelling the site’s growth in organic traffic.
Why This Matters
A strong local SEO strategy is critical for businesses in the tourism industry. Tourists rely heavily on online searches when planning their trips, and a well-optimized website can be the difference between securing a booking and being overlooked by potential customers. For our client, improving their SEO wasn’t just about boosting traffic—it was about increasing visibility in a competitive space and positioning themselves as a trusted resource for travelers.
By focusing on location-specific keywords and optimizing the website’s architecture, we helped the client achieve top-tier rankings alongside massive authority sites like TripAdvisor, which is a monumental achievement for a smaller, niche business. The results were clear: a more visible website brought in more organic traffic, increased engagement, and, ultimately, more bookings. These SEO improvements allowed the client to regain their presence in the market and continue growing, even after the challenges posed by the pandemic.

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Technical SEO Fixes for Tourism Company
A thorough Website Quality Audit revealed several technical issues that were preventing the client’s website from performing well in search rankings. These issues mainly stemmed from the site’s architecture, which made it difficult for search engines to crawl and index the content efficiently. Many pages had no internal links pointing to them, making them isolated from the rest of the site and harder for search engines to discover.
One of the most significant challenges was dealing with redirects and indexability issues. The site had 11 URLs that contained 4XX or 5XX errors, which resulted in poor user experience and search engine crawling difficulties. To fix this, we removed or repointed faulty redirects and corrected URLs that were incorrectly pointing to other internal URLs due to minor differences like the presence or absence of trailing slashes.
We also identified several isolated URLs—pages that were only accessible via canonical tags or linked to from other isolated URLs. These pages weren’t contributing to the website’s overall structure and were essentially invisible to both users and search engines. To resolve this, we ensured these URLs were incorporated into the main site architecture and added internal links to help them gain visibility and link equity.
Additionally, we fixed several on-page issues including duplicate meta descriptions and missing alt text for images, which had the potential to confuse search engines about the content’s relevance. We also addressed orphan pages—URLs with no incoming internal links—by adding appropriate links from related pages, ensuring that all pages were integrated into the website’s structure.
These technical SEO fixes laid the foundation for a better user experience, improved site crawlability, and stronger rankings in search results.
Wondering if your site had technical SEO issues? Contact us now for your free, obligation-free consultation.
SEO Content Strategy Implementation
With the technical SEO issues resolved, we turned our focus to developing a tailored SEO Content Strategy that would target location-specific keywords and help the client establish authority in their niche. The goal was to ensure that the client’s website would not only rank for relevant tour-related terms but also become a go-to resource for tourists planning their trips to Portland.
We began by researching the competitive landscape in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages). This analysis revealed that while authority sites like TripAdvisor were ranking for high-volume keywords, there was a significant opportunity to target lower-competition, location-specific keywords. We identified these keywords based on what was missing in the search results and what the client’s target audience would be searching for when planning a tour in the region.
The strategy involved creating optimized landing pages that targeted these location-based keywords, such as “Portland ***** tours” and other variations. These landing pages were carefully crafted to be both user-friendly and optimized for search engines, ensuring that the content would appeal to visitors while satisfying Google’s ranking algorithms. To further strengthen the site’s authority, we built content silos around each landing page, creating interlinking blog posts, city guides, and other supporting content that would drive additional organic traffic to the site.
For example, we developed city-specific guides and blog posts related to Portland and its attractions. These pieces of content were designed to rank for low-competition keywords that were directly related to the services offered, ensuring the site would capture more relevant search traffic. We then interlinked these pieces of content with the optimized landing pages, using targeted keywords as anchor text to create a stronger SEO foundation.
This comprehensive approach not only helped improve the client’s topical authority but also allowed the site to rank for a wider variety of relevant keywords, making it more visible to users searching for tours in the Portland area.
Lacking a strong SEO content strategy? DYB Digital is here to help! Contact us now for your free, obligation-free consultation.
Landing Pages & Supporting Content
After identifying the right keywords and creating a robust content strategy, we focused on building and optimizing the landing pages to capture traffic for location-specific searches. The client’s business was in a highly competitive space, with authority sites like TripAdvisor dominating the SERPs. To compete, we had to ensure that our landing pages were not only optimized for SEO but also provided a superior user experience.
The first step was to optimize the landing pages for devices across the board, ensuring the pages were mobile-friendly and fast-loading. We used SurferSEO to fine-tune each landing page, ensuring it was optimized for both search engines and user engagement. SurferSEO’s data-driven recommendations helped us tailor the content to match the top-ranking pages in the SERPs, including optimizing on-page elements like meta descriptions, headings, and internal linking.
Next, we created content silos around each landing page. This involved writing a series of blog posts, city guides, and other supporting content that addressed both broad and niche queries related to the client’s services and the Portland area. These supporting pieces were carefully interlinked with the landing pages, using targeted anchor text, to build relevance and authority for the pages we wanted to rank.
For instance, one landing page targeting the keyword “Portland ***** tours” was supported by blog articles like “Top 10 Portland Tour Attractions” and “A Local’s Guide to Portland’s Best Tour Services.” These articles were optimized for related keywords, ensuring they ranked in their own right while also driving traffic to the main landing page. By including clear calls-to-action (CTAs) in the supporting content, we were able to guide users toward booking a tour, further improving conversion rates.
The interlinking structure between landing pages and supporting content was crucial for boosting the site’s topical relevance and ensuring the site became a trusted resource for tourists. The content silos not only helped us target low-competition keywords but also provided users with valuable information, improving their engagement with the site.
Looking for landing pages and supporting content that drive organic traffic and conversions? Contact us now for your free, obligation-free consultation.
The client’s website was missing a clear and effective SEO content strategy, and its structure wasn’t optimized for organic growth. While the site had a few landing pages, they were underperforming—some had been used for paid ads in the past but didn’t yield successful results. These pages weren’t optimized for SEO, which meant they weren’t bringing in organic traffic either.
What We Did
We developed a comprehensive content strategy aimed at improving the client’s search rankings and increasing their visibility. Since the site had some modest rankings (mostly on page 3 and beyond for target keywords), we identified several low-hanging fruit opportunities—keywords that were within reach and could be targeted with a strategic content push.
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Optimized Landing Pages: We created new, optimized landing pages for the client’s core services, ensuring they targeted the right keywords and offered clear value propositions to potential customers.
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Supporting Content: We built supporting content (blog posts, service descriptions, etc.) that linked back to the landing pages, helping to improve the relevance and authority of the main service pages. This internal linking strategy helped search engines understand the connection between pages and boosted their ability to rank higher.
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Building Topical Authority: To improve the site’s overall authority on key topics, we made sure the content strategy covered all aspects of the client’s services. This approach not only improved keyword rankings but also provided valuable information for users, fostering trust and engagement.
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Future Backlink Strategy: The final phase of the strategy was building quality backlinks to the optimized content, further increasing its authority and pushing the pages higher in the search rankings.
The Results
By targeting relevant keywords, optimizing content, and building a strong internal linking structure, we were able to increase the site’s visibility and rankings. Over time, this strategic content growth positioned the client as an authority in their field, driving more organic traffic and potential leads.
To improve the client’s visibility and rankings, we started with extensive keyword research to uncover the best opportunities for landing pages. Given the client’s budget, we focused on building three key service landing pages: bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO services. Our first task was to determine which keywords had the most potential for SEO success.
What We Did
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Keyword Research and Competitor Analysis:
- We conducted thorough keyword research to identify the most relevant terms for each service page. After assessing the competition, we realized that many high-volume keywords would require significant investment in link-building, which was outside of the client’s current budget.
- Implementation Tip: When working with a limited budget, targeting high-volume keywords with significant competition may not be the best strategy. Instead, focus on lower-competition, low-traffic keywords to build a strong foundation.
-
Focusing on Low-Competition Keywords:
- We decided to focus on niche keywords that had low competition but still had potential to drive relevant traffic. This meant niching down the service pages and targeting specific aspects of bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO services.
- Implementation Tip: Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find long-tail keywords that are less competitive. These keywords are often easier to rank for and can drive highly targeted traffic.
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Supporting Content Development:
- Once we identified the right keywords for the service landing pages, we moved on to finding opportunities for supporting content. We researched 15 solid keyword opportunities and created content briefs for 5 articles for each service page. These articles would be interlinked around the landing pages, helping to build topical authority and improve internal SEO.
- Implementation Tip: Supporting content plays a critical role in SEO. By targeting related long-tail keywords, you can create content that complements and enhances the main service pages.
-
Redesigning and Optimizing Landing Pages:
- We redesigned the three core service landing pages (bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO) to ensure they were fully optimized for SEO. This included making the content more engaging, improving keyword integration, and optimizing page speed and mobile responsiveness.
- Implementation Tip: Ensure that landing pages are well-structured, with clear headings, call-to-actions, and optimized content that targets the selected keywords.
-
Publishing and Interlinking Supporting Content:
- After the supporting articles were written and optimized, we published them to the client’s blog and strategically interlinked them to the landing pages. This internal linking strategy helped reinforce the relevance of the service pages and improved their chances of ranking higher in search results.
- Implementation Tip: Make sure your interlinking strategy is natural and relevant. Links should help users navigate through your content while improving the SEO value of your landing pages.
The Results
By focusing on targeted, low-competition keywords and creating valuable supporting content, we helped the client establish a more effective and scalable SEO strategy. The optimized landing pages and interlinked articles laid the foundation for improving rankings and driving targeted traffic without breaking the budget.
The client’s website has experienced impressive growth month-over-month. While progress was slow at first, we are now seeing significant momentum. Over the last 6 months, the site has grown by 337%—a clear indication that our strategies are working.
Where the Traffic is Coming From
While the majority of the traffic is currently driven by the supporting posts we created, the landing page rankings are steadily improving. Several of these pages are now ranking on page 1 for highly competitive, lead-generating keywords, which is a huge win for the client’s long-term SEO goals.
What’s Next
This success is just the beginning. We plan to update this case study in another 6 months to showcase even further growth as the client continues to reap the benefits of our ongoing SEO and content strategies. As their website continues to build authority, we expect even more organic traffic and high-quality leads.
Link Building Strategy for Tour Operator
With the content strategy in place and the landing pages optimized, we turned our attention to link building, a critical factor in improving the client’s search rankings and authority. Given the competitive nature of the tourism industry, securing high-quality backlinks was essential to gaining an edge over bigger players like TripAdvisor.
We began by carefully identifying paid backlink opportunities that were relevant to the client’s niche. It’s crucial to ensure that backlinks come from legitimate sources with real organic traffic, as many backlink providers sell links from low-quality sites that could harm a website’s reputation. Our team vetted each backlink opportunity, ensuring they were relevant to the client’s industry, region, and target audience. By securing these paid links, we were able to maintain control over the anchor text, ensuring it was aligned with the target keywords for maximum impact.
In addition to paid backlinks, we implemented a HARO (Help a Reporter Out) outreach campaign. This strategy helped us secure backlinks from high-authority sources, primarily from university websites and other credible outlets. HARO outreach is an excellent way to gain valuable backlinks that carry significant link equity, improving the overall domain authority of the client’s site.
We balanced these link-building efforts with the ongoing content creation process. After publishing the supporting articles and landing pages, we directed the links to these pages, ensuring that the link equity flowed to the most important parts of the site. The HARO links were strategically pointed toward the client’s home page to help boost site-wide authority, while the paid links were directed at specific content silos and landing pages to strengthen those areas.
By carefully curating these backlinks and balancing them with content creation, we were able to significantly improve the client’s Domain Rating (DR), which played a pivotal role in the site’s rapid rise in organic traffic and search engine rankings.
To improve the client’s visibility and rankings, we started with extensive keyword research to uncover the best opportunities for landing pages. Given the client’s budget, we focused on building three key service landing pages: bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO services. Our first task was to determine which keywords had the most potential for SEO success.
What We Did
-
Keyword Research and Competitor Analysis:
- We conducted thorough keyword research to identify the most relevant terms for each service page. After assessing the competition, we realized that many high-volume keywords would require significant investment in link-building, which was outside of the client’s current budget.
- Implementation Tip: When working with a limited budget, targeting high-volume keywords with significant competition may not be the best strategy. Instead, focus on lower-competition, low-traffic keywords to build a strong foundation.
-
Focusing on Low-Competition Keywords:
- We decided to focus on niche keywords that had low competition but still had potential to drive relevant traffic. This meant niching down the service pages and targeting specific aspects of bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO services.
- Implementation Tip: Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find long-tail keywords that are less competitive. These keywords are often easier to rank for and can drive highly targeted traffic.
-
Supporting Content Development:
- Once we identified the right keywords for the service landing pages, we moved on to finding opportunities for supporting content. We researched 15 solid keyword opportunities and created content briefs for 5 articles for each service page. These articles would be interlinked around the landing pages, helping to build topical authority and improve internal SEO.
- Implementation Tip: Supporting content plays a critical role in SEO. By targeting related long-tail keywords, you can create content that complements and enhances the main service pages.
-
Redesigning and Optimizing Landing Pages:
- We redesigned the three core service landing pages (bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO) to ensure they were fully optimized for SEO. This included making the content more engaging, improving keyword integration, and optimizing page speed and mobile responsiveness.
- Implementation Tip: Ensure that landing pages are well-structured, with clear headings, call-to-actions, and optimized content that targets the selected keywords.
-
Publishing and Interlinking Supporting Content:
- After the supporting articles were written and optimized, we published them to the client’s blog and strategically interlinked them to the landing pages. This internal linking strategy helped reinforce the relevance of the service pages and improved their chances of ranking higher in search results.
- Implementation Tip: Make sure your interlinking strategy is natural and relevant. Links should help users navigate through your content while improving the SEO value of your landing pages.
The Results
By focusing on targeted, low-competition keywords and creating valuable supporting content, we helped the client establish a more effective and scalable SEO strategy. The optimized landing pages and interlinked articles laid the foundation for improving rankings and driving targeted traffic without breaking the budget.
The client’s website has experienced impressive growth month-over-month. While progress was slow at first, we are now seeing significant momentum. Over the last 6 months, the site has grown by 337%—a clear indication that our strategies are working.
Where the Traffic is Coming From
While the majority of the traffic is currently driven by the supporting posts we created, the landing page rankings are steadily improving. Several of these pages are now ranking on page 1 for highly competitive, lead-generating keywords, which is a huge win for the client’s long-term SEO goals.
What’s Next
This success is just the beginning. We plan to update this case study in another 6 months to showcase even further growth as the client continues to reap the benefits of our ongoing SEO and content strategies. As their website continues to build authority, we expect even more organic traffic and high-quality leads.
Results & Impact

The efforts we put into optimizing the client’s website, creating content silos, and building high-quality backlinks paid off in a big way. Over the course of our partnership, the website experienced 927% growth in organic traffic year-over-year—an extraordinary increase that reflects the effectiveness of the strategy we implemented.
Organic Traffic
Most of the traffic came from the supporting blog posts and city guides we created as part of the content silos. These pieces not only helped to improve rankings but also provided valuable, relevant content that users were actively searching for. This growth wasn’t just about increased traffic; it was about bringing the right visitors—those who were looking to book a tour in the Portland area.
Keyword Rankings
The landing page rankings showed consistent improvement, with several landing pages now ranking on page 1 for highly competitive, lead-generating keywords such as “Portland ***** tours,” “******* ******** tours,” and “Portland ****** tour bus.” This was a major achievement, considering the client’s site was competing with authority sites like TripAdvisor. By improving the site’s topical authority and focusing on location-specific keywords, we were able to outshine competitors and capture a larger share of local search traffic.
Bookings and Business Growth
The increased traffic directly resulted in more bookings, and the client reported a significant rise in business this year compared to last. While the client didn’t provide precise figures on revenue, the 927% increase in organic traffic and higher rankings for targeted keywords were clear indicators that the business was growing thanks to our SEO efforts.
The improvements we made have positioned the client for continued success. With the SEO foundation in place, the client is now more visible to tourists in the Portland area and is poised for even more growth. The client is already planning to increase their SEO budget to further expand their online presence and drive even more bookings.
Interested in replicating these results? Contact us now to book your free, obligation-free consultation.
The DYB Guarantee
At DYB Digital, we’re fully committed to your success. We guarantee more visibility, more organic inbound traffic, and more leads for your business—or we’ll keep working until we deliver. You can trust us to be transparent every step of the way, sharing insights, data, and results to ensure a successful long-term partnership.
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