How to Get Your Business Found Online in Sumas, Washington
If you run a business in Sumas, you know the town sits right on the Canadian border, with a population just over 1,500. Its economy leans heavily on cross-border trade, agriculture, and small retail shops that serve both locals and travelers passing through the port of entry. But here’s the problem: when someone in Sumas searches for “pizza near me” or “plumber Sumas,” most local businesses don’t show up on the first page of Google. They get buried under results from Bellingham or Abbotsford.
Why? Because Google ranks businesses based on signals most small owners never think about. You might have the best shop in town, but if Google can’t find clear, consistent information about you online, it will show someone else instead.
Here are four practical things you can do yourself to fix that.
1. Set up your Google Business Profile correctly
This is the single most important step. Go to Google Business Profile (it’s free) and claim your listing. Fill out every field: your exact address, phone number, hours, and category (e.g., “Mexican restaurant” not just “restaurant”). Upload real photos of your storefront and menu. If your address is a home-based business, choose the “service area” option so you don’t show your home address publicly. Google uses this profile to decide if you’re a real, local business.
2. Ask for reviews and respond to them
Reviews are like votes of trust. When a customer has a good experience, ask them to leave a Google review. Even five or ten honest reviews can push you ahead of competitors with none. And when you get a review—good or bad—reply to it. A simple “Thanks, Sarah!” or “Sorry about that, we fixed the issue” tells Google you’re active and care about customers.
3. Make sure your website works on a phone
More than half of local searches happen on phones. If your site takes more than three seconds to load or the text is too small to read, people leave—and Google notices. You don’t need a fancy redesign. Just check your site on your own phone. Can you tap your phone number to call you? Can you read the menu without pinching the screen? If not, ask your web host for a mobile-friendly theme.
4. Use local keywords in your content
Think about what a customer would type into Google. Instead of “auto repair,” use “auto repair in Sumas, WA.” Instead of “coffee shop,” use “coffee shop near the Sumas border.” Sprinkle these phrases naturally into your website’s headlines, service pages, and blog posts. Don’t stuff them in—just write like you’re talking to a neighbor.
What about backlinks?
Backlinks are simply links from other websites to yours. Think of them like word-of-mouth referrals for Google. When a reputable local site—like the Sumas Chamber of Commerce or a local news site—links to your business, Google sees that as a vote of confidence. The more quality links you have, the higher you tend to rank. You can earn them by getting mentioned in local articles, sponsoring community events, or being listed in local directories.
At BacklinkUSA.com, we help Sumas businesses get those kinds of mentions by publishing articles about them on high-authority websites. It’s a straightforward way to earn the backlinks that improve your Google rankings.