Published by: Amit Kakkar
Published on: January 12, 2026
Last updated on: January 12, 2026

Last Updated on January 12, 2026 by admin

TL;DR – Quick Summary

Outsourcing link building for SaaS saves time and money while delivering better results. This guide covers six essential steps: defining your goals, setting a realistic budget, choosing the right partner, establishing quality criteria, monitoring results, and scaling your strategy. You’ll learn how to avoid black-hat tactics, identify red flags in agencies, and build a backlink profile that boosts domain authority and organic traffic. With link building costs ranging from $300 to $2,000 per link depending on industry competitiveness, outsourcing often proves more cost-effective than hiring in-house teams.​

Are you spending thousands on in-house link builders but seeing minimal ranking improvements? 

You’re not alone. 

Over 69% of companies still manage link building internally, yet 73.5% of these teams generate fewer than 10 links monthly. 

That’s money down the drain.​

Here’s the truth: building a quality backlink profile for your SaaS business doesn’t require an expensive in-house team. You can outsource link building for SaaS and achieve better results at a fraction of the cost. 

This guide walks you through six proven steps to partner with the right agency, avoid costly mistakes, and secure backlinks that actually move your search rankings.​

Ready to stop wasting budget on link building that doesn’t work? Let’s dive in.

Why SaaS Companies Choose to Outsource Link Building

Building links in-house sounds practical until you calculate the real costs. A full-time link builder in the US earns around $80,000 annually. Add benefits, tools, and training, and you’re looking at $90,000 to $100,000 per year.​

Here’s where it gets interesting. Most in-house link builders produce fewer than 10 quality links monthly. That’s roughly $667 per link before you factor in content creation, outreach tools, and paid placements.​

1. Cost Savings That Actually Matter

When you outsource link building for SaaS, you skip the overhead entirely. Agencies charge between $300 and $700 per editorial placement on high-authority domains. For 10 monthly links, you’re spending $3,500 to $5,500 versus $100,000 annually for an underperforming internal team.​

2. Expertise You Can’t Build Overnight

Professional link building agencies bring established relationships with site owners across multiple industries. Your internal hire starts from zero. They need months to build trust, test outreach strategies, and develop publisher contacts.​

Agencies already have vetted lists and proven workflows. They understand niche-specific outreach challenges and avoid mistakes that trigger Google penalties. This specialized knowledge translates to faster placements on relevant, authoritative sites.​

3. Advanced Tools Without the Price Tag

Quality link building requires expensive software. Ahrefs Standard costs $249 monthly, Pitchbox runs $165, and Semrush adds another $249.95. You’ll easily spend $1,000+ per month on tools alone.​

Agencies include these tools in their service. You get access to enterprise-level SEO platforms without separate subscriptions. They also know how to use them effectively, maximizing ROI from every data point.​

4. Flexibility to Scale on Demand

Need 10 links this month but 30 next quarter ? Agencies adjust volume based on your goals. Scaling an in-house team means hiring, training, and managing additional staff. Downsizing creates turnover and knowledge loss.​

Outsourcing gives you flexibility without long-term commitments. You can test strategies, shift focus between content types, and respond to algorithm updates without restructuring your team.​

6 Effective Steps to Outsource Link Building for SaaS

Here are six effective ways to outsource your link building for SaaS :

1. Step 1 : Define Your Link Building Goals for SaaS Growth

Before you contact any agency, you need crystal-clear objectives. Vague goals produce vague results.​

Setting Measurable Objectives

Your link building goals should tie directly to business outcomes. Here’s the difference between weak and strong goals:​

Weak Goal : Get more backlinks to our website.

Strong Goal : Secure 30 referring domains to our comparison pages within three months to support mid-funnel traffic and improve rankings for commercial keywords.

The strong goal specifies quantity, target pages, timeframe, and expected outcome. This clarity helps agencies choose the right tactics and measure ROI accurately.​

Choosing Your Link Types

Different link types serve different purposes. Your strategy should match your current SEO needs and growth stage.​

Common link building methods include :

• Guest posts : Build authority through thought leadership content on industry blogs
• HARO mentions : Earn editorial links from high-authority news sites and publications
• Niche edits : Place contextual links in existing relevant content
• Resource page links : Get featured on curated industry resource lists
• Digital PR : Secure media coverage that generates natural backlinks

For SaaS companies focused on geo-targeting, local citations and regional industry directories become essential. If you’re building long-term brand authority, prioritize content assets and digital PR campaigns.​

Authority and Traffic Targets

Set minimum standards for linking domains. Most agencies recommend targeting sites with Domain Rating (DR) above 30, though competitive niches benefit from DR 50+ placements.​

Don’t chase high DR alone. A site with DR 40 and 5,000 monthly organic visitors often delivers more value than a DR 60 site with zero traffic. Check both metrics to ensure real authority.​

Step 2 : Determine Your Monthly Link Building Budget

Your budget directly impacts link quality, quantity, and campaign scope. Setting realistic expectations prevents disappointment and wasted spend.​

Understanding Link Building Costs

Link building services’ pricing varies significantly by industry, domain authority, and link type. According to 2025 data, expect these ranges:​

Link Type	Cost Range	Best For
HARO Mentions	$150 – $800+	Brand visibility and high-authority backlinks
Guest Posts	$100 – $1,000+	Thought leadership and targeted traffic
Editorial Links	$200 – $2,000+	Competitive niches requiring strong authority
Niche Edits	$150 – $400	Quick wins on established content
Business Directories	$10 – $200+	Local SEO and foundational citations

Competitive industries like finance and SaaS demand higher budgets. A 70+ DR link in finance costs $1,000 to $2,000, while similar placements in education run $600 to $1,400.​

Monthly Budget Planning

Most agencies recommend monthly retainers between $2,000 and $10,000. Here’s what different budget levels typically deliver:​

$2,000 – $3,500 monthly :

• 5-8 quality links from DR 30-50 sites
• Basic outreach and content coordination
• Standard reporting

$4,000 – $6,000 monthly :

• 8-12 editorial placements from DR 40-60 sites
• Custom content creation
• Strategic anchor text planning
• Detailed performance tracking

$7,000+ monthly :

• 10-15+ high-authority links (DR 60+)
• Digital PR campaigns
• Advanced technical SEO support
• Competitive analysis and strategy refinement

Calculate your target cost per link. If you need 10 monthly links and your budget is $5,000, you’re spending $500 per link. This helps evaluate agency proposals and set realistic expectations.​

Balancing Quality and Quantity

You can’t buy 50 links for $500 and expect results. Low-cost bulk link packages typically come from private blog networks or irrelevant directories. These hurt more than they help.​

Recent industry data shows SaaS companies increasingly prioritize quality over volume. A single DR 70 editorial link from a relevant SaaS publication often outperforms 20 low-authority directory listings.​

Budget for fewer, better links. Your rankings and domain authority will thank you.​

Step 3 : Pick the Right Link Building Partner

This step makes or breaks your entire campaign. The wrong agency wastes your budget and damages your domain authority. The right link building agency drives measurable growth.​

Freelancer vs Agency : Making the Choice

You have three options when you outsource link building for SaaS: freelancers, small agencies, or established firms.​

Freelancers charge $200 to $1,000 monthly. They work well for small budgets and simple campaigns. However, results vary widely. Many lack established publisher networks and rely on questionable tactics. Fake reviews are common – entire Facebook groups sell Fiverr reviews for a few dollars.​

Small agencies offer middle-ground pricing ($2,000 to $5,000 monthly) with more structure than freelancers. They suit growing SaaS companies that need consistent quality without enterprise-level investment.​

Established agencies charge $5,000 to $15,000+ monthly but bring proven systems, extensive networks, and white-hat practices. They’re ideal for competitive niches requiring high-authority placements.​

Vetting Potential Partners

Don’t trust marketing claims. Verify everything :

• Check their own backlink profile : Use Ahrefs or Semrush to analyze their referring domains, anchor text diversity, and link velocity. If they don’t invest in their own authority, they won’t build yours.​
• Review real case studies : Look for specific metrics ranking improvements, traffic increases, and referring domain growth. Vague testimonials mean nothing. Ask for client references you can contact directly.​
• Examine their industry focus : Agencies develop stronger networks in niches they serve regularly. If they’ve worked with SaaS companies before, they understand your challenges and have relevant contacts.​
• Read detailed client reviews : Focus on Clutch, G2, or Upwork reviews that discuss long-term partnerships. High star ratings without context don’t prove quality.​

Red Flags to Avoid

Some warning signs indicate agencies you should skip :​

• Guaranteed rankings : SEO outcomes aren’t predictable. Promises of specific positions are dishonest​
• Suspiciously low prices : Quality links cost money. Offers for 10 links at $20 come from spam networks​
• Vague methods : If they won’t explain their process clearly, assume black-hat tactics​
• No white-hat verification : Ask directly if they use ethical practices. Unclear answers are red flags​

Work only with transparent agencies focused on quality. Your domain’s reputation depends on it.​

Step 4 : Set Clear Backlink Quality Criteria

Not all backlinks improve your rankings. Some actively harm your site. Establishing quality standards before outreach begins prevents wasted budget and protects your domain.​

Essential Quality Metrics

When you outsource link building for SaaS, insist your agency meets these criteria :​

• Domain Rating and Authority : Target sites with DR/DA above 30 minimum. For competitive SaaS niches, aim for DR 50+. Low-authority sites from spam networks damage your SEO profile and trigger penalties.​
• Niche Relevance : Every backlink should come from websites in your industry or closely related fields. A SaaS project management tool needs links from business software blogs, not pet care sites. Irrelevant links provide zero contextual SEO value.​
• Organic Traffic Validation : Prioritize sites with 3,000+ monthly organic visitors. High DR means nothing if the site has zero traffic. Use Ahrefs or Semrush to verify consistent traffic growth.​

Technical Link Requirements

Your agency should follow these placement standards :​

• Editorial link placement within main content : Links belong in article body text, not sidebars or footers. Editorial placements in the main content pass stronger link equity.​

• Natural anchor text distribution : Mix exact match, partial match, branded, and generic anchors. Here’s a healthy distribution

Anchor Type	Example	Recommended %
Exact Match	“SaaS link building”	10-15%
Partial Match	“link building strategies for SaaS”	20-30%
Branded	“Growthner”	30-40%
Generic	“click here” or “learn more”	20-30%

Over-optimized anchor text triggers Google penalties. Natural variation keeps your profile safe.​

DoFollow and NoFollow balance : DoFollow links pass ranking authority. NoFollow links build brand visibility and referral traffic. A healthy profile includes both types. Aim for 70-80% DoFollow, 20-30% NoFollow.​

Sustainable Link Velocity

Building too many links too fast looks unnatural. Google’s algorithms flag sudden spikes as manipulation.​

Establish a steady acquisition rate. For new SaaS sites, 5-10 quality links monthly is reasonable. Established domains can handle 15-20 without raising flags. Your agency should pace placements to mimic organic growth.​

Step 5 : Monitor and Review Backlink Performance

Outsourcing doesn’t mean ignoring results. You need visibility into what’s working and what’s wasting budget.​

Key Metrics to Track

When you outsource link building for SaaS, monitor these indicators monthly :​

• Referring domains to target pages : Track new referring domains pointing to your priority URLs. Growth should be steady, not sporadic. Use Ahrefs or Google Search Console to monitor additions.​
• Link quality and relevance : Verify each new backlink meets your quality criteria. Check domain authority, niche relevance, and traffic levels. One toxic link can undermine months of good work.​
• Anchor text distribution : Ensure your agency maintains natural anchor text ratios. Over-optimization signals manipulation to Google. Review monthly reports for balance.​
• Organic ranking improvements : Track keyword position changes for linked pages. Quality backlinks should improve rankings within 4-10 weeks. If you see no movement after 90 days, investigate.​
• Traffic growth to linked pages : Monitor organic sessions and referral traffic. Google Search Console shows impression and click trends. Valuable links drive real visitors, not just rankings.​

Tools for Effective Monitoring

You don’t need every SEO tool to track results. These three cover essential monitoring :​

• Google Search Console (Free) : Shows new referring domains, internal linking changes, and organic performance. Check the Links report weekly for new backlinks.​
• Ahrefs or Semrush ($249+ monthly) : Provides detailed backlink quality analysis, competitor benchmarking, and ranking tracking. The investment pays for itself in saved budget from bad links.​
• Agency Reports : Your partner should deliver monthly reports covering all metrics above. If reports lack detail or transparency, demand better communication.​

Competitive Benchmarking

Compare your backlink profile to competitors. This reveals gaps in your strategy and identifies new link opportunities.​

Use Ahrefs to analyze competitor referring domains. Look for patterns Which sites link to multiple competitors but not to you ? These are prime outreach targets. Share these insights with your agency to refine their prospecting strategy.​

Step 6 : Scale and Optimize Your Link Building Strategy

Sustained SEO growth requires continuous optimization. After establishing a foundation, focus on scaling what works and eliminating what doesn’t.​

Building Long-Term Publisher Relationships

One-off placements miss the bigger opportunity. When you outsource link building for SaaS, prioritize agencies that cultivate ongoing relationships with quality sites.​

Why this matters: Site owners who trust your partner will accept future content more readily. This reduces outreach time and increases acceptance rates. Over 12 months, these relationships can deliver 2-3x more placements per dollar spent.​

Encourage your agency to maintain connections with bloggers, journalists, and industry publishers who’ve featured you before. Regular contributions build authority faster than scattered one-time mentions.​

Eliminating Low-Quality Links

As your profile grows, audit regularly for toxic backlinks. Low-quality links from spam sites or link farms damage domain authority.​

Use Google Search Console or Ahrefs to identify suspicious patterns :​

• Links from unrelated foreign-language sites
• Sudden spikes from private blog networks
• Anchor text stuffed with exact-match keywords
• Links from sites with zero organic traffic

When you find toxic links, ask the agency to request removal. If that fails, disavow them through Google Search Console. One case study showed recovery from a penalty took months of cleanup work. Prevention is far easier.​

Expanding to Scalable Strategies

Once basic link building works consistently, add advanced tactics :​

• Digital PR campaigns : Earn coverage through newsworthy announcements, data studies, or expert commentary. These generate high-authority editorial links naturally. A single successful PR push can deliver 10-20 quality backlinks.​
• Content partnerships with industry influencers : Collaborate on co-branded resources, webinars, or research reports. Partners promote these assets to their audiences, generating backlinks and referral traffic.​
• Linkable assets like original research : Create data-driven studies or industry reports that naturally attract links. A well-promoted research piece can earn dozens of organic backlinks over 6-12 months.​

Your Reddit marketing efforts can complement link building by driving initial visibility to new content. Higher engagement signals quality to publishers considering linking to your resources.​

Balancing Quality and Scale

Focus on sustainable growth. Doubling link volume monthly might boost rankings short-term, but it risks penalties.​

Set realistic scaling targets. If you’re building 10 quality links monthly, aim for 15-20 within six months, not 50. Gradual increases maintain natural-looking growth while improving domain authority steadily.​

When you outsource link building for SaaS, partner with agencies committed to long-term results over short-term gains. Your rankings depend on it.​

Common Mistakes When Outsourcing Link Building

Even experienced marketers make costly errors when outsourcing. Avoid these pitfalls to protect your budget and domain authority.​

1. Chasing Cheap Links

You’ve probably seen LinkedIn messages promising “high DA links for $20”. These offers rely on automated spam, expired domains, or private blog networks.​

The reality: cheap links create cleanup work. You’ll spend months requesting removals and filing disavow requests. One client case study documented how recovering from bad links cost more than building quality ones properly.​

Invest in quality from the start. A $400 editorial link from a relevant DR 50 site delivers lasting value. Ten $20 spam links deliver penalties.​

2. Ignoring Niche Relevance

High domain authority doesn’t guarantee SEO value. A DR 70 general news site might seem attractive, but if it’s not relevant to your SaaS niche, the link provides minimal benefit.​

Recent data shows 55% of SaaS companies prioritize content relevance when evaluating link quality. They understand contextual signals matter as much as authority.​

Always ask your agency: “Why is this site relevant to our business ?” If they can’t provide a clear answer, reject the placement.​

3. Skipping Regular Audits

Links disappear, sites change ownership, and quality degrades over time. Companies that never audit their backlink profiles often discover months of wasted spending.​

Schedule quarterly reviews. Use Ahrefs or Google Search Console to verify all acquired links remain live and maintain quality standards. If an agency-built link disappeared, they should replace it at no cost.​

4. Accepting Generic Reporting

Some agencies deliver vague reports showing “15 links built this month” without details. This lacks the transparency needed to evaluate ROI.​

Demand specific information :​

• Exact URLs of linking and linked pages
• Domain authority and traffic of each linking site
• Anchor text used for each placement
• Context showing how the link fits naturally

Quality agencies provide this level of detail willingly. Those who resist are likely cutting corners.​

Final Thoughts

Building a strong backlink profile separates SaaS companies that dominate search results from those lost on page three. When you outsource link building for SaaS correctly, you gain expertise, established networks, and scalable results without the overhead of internal teams.​

The six steps covered here – defining goals, setting budgets, choosing partners, establishing quality standards, monitoring results, and scaling strategically, give you a proven framework. Follow it, avoid shortcuts, and prioritize quality over quantity.​

Your next move? Evaluate your current link building approach. Are you spending $100,000 annually for fewer than 10 monthly links ? That budget could deliver 60+ high-authority placements through the right agency.​

At Growthner, we specialize in white-hat link building that moves rankings. We understand SaaS challenges because we’ve solved them for companies like yours. Our strategies combine editorial outreach, digital PR, and niche-specific placements to build authority that lasts.​

Ready to stop wasting money on link building that doesn’t work? Let’s build a backlink profile that actually drives growth.

Contact us now.

FAQs

1. How much does it cost to outsource link building for SaaS companies?

Link building costs range from $300 to $2,000 per link depending on domain authority and industry competitiveness. Most SaaS companies spend $3,000 to $10,000 monthly for comprehensive campaigns. Agencies typically deliver 5-15 quality editorial placements at these budget levels.​

2. How long does it take to see results from outsourced link building?

Quality backlinks typically impact rankings within 4-10 weeks after placement. However, noticeable organic traffic improvements often require 3-6 months of consistent link building. Patience matters – sustainable SEO growth happens gradually, not overnight.​

3. What’s the difference between white-hat and black-hat link building?

White-hat link building follows Google’s guidelines by earning natural, editorial links through quality content and relationship building. Black-hat tactics use manipulation like private blog networks, link farms, and automated spam. Black-hat methods risk severe penalties including complete deindexing.​

4. Should I hire a freelancer or agency for SaaS link building?

Agencies provide better consistency, established publisher networks, and white-hat processes for $2,000-$15,000 monthly. Freelancers cost less ($200-$1,000 monthly) but often lack quality control and sustainable strategies. Growing SaaS companies typically see better ROI from agencies.​

5. How do I verify if an agency uses ethical link building practices?

Ask specific questions about their methods: Do they buy links or earn them through outreach ? Do they use private blog networks ? Check their own backlink profile using Ahrefs. Review client case studies for natural link velocity. Ethical agencies answer transparently.​