Link Building for SaaS: The Ultimate Guide to Start With in 2023

Are you struggling to boost your SaaS company’s online visibility?

Link building for SaaS is the solution you’ve been searching for.

This powerful SaaS SEO strategy can drive traffic to your site, improve your search engine rankings, and ultimately increase your conversions.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the best link building strategies for SaaS and guide you in creating an effective link building plan as well as why you actually need link building.

Why does SaaS Needs Link Building?

There could be many reasons why you need link building for your SaaS business, but I won’t bother you will all of them as there are many link building benefits.

However, I’ll share with you the most important link building for SaaS reasons that often get my client’s decision makers to agree to link building and give a good budget:

Reason #1: One of the Main (or the Main) Ranking Factors

Link building gives you backlinks!

Backlinks are one of the most important Google ranking factors that decide where your content going to rank in SERPs for your target keyword.

And in this screenshot from SE Ranking, you can see a clear example of that for the keyword “how to brine a turkey”.

Firstly, you can see that all the ranking websites for this keyword are having high website authority. Which means the entire website has a lot of high-quality backlinks.

And secondly, we can see that the ranking pages themselves have a lot of referring backlinks as well.

On the contrary, if we look at the pages ranking at lower positions, we can see that their backlink profile is not as strong as the top-ranking pages.

Therefore, ranking in positions of 0 traffic!

That’s one of the reasons why you need backlinks!

Reason #2: Only Way to Compete

The next reason why you need link building is that it’s becoming the only differentiating factor when it comes to ranking in the top positions.

Let me explain:

Firstly, almost in every industry, there are at least decent SEOs that can optimize the website and the ranking page for on-page SEO and off-page SEO. Thus, it’s impossible to compete on this.

Secondly, in most industries, the content for your target keyword is great already. So, it’s very hard to go with the tactic “make better content” as that worked 10 years ago. Not now.

This means, there is not so much you can do here anymore, to satisfy the ranking algorithm more than your competitors, especially when they are already ranking and Google knows their content works well for the target keyword.

However, with backlinks, there are essentially no limits to satisfying the search ranking algorithm, giving you the ONLY WAY TO OUTRANK YOUR COMPETITORS.

That’s why link building is so important nowadays!

Reason #3: High ROI

The next reason why link building for SaaS is so important is because it drives super high ROI.

Well, it’s the SEO itself that drives high ROI as link building is part of it.

And SEO has tremendous ROI! Ranging from anywhere between 500%-1,200% of ROI.

(Source)

But, to get approval from your client or boss to accept link building, you need to be able to calculate the value of ranking in the top positions for your top 10,20, or 30 profitable keywords.

To do that, just calculate how much traffic these keywords will bring if you rank in an average position between 1-10. Of course, showing the better the ranking position you can achieve the more you can make.

And then transition to achieve these amazing $$$ results, you need backlinks and how much it would cost to rank in these positions.

And the case is closet. You showed them the money and you showed them the investment required to get the money. No need to overwhelm them with information. This is all that they need.

Reason #4: New SEO Trends

And lastly, it’s the SEO trends such as Google SGE, Bing Chat, and AI-generated content, that make high-quality link building for SaaS the most important thing in SEO!

Why?

Because before all this, there were concepts like topical velocity and topical authority, meaning that if you cover enough (more than your competitors) topics and keywords within your industry, Google will see you as the authority within the topic, meaning gain the topical authority.

And this worked because it was hard to produce a lot of high-quality SEO content at scale, so Google and other search engines were slowly shifting away from backlinks.

But now, with AI, it’s so much easier to produce high-quality content at scale by almost anybody, basically throwing the concepts of topical authority and velocity out of a window.

On the other hand, link building is still hard, even with AI. Therefore, backlinks are becoming once again the main differentiating and top-ranking factor.

Just because producing good content is soooo much easier!

Best Link Building Strategies for SaaS

When it comes to link building, and how it is done, it depends on the specific link building strategy you choose to do to acquire high-quality backlinks.

But which link building strategies should you choose?

Here, I am going to share with you the best link building strategies for SaaS that I recommend to every one of my clients:

HARO Link Building

If you’re on the hunt for high-quality backlinks without breaking the bank, HARO link building is your go-to strategy. HARO, or Help A Reporter Out, is a platform that connects journalists with industry experts.

It’s a win-win situation: journalists get the insights they need, and you get a backlink from a reputable source.

Now, let’s get real here. HARO link building is one of the best free ways to score those high-quality backlinks that would otherwise cost you hundreds of dollars.

The process is relatively straightforward. You sign up, respond to relevant queries from journalists, and if your response is chosen, you get a backlink, often that would cost you hundreds of dollars to build.

Easy peasy, right? Well, it is, but it also requires consistency. You need to regularly check for queries and respond promptly.

For example, through HARO I was able to get backlinks or at least a mention from places like Rasmussen University, SearchEngineLand, or HubSpot.

But while HARO link building is a fantastic strategy, it’s not enough to scale or It’s not going to skyrocket your rankings overnight.

It should be one part of a diverse link building strategy. So, while you’re reaping the benefits of HARO, don’t forget to use other link building means.

After all, variety is the spice of life, and in this case, the key to outranking your competitors.

To learn more about this, check out my HARO guide where I provide step-by-step instructions on how to do it with best practices.

Resource Link Building

Another wonderful strategy that I personally love and believe is one of the most important for SaaS businesses is resource link building.

Resource link building is all about getting your SaaS product or service listed on the “best of” articles or resource pages within your industry.

Google loves these lists. According to their Quality Rater Guidelines, being included on these lists is seen as a strong signal of trust and authority.

It’s like getting a gold star from the principal in the world of SEO!

But the benefits of resource link building don’t stop at SEO.

These lists also drive referral traffic your way. Imagine a potential customer reading a “Best [your product niche] in [current year]” article and seeing your product on the list.

That’s not just a high-quality backlink; that’s a direct route to a potential sale. Talk about a good ROI!

Therefore, resource link building is actually one of the best link building strategies for SaaS that you can use to boost your ranking, traffic, and revenue!

Guest Posting

Guest posting is one of the most popular and commonly used link building strategies in the SEO world.

In a nutshell, guest posting is when you write an article for another website in your industry. In return, you can get contextual backlinks and/or niche-relevant backlinks, which are basically links that you should build only!

Now, guest posting might sound simple, but don’t be fooled. It’s a time-consuming process. You need to find relevant websites, pitch your article idea, write the article, and then wait for it to be published. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

That’s why, if you can, it’s a good idea to outsource this strategy to reputable link building companies and agencies like Authority Builders, FatJoe, Rhino Rank, uSERP, or Link Builder. These guys are pros at securing high-quality guest posts without you having to lift a finger.

But here’s a word of caution: steer clear of those guest bloggers who send you cold emails.

Or anyone from Fiverr/Upwork. While they might seem like a bargain, they can do more harm than good.

They could damage your website’s link profile, and trust me, fixing that is a headache you don’t want. It’s like trying to unscramble an egg.

So, it’s better to start with a good link building agency in the first place. Remember, in SEO, as in life, you often get what you pay for.

Podcast Link Building

Next on our list of link building strategies is podcast link building. This strategy is all about leveraging the growing popularity of podcasts to build high-quality backlinks, increase brand awareness, and attract more customers to your business.

Such as this interview by SEO PowerSuite.

So, what’s the deal with podcast link building?

Well, it’s pretty straightforward. Podcasters are always on the lookout for interesting guests who can provide value to their audience.

That’s where you come in. By appearing as a guest on a podcast, you can share your expertise, provide valuable insights, and in return, get a backlink to your website.

Sometimes is nofollow sometimes is dofollow, so you need to consider whether it’s worth it or not.

But here’s the catch: you can’t just show up, pitch your product, and leave.

That’s a big no-no. You need to provide real value to the podcast’s audience. Think of it as a give-and-take relationship. You give valuable insights, and you take away a high-quality backlink.

One more thing to keep in mind: podcasters often prefer to speak with CEOs or other high-ranking individuals within a company.

So, getting these people on board for a podcast might be a bit of a challenge.

Despite these challenges, podcast link building is unquestionably one of the best digital marketing strategies out there.

It’s not just about link building; it’s about building relationships, boosting your brand, and reaching a wider audience. So, if you haven’t considered podcast link building yet, now’s the time to start!

CEO Interview

Another excellent link building strategy is the CEO interview.

This strategy is all about getting your CEO featured in podcasts, magazines, videos, or any platform where your target audience is engaged. It’s like podcast link building, but with a twist.

The goal of a CEO interview for link building is twofold. First, you get high-quality backlinks from reputable sources that can even include publications like Forbes or Entrepreneur.

These are the kind of backlinks that make Google sit up and take notice.

But the benefits don’t stop there. A CEO interview also gives your brand massive exposure. It increases brand trust and can even lead to more clients, partnership opportunities, and business growth. It’s like a press release for SEO, but with a personal touch.

So, how do you go about securing a CEO interview? It’s all about the pitch. You need to find journalists who conduct interviews and convince them that your CEO has a story worth sharing.

Using link building tools like Muck Rack, Roxhill, or others you can find plenty of journalists.

For instance, the CEO and Founder of DocuClipper managed to generate $120k MRR (or almost $1.5M in ARR) while holding down a full-time job as a developer. Now, that’s a story that’s bound to catch a journalist’s attention!

In conclusion, a CEO interview is not just a link building strategy; it’s a powerful tool for brand-building and business growth. So, start pitching and let your CEO’s story shine!

Trends / Research Link Building

Let’s dive into another powerful link building strategy: Trends / Research Link Building. This strategy involves producing original research or identifying emerging trends in your industry to attract high-quality backlinks.

Think of it as being a trendsetter or a thought leader. You’re not just following the crowd; you’re leading it. And this can attract some serious attention from large publications within your industry.

A prime example of this strategy in action is Brian Dean’s work with explodingtopics.com. By identifying and analyzing emerging trends, he was able to transform the site into a major authority in its field.

But here’s the thing: producing original research or trend posts is not a walk in the park. It can be extremely difficult and expensive.

You need to gather data, analyze it, and present it in a way that’s both engaging and insightful. It’s a significant investment of time, effort, and resources.

However, the ROI of this strategy can far exceed that of other link building strategies, provided everything is done correctly.

It’s not just about getting backlinks; it’s about positioning your brand as a leader and an innovator.

And in the competitive world of SaaS, that’s a reputation worth its weight in gold.

So, if you’re ready to take the plunge, Trends / Research Link Building could be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

Free Tools for Link Building

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about using free tools for link building. This strategy is all about creating a free tool that’s relevant to your product and offering it to your audience.

It’s like giving a gift that keeps on giving, especially when it comes to generating backlinks.

Let’s look at some examples. SE Ranking, a SaaS product, created a free tool called SE Ranking Location Changer. This tool alone has generated almost 150 referring domains and 250 backlinks. That’s a lot of SEO juice from a single tool!

Or take Ahrefs‘ Free Keyword Generator tool. It’s a powerhouse that has generated over 3,000 referring domains and a whopping 10,000 backlinks. Talk about a link building machine!

The point I’m making here is this: creating a free tool that’s relevant to your product can be a fantastic way to attract backlinks passively.

It’s like setting up a link building strategy that runs on autopilot. Plus, it can also attract more customers to your business.

In essence, it’s a way to leverage your existing experience and resources to get high-quality backlinks.

So, if you’ve got the resources to create a free tool, it’s definitely a strategy worth considering. After all, who doesn’t love a freebie? Especially when it comes with the added bonus of boosting your SEO!

Creating an Effective Link Building Plan

Before you dive headfirst into link building, it’s crucial to have a plan. A well-crafted link building plan is like a roadmap for your SEO journey.

It helps you navigate the complex world of link building, ensuring you consistently deliver high-quality backlinks while minimizing the risk of penalties from Google.

Creating an effective link building plan depends on several factors. These include the resources you have at your disposal, your budget, the level of competition in your industry, and the strategy for monitoring backlinks to assess their impact.

It’s about finding the right balance between these factors to maximize the benefits of link building.

The goal is to select the right strategies, determine how many backlinks you can safely build, and figure out how to handle other aspects of link building to maximize your gains.

It’s about making the most of what you have to get where you want to go.

Now, I won’t go into the nitty-gritty of creating a link building plan in this article. For a detailed step-by-step guide, you can visit my other article.

But the key takeaway here is this: if you want to succeed in link building for your SaaS business, you need a plan.

So, before you start building links, start building a plan. It’s the first step towards link building success.

SaaS Link Building Best Practices & Common Mistakes to Avoid

And the very last thing I want you to leave with is a set of best practices for link building specifically tailored to SaaS websites.

These are some of the most important link building best practices that will help you to avoid any common link building mistakes and get you the best results:

• Outsource What You Can: Link building is a tedious and long process and if you don’t have the team, it’s better and more profitable to outsource it. Especially guest posting.
• Understand the Cost of Link Building: Link building will make up a significant part of your SEO budget. Understanding that the average cost for a good quality backlink is between $200-$1,000 will help you plan your budget.

• Start Building Homepage Backlinks First: If your site is small with limited content and backlinks, focus on building homepage backlinks first. This establishes a solid foundation for you to expand from.
• Focus on Building Branded Backlinks: Branded backlinks not only increase your brand visibility but also contribute positively to your domain authority.
• Follow the Anchor Text Ratio:Striking a balance in your anchor text distribution plays a crucial role in maintaining a natural link profile and avoiding search engine penalties.

• Never Repeat the Same Anchor Text: Avoid using the exact match anchor text repeatedly as it can come across as spammy and lead to penalties.
• Don’t Build More Than 1% Backlinks Weekly: Stick to a 1% maximum limit based on your total number of referring domains. For instance, if you have 100 referring domains, aim to build only 1 backlink a week.
• Always Build Backlinks on Websites with Organic Traffic: Ensure the website you’re seeking a backlink from has a decent traffic count (preferably a minimum of 1,000). This indicates the site’s credibility in Google’s eyes.

• Always Build Backlinks Only on Relevant Sites: Quality over quantity should be your mantra. Seek backlinks from sites relevant to your niche.
• Try to Only Get Backlinks From Content Relevant to Your Niche/Industry: This is paramount to maintaining relevancy and driving quality, targeted traffic.
• Focus On Website Location of Traffic: If your goal is to draw traffic from a specific country or region, consider the geographical location of your prospective linking sites.

• Don’t Build More than 10% More Backlinks According to SERPs: Keep your backlink count within 10% of the referring domains of the top-ranking page for your target keyword.
• Reach Out to Prospects with Similar Website Authority: When initiating link building, target prospects with similar website authority (+/-10) to maximize mutual benefits.

• Reach Out to Prospects with Similar Website Authority: When initiating link building, target prospects with similar website authority (+/-10) to maximize mutual benefits.
• Stay Patient and Consistent: Link building is not a quick fix but a long-term investment. Stay patient and consistent with your efforts, and the results will come in due course.
• Diversify Your Link Building Techniques: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Make use of various link-building techniques to diversify your link profile and maximize results.

Conclusion

Link building for SaaS is essential for two things.

First, you need backlinks to rank for the best money keywords, to generate signups and customers.

And second, you want to make it as hard and expensive as possible for your competitors to outrank you.

Through this, you create bigger barriers to the market and establish yourself as one of the go-to resources within your niche.

Just try to outrank Monday or ClickUp… That will be a hell of an expensive journey…

FAQs about Link Building for SaaS

In this section we are going to answer the most common questions regarding SaaS link building:

Related Articles:

• SaaS Lead Generation for B2B & B2C: 14 Proven Strategies, Tips & Best Practices from My Clients!
• How to Generate Sales Leads Without Cold Calling? (10 Effective Strategies)
• New Style Tiered Link Building That Actually Works
• Blogger Outreach: The Right and Not Spammy Way
• B2B SEO Strategy: 8 Steps to Effectively Generate Leads and Organic Traffic

Also, check out our SEO hub page to find all our SEO Resources.

Disclaimer

This article was created by Eduard Dziak and may contain affiliate links. The following were used to optimize the article for the best user and search engine experience include:

• SE Ranking for keyword research and on-page SEO optimization
• Surfer SEO for SEO-friendly content creation for users and search engines.
• Jasper AI for grammar correction and information enhancement.

The article is based on the author’s own experience and knowledge, drawn from both their own work and that of their clients, to provide the latest, proven methods.