Do you have a brilliant SaaS product but need help to drive enough organic traffic to your website to win new clients? Or maybe you’re looking for a sustainable way of generating leads in the long run.
If you can relate, then search engine optimization should be your key focus. Through effective link building, you can get links from top websites in your niche and direct relevant leads to your website.
However, getting the said authoritative links is no easy task. In this post, we’ll explore proven SaaS link building strategies that you can use to build high-quality backlinks, drive targeted referral website traffic, and improve your domain rating (DR) and search presence.
The importance of link building for SaaS companies
The SaaS industry is growing at an unprecedented pace with new players emerging rapidly. In 2022, it was valued at $261 billion and is expected to reach over $829 billion in 2031, which is a huge growth.
To stay on top of your game and ensure a high online visibility for your website, you need to focus on SEO. As such, link building is one of the top Google ranking factors and can help considerably improve your site’s SEO performance.
More targeted monthly traffic leads to more leads and signups for your SaaS business, which translates into more monthly recurring revenue (MRR).
9 SaaS link building strategies that SEO pros rely on
Here are some tried-and-tested strategies for link building for SaaS companies:
1. Guest posting on SaaS websites
Guest posting is an evergreen way of link building for SaaS companies. The idea is to get your content published on authoritative websites in the SaaS niche and use links to direct relevant traffic to your website.
For this strategy to work, you must publish high-quality content on relevant and authoritative websites. Randomly guest posting on any website that allows it is not the way to go if you want to attract relevant traffic.
Since people who visit these niche SaaS websites might be interested in your product, bringing them to your website should be your focus. Prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to referral traffic.
However, getting a guest posting opportunity on top websites in your niche is not easy as they can pick and choose only the best bloggers.
Here are a couple of tips to get the best SaaS guest-posting opportunities:
- Start by creating a high-quality blog on your website, where you post relevant and in-depth content on trending topics within your niche. Outsource SEO copywriting services if you don’t have the in-house capability to do so.
- Follow the Skyscraper technique to find the top-ranking content and create something better than that to improve your chances of ranking.
- In your email pitch, link to your blog and showcase your expertise.
- Also, don’t forget to mention your blog traffic and offer a guest post exchange that is mutually beneficial.
- Lastly, mention the other website you write for and any success stories that improve your chances.
Here is a sample template you can use for your guest posting email pitches:
Subject Line: Writing for [Company’s name] – Experienced Marketer
Hi [Name], I am [Name], a/the [Designation] for/of [Company Name]. I regularly write for SaaS companies, with features on Snov, Statusbrew, G2, and more. An article I wrote for CoSchedule generates 500+ extra views per month and ranks #1 for “marketing research strategy.” I’m looking to discuss guest post opportunities. I can share topic ideas aligned with your content strategy or write on a topic of your choice. Interested? Best, [Signature] |
Pro tip: In your guest post pitches, always share examples to showcase what your content is capable of 一 views, likes, traffic, or ranking positions.
2. Free product giveaway for a backlink
This is one of the lesser-known SaaS link building strategies that only a few know of and benefit from.
Here’s how it works: You offer a potential collaborator free access to your SaaS product, of course for a specific duration. In exchange, you ask them to add a link to your website in one of their authoritative or top-ranking blog posts.
In fact, you can provide the link, anchor text, and the article where they can insert it in, to make their job easier. This will further sweeten the deal for them as they don’t have to put in any effort to get access to a free SaaS product.
Here’s an excellent example of incorporating this SaaS link building strategy in action:
3. Listicle link building for SaaS companies
Building backlinks through listicles is one of the most powerful SaaS link-building strategies you can and must leverage.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Find tool listicles and tool alternative posts on top websites within your SaaS niche.
- You send a pitch to include your tool in a specific listicle with clear reasons why it’s a great fit.
- If you want top rankings on such listicles, you may get sponsored listings or offer some incentive for them to do so.
When your SaaS product is mentioned on tool listicles on reputable websites, people interested in buying such tools consider it among their top choices. When it’s added along with a link, you can drive relevant traffic and leads to your website to learn more about your SaaS product.
For example, we got Statusbrew added to a top-ranking “Hootsuite alternatives” article. Anyone who searches for the keyword would find our tool among the top alternatives and consider it when making a purchase.
Here’s a screenshot of the post where we mentioned Statusbrew among the top alternatives to Hootsuite:
4. ABC link exchanges
If you’re looking for SaaS link building strategies that deliver quick results, opt for ABC link exchange.
It’s simple: Two or more websites form a collaborative network where they link to each other, without any direct link exchange. So, in the case of three websites, site A will link to site B, which will link to site C, and then site C will link back to site A.
Here’s a visual representation of the ABC link exchange concept:
Since this is non-reciprocal link building and there’s no one-on-one exchange, search engines can’t track or flag this as unethical link building.
Pro tip: Avoid engaging in two-way or direct link exchanges as Google can easily track those and penalize your website for trying to manipulate search engine rankings.
5. Link building through communities
Another great way to build backlinks to your SaaS website is by joining online link building or networking communities. You can join niche-specific communities on platforms like Slack and Discord to network with others in your niche. Many of these communities offer great link exchanges and link building opportunities.
The Backlink Masterminds Slack community by SAASY LINKS is a great example. It’s meant for people who want to build links for SaaS companies and have members from reputable companies within the niche.
6. Relationship building with other SaaS link builders
Just like you’re responsible for building backlinks to your SaaS website, there would be people within other companies doing the same. You have similar goals and can help each other with your link building goals.
This strategy involves a more direct networking approach where you reach out to and form relationships with other link builders within the SaaS community.
You can use professional networking platforms like LinkedIn or contact databases to find the right people. Then, send them a pitch, similar to how you’d do for guest posting.
Mayuri Bhoyar, for instance, is a SaaS link building collaboration expert who can help you get top-tier links for your SaaS websites. She specializes in identifying prime websites and link placements and follows up to ensure a quick turnaround time.
While partnering with SaaS link builders for building backlinks, you should also offer to add some of their links on your blog or in your guest posts on relevant websites. However, do this in a staggered manner and don’t do simultaneous direct link swaps.
For instance, one month they add a link to your website and the next you may return the favor. The idea is not to make it obvious to search engines that you’re engaging in a link swap.
That said, here’s an example of an email pitch you can use to help other SaaS link builders:
7. Relevant roundup participation
Expert roundups are posts where you compile a list of tactics or quotes from experts within a niche. These roundup articles focus on one topic or question, requesting industry experts to provide their insights.
Since such roundups give credit to each expert, typically accompanied by a link to their websites, getting yourself featured in such roundups is a great link building strategy.
Here’s an example of a SaaS expert roundup where each contributor is rewarded with a credit and a link:
Pro tip: Ensure your expert roundup answer provides value and mentions your SaaS product in the best light without being salesy.
8. SaaS blogger outreach
If you’re looking for simple, yet effective, SaaS link building strategies, then try blogger outreach. Find prominent influencers and bloggers within your niche with a significant monthly website traffic and an audience similar to yours.
Ask them for brand mentions and links to relevant resources on your website via a personalized email outreach. Clearly mention how linking to your website will benefit their audience and provide real value.
If you have a great tool or learning resource on your website, most bloggers would be happy to link to it if it benefits their audience.
9. Hiring a SaaS link building agency
Lastly, you should consider hiring a SaaS link building agency like Marveta to get quicker and better results.
We have been in business for years and have a strong network of partner websites. We can help you get links from some of the top websites in the SaaS niche, which would be almost impossible for you to get on your own.
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach and design a custom link building strategy for each client. This includes relevant link placements, target keywords, and optimal keyword variations in anchor text.
Whatever your link building goals may be, we help you achieve them with our network and expertise.
Key takeaways from our proven SaaS link building strategies
Link building for SaaS requires a more specialized approach as you need to build links from some of the most authoritative websites, which can be picky.
Using professional networking to build industry relationships and mutually beneficial collaborations goes a long way in your link building efforts. Another effective strategy is offering limited-time access to your SaaS product in exchange for backlinks.
Lastly, leverage professional SaaS link building services and useful link building tools to streamline your efforts. Hire Marveta 一 a leading link building agency for SaaS businesses to create a custom strategy based on your goals and preferences.