Link Building Pricing: Your Ultimate Guide

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, link building remains a fundamental pillar for enhancing a website's visibility and authority. Understanding the significance of this practice in modern SEO strategies is crucial for anyone seeking to establish a strong online presence. 

Let’s take a look below at the importance of link building and shed light on the current dynamics of link building pricing.

 Understanding the Pricing Scale for Link Building

Are you contemplating investing in link building for your website? Understanding the costs associated with this vital aspect of SEO is essential for making informed decisions. If you're considering outsourcing your link building efforts, understanding the typical pricing scale is crucial. Here's an overview to give you a sense of what to expect:

Pricing for Link Building Services

The cost per link in link building services can vary depending on the industry and assuming a good quality link

  • Low end pricing: 250 to $350

Typically seen in industries such as charities or gaming

  • Mid-range pricing: $350 to $600

Commonly observed in competitive sectors like tech, legal, and real estate

  • Expensive end pricing:  $600 to $1500+

Notably high in tough industries like finance, casino, and healthcare

Pricing Based on Domain Rating (DR) and Domain Authority (DA)

Another common way link building costs are calculated is by looking at a website's scores like Domain Rating (DR) or Domain Authority (DA). Think of these scores like a rating for a restaurant—people use them to get an idea of a website's quality, even though they're not perfect. Imagine it like this: You might pay between $100 to $1,500 or even more for a link, depending on how good the website's rating is. Now, let's break it down a bit:

When it comes to link quality, the cost can vary based on the Ahrefs Domain Rating (DR):

  • $300-350 - DR 40
  • $350-450 - DR 50
  • $450=+ DR60+

It's worth noting that Domain Rating (DR) is similar to Domain Authority (DA), which is another widely used metric by Moz.

SEO Linx Packages

Our monthly link building packages provide a fully managed service, so that you can focus on other aspects of SEO.
All of our packages and plans include detailed strategy & bespoke outreach.

Lynx Leap

$1,997 /Month

For emerging businesses ready to make their mark.

  • Comprehensive Link Audit for up to 25 pages.
  • 10 High-Quality, Manual Outreach Backlinks.
  • Competitor Backlink Analysis (Up to 3 Competitors).
  • Monthly Link Acquisition Report.
  • Dedicated Account Manager.
Subscribe

Lynx Prowl

$4,997 /Month

The perfect boost for SMEs aiming to expand their digital footprint.

  • Comprehensive Link Audit for up to 100 pages.
  • 30 High-Quality, Manual Outreach Backlinks.
  • Competitor Backlink Analysis (Up to 5 Competitors).
  • Advanced Anchor Text Optimization.
  • Guest Post Outreach (3 Premium Guest Posts Included).
  • Bi-Weekly Link Acquisition Report.
  • Priority Email Support.
  • Dedicated Account Manager.
Subscribe

Lynx Roar

Recommended

$9,997 /Month

The game-changer for established businesses looking for dominance.

  • Comprehensive Link Audit for Unlimited Pages.
  • 75 High-Quality, Manual Outreach Backlinks.
  • Competitor Backlink Analysis (Unlimited Competitors).
  • Advanced Anchor Text Optimization & Strategy.
  • Guest Post Outreach (10 Premium Guest Posts Included).
  • Content Marketing Strategy & Recommendations.
  • Weekly Link Acquisition Report.
  • Priority Email & Phone Support.
  • Dedicated Senior Account Manager.
Subscribe

Lynx Sovereign

$19,997 /Month

The ultimate solution for companies that accept nothing less than the apex.

  • Comprehensive Link Audit for Unlimited Pages.
  • 200 High-Quality, Manual Outreach Backlinks.
  • Competitor Backlink Analysis (Unlimited Competitors).
  • Advanced Anchor Text Optimization & Elite Strategy.
  • Guest Post Outreach (25 Premium Guest Posts Included).
  • Custom Content Marketing Strategy & Execution.
  • Real-time Link Acquisition Dashboard Access.
  • 24/7 Priority Support with Dedicated Elite Account Manager.
  • Exclusive Access to SEO Linx Webinars & Resources.
  • Monthly Strategy & Performance Review with SEO Experts.
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A word of caution: beware of link farms.

These are setups where vendors sell individual links like guest posts, but the websites hosting them are low-quality and exist primarily for this purpose.

These are commonly referred to as "link farms."

If someone offers you a link with a Domain Authority (DA) of 70 at a seemingly low price of $100, be cautious. I can assure you that such a website is not worth your investment. This issue has escalated in recent years, with websites being transformed into link farms. They may display fake SEO metrics to give the impression of value.

If you opt for buying one-time links, it's crucial to thoroughly assess these websites in advance to ensure they're genuine and receive good quality organic traffic. Always choose a reputable vendor.

 In-House vs Agency Pricing: Which is the Better Deal?

Are you keen on link building and considering whether to build your own in-house team or hire an agency? Let's dig into the costs and benefits of both!

In-House Team: What's it Going to Cost You?

  • Link Building Manager: Running your own link-building squad isn't a small feat. You'll need a seasoned Link Building Manager to steer the ship. In major U.S. cities, that can cost a minimum of $60,000 a year, and even if you find top talent overseas, it'll still set you back at least $30,000 annually.
  • Don't forget the Link Building Assistants - you'll need a couple. These pros help with finding potential targets, personalising communications, and reaching out. Even if you hire from a lower cost-of-living country, you're looking at around $15,000 per assistant annually.
  • Then there's the Guest Post Writer, a vital role for quality content. A skilled writer from the U.S. might charge about $0.20 per word, making a 2,000-word guest post roughly $400. If you aim for 10 of these a month, that's about $4,000 per month.

Link Costs: You'll also need to budget for the actual link costs. To have a meaningful link-building campaign, allocate around $25,000 a year for links. Yes, most people pay for links in some way or another!

Software is another expense. From Ahrefs to outreach and email-finding tools, let's set aside about $6,000 a year.
All in all, this amounts to approximately $177,000 per year, assuming you're actively aiming for a minimum of 30 links per month, or 360 links per year.

As we can see, the costs can pile up quickly if you're going the in-house route. Without a dedicated team putting in serious time and effort, success might elude you.

And that's where agencies come into play…

Outsourcing to an Agency: How Much Will It Set You Back?

The cost of agency services varies depending on the agency you choose:

  • Major Content Marketing Agencies: For a comprehensive service, you might pay anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 for a single campaign. However, be wary; link quality isn't always guaranteed.
  • Specialist Link Building Agencies: These vary greatly in price and quality. Expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000+ per month based on your needs.
  • Freelancers: Freelancers usually charge an hourly rate of $50-$100. But keep in mind; they'll expect you to handle additional expenses like writers, link payments, and software.

At SEO Linx, we offer various link-building packages at different price points. Specialist link-building agencies like ours often charge less, especially when the link volume increases. We also offer white label link building to other agencies at slightly reduced rates.

However, remember there are agencies that opt for a price per link model, providing guest posts for a set price - often called guest posting services.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Link building is vital for SEO, but it's a significant investment. Most successful brands with an SEO team generating online traffic actively engage in link-building activities, whether in-house or outsourced.

Before diving into link building, plan ahead. Consider the pages and keywords you want to impact, develop a prioritised list, and research your competitors to understand what it'll take to outshine them.

Planning and budgeting are paramount for a successful link-building project. Establish realistic goals and expectations to build a framework that works for you.

Understanding Link Costs through Research

As a link building agency making a living from this work, it's important to consider what various studies say about the costs in the link building realm.

  • According to Ahrefs, the typical cost of purchasing a backlink from a website averages about $361.44 (excluding labour and outreach costs) - You can find more details 
  • Siege Media, a highly reputable content marketing agency, suggests that a fair and sustainable price per link over the long term is approximately $500 - More insights can be found here.
  • Another study by Authority Hacker involved a practical assessment of five different services, revealing guest post prices ranging from $150 at the lower end to $1,000 at the higher end - Further information can be found here.
Keyword research

Factors Affecting Link Cost: What You Need to Know

The cost of getting a link depends on several factors:
  • Content Quality: Exceptional content attracts more links. Rich, unique, and visually appealing content increases the likelihood of getting linked.
  • Creative Approach: Some brands have rigid guidelines on how they want to be perceived, impacting link building. Being creative in outreach emails can also affect costs.
  • Brand Reputation: Reputable brands receive a higher response rate, making link building more cost-effective.
  • Link Quality: The source and quality of the link influence its price. Larger, well-established publications are harder to earn links from and are more valuable to Google.
  • Industry: The industry you're in can significantly affect link costs. Industries like personal finance often demand higher fees for links, while more link-friendly industries may have lower costs.

Industries and Their Link Building Dynamics

High Link Cost Industries:

  • Casino & Gambling: Linking often involves financial partnerships or payments due to limited free linking opportunities.
  • Loans: In a booming internet loan industry, acquiring links without exceptional content can be challenging and costly.
  • Finance: High competition with numerous proposals from financially robust companies, links often involve financial negotiations.
  • Real Estate: Particularly competitive for local companies lacking extensive content; sponsorships or payments for links are common.

Middling Link Cost Industries:

  • SaaS (Software as a Service): Despite creating excellent content, competition is high, making link building a competitive task within this saturated area.
  • Technology: Vast industry with high demand for content and link opportunities; however, competition among intelligent bloggers is intense.
  • Nutrition & Food: Instagram influencers and a plethora of brands make it challenging to acquire reasonably priced links in this space.
  • Legal: Legal industry demands high-quality knowledge and content, often resulting in relatively higher costs for links.

Low Link Cost Industries:

  • Hobbyist Type Sites (e.g., Films): Sites focusing on content and education tend to perform well in link building efforts.
  • Video Games: The high demand for video game content and a sharing culture make link acquisition relatively easier.
  • Charities: Associations with helping society and people in need encourage links due to the sense of contributing to a cause.
  • Education: Information-rich content in the education sector provides ample opportunities for link building at scale.
  • Childcare or Helping Those in Need: Content related to aiding society or individuals tends to attract links due to the altruistic nature of the subject matter.

Elevate Your Website's Reach with Professional Link Building Services

In today's vast online landscape, establishing a robust digital presence is vital for success. SEO link building services provide a strategic approach to enhance your website's visibility and credibility. These services, equipped with tailored strategies and industry expertise, can unlock your website's true potential, ensuring each link obtained is a valuable step towards greater authority and recognition.

Ready to enhance your online influence? Begin by utilising our professional link building services. Explore SEOLink.co now to learn how our specialised strategies can expand your website's reach and make a lasting impact.