Without quality backlinks, your website is invisible. You can have the best content, but without strong links pointing to it, Google won’t see your site as an authority. That means lower rankings, less traffic, and missed opportunities.
But building backlinks isn’t easy. Finding the right opportunities, running outreach campaigns, and tracking results take time, expertise, and connections. Doing it in-house can drain your resources, slow execution, and lead to costly trial and error.
Outsourcing solves this problem. The right experts can secure high-quality backlinks that improve rankings, drive organic traffic, and build your brand’s credibility without the hassle.
This guide will show you how to outsource backlink building the right way so you save costs while driving real results.
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What does it mean to outsource link building?
Outsourcing link building is like hiring a personal trainer for your website’s SEO. You could do it yourself, but your time is better spent elsewhere. Experts use their skills and connections to secure high-quality backlinks, strengthening your brand’s presence in organic search.
Link building outsourcing means hiring experts or agencies to manage your backlink strategy. They find opportunities, handle outreach, and secure placements to strengthen your site’s authority and rankings.
When should you outsource your link building?
Just because outsourcing link building drives long-term results doesn’t mean it’s the right move for everyone. Before making a decision, assess your current operations, resources, and goals to determine if outsourcing aligns with your needs.
You need faster results
If your current strategy feels like running on a treadmill with lots of effort and little progress, outsourcing will help.
Many businesses struggle to secure high-quality backlinks or lack a structured outreach process. Even with great content, rankings often stall without the right links to build authority and drive organic growth.
You have limited in-house expertise
Securing high-quality backlinks can be difficult if you don’t plan to hire full-time SEOs and your team lacks expertise.
Finding the right opportunities requires skill, and outdated strategies can hurt your rankings. Outsourcing gives you access to experts who build links faster, more effectively, and with long-term impact.
“If your team is small and link building keeps falling to the bottom of your to-do list, it’s time to outsource. I’ve worked with many startups that wasted months trying to do it all in-house. Specialists get results faster and more consistently.” — Christine Orchard, Head of Marketing at Arc
You want to save time and money
Building an in-house link-building team may not be practical if you have a limited budget but bigger goals. Training your existing team takes time, and hiring full-time specialists is costly.
Outsourcing gives you access to experts without long-term commitments, allowing you to scale as needed. Since they have existing connections, a reliable partner can secure quality backlinks and deliver results faster than an internal team starting from scratch.
You want to scale link building efforts
With the tough competition in the tech industry, one or two links a month mean you’re lagging behind. Scaling link building requires consistent effort, but if your team is already stretched thin, keeping up can be challenging.
Expanding into new markets adds another layer of complexity, demanding a broader outreach strategy that can be hard to manage in-house.
You need niche-specific backlinks
Not all backlinks add value. Links from authoritative, relevant sources are essential for building credibility and improving rankings.
If it’s been a struggle to secure contextual, high-value backlinks, outsourcing to specialists with existing relationships in your niche can make a big difference.
Steps to outsource backlink building
Once you decide to outsource, the next step is finding the right partner and setting yourself up for success. A solid foundation ensures that the links you acquire actually contribute to your SEO goals. Here’s how to do it right.
Check if your website is ready for link building
Before investing in link building, ensure your website is technically optimized. It should load quickly, be mobile-friendly, and have a secure connection. High-quality content is also necessary, as reputable sites are more likely to link to valuable, well-crafted content.
Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor progress and strengthen internal links to ensure new backlinks have maximum impact.
Define your goals and budget
Clarity on objectives makes outsourcing more effective. Whether the goal is to increase domain authority, improve rankings, or drive organic traffic, it’s important to determine the types of backlinks that will support those outcomes.
Guest posts, niche edits, and HARO links each serve different purposes. Setting measurable KPIs helps track success, and a well-planned budget ensures you invest in links that actually deliver results.
Research and shortlist link building providers
Not all link-building providers deliver quality results. Evaluate agencies, freelancers, and platforms based on their experience, case studies, and client testimonials. A trustworthy provider will have a proven track record of securing high-quality, relevant backlinks.
Checking their past work helps verify whether they use ethical, white-hat SEO practices rather than risky tactics that could hurt your rankings.
With Arc, you can speed up this step and reduce hiring errors since Arc connects you with pre-vetted link builders. HireAI matches you with link builders whose profiles align with your specific requirements, ensuring you find the right expertise quickly and efficiently.
Set expectations and collaborate
A clear agreement on deliverables, timelines, and backlink volume prevents misunderstandings. Defining communication and reporting standards ensures transparency throughout the process.
Sharing brand guidelines and anchor text preferences helps maintain consistency while aligning backlinks with your content strategy ensures they provide real value. Outreach efforts should also be monitored to protect your brand’s reputation.
Monitor performance and adjust as needed
Tracking backlinks is essential for assessing impact. Continuously monitoring your link-building campaigns helps identify potential risks, such as certain sites attracting low-quality or spammy links to your website.
Keeping a close watch on your backlink profile ensures that your link-building efforts strengthen your authority rather than expose you to penalties.
How much does it cost to outsource backlink building
Outsourcing link building is like a gym membership. You can go budget-friendly or invest in top-tier expertise. The right choice depends on your goals, timeline, and quality expectations. Here’s what you can expect.
Average cost range
Freelancers in the US typically charge $16 to $50 per hour, but rates vary by quality and region. Agencies, with their structured link building processes and larger networks, can charge $150 for 1–3 links to $5,000+ for full link-building campaigns.
Factors influencing link building cost
- Type of links: Guest posts, niche edits, and HARO links vary in price based on effort and value.
- Link quality: High-authority sites charge more for placements, but they offer better SEO benefits.
- Industry competition: Competitive industries like SaaS and GenAI tend to have higher costs than niche blogs.
- Link volume: Providers offering bulk link-building services may seem cost-effective, but quality should always come first.
- Provider experience: Seasoned link building experts charge more but often deliver stronger, more reliable results.
Additional costs to consider
- Content creation: If your site lacks link-worthy content, you may need to budget for blog posts or landing pages.
- Outreach efforts: Building relationships with site owners takes time and may come with additional costs.
- Tracking tools: SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush require subscriptions to monitor progress effectively.
How to select the best link building service for tech companies
You cannot pick a link-building provider blindly. They all differ in experience, tactics, ethics, and industry focus. Choosing the right one means looking beyond price and focusing on expertise, reliability, and alignment with your link building needs. Here’s how to find the right fit.
Setting your criteria
Link building for tech businesses requires a provider who understands your industry. The right link building partner will know where to secure valuable links for cybersecurity, fintech, or AI companies.
Look for success stories or case studies that match your niche. If they have delivered results for similar businesses, they can likely do the same for you.
“In tech, link building isn’t just about authority. It’s about relevance. I’ve seen too many companies waste their budget on backlinks from generic business blogs that do nothing. If the site isn’t respected in your industry, the link won’t move the needle.” — Christine Orchard, Head of Marketing at Arc
Types of backlink building services: Agencies vs freelancers
Agencies offer structure, scalability, and access to high-authority sites, making it easier to secure quality backlinks at scale. They are ideal for long-term strategies and hands-off link acquisition. However, their higher costs may not suit you if you have a limited budget.
Freelancers offer flexibility and lower costs, making them ideal for businesses needing a few high-quality links without a big financial commitment. They provide personalized attention but may lack the resources to scale.
Arc offers backlink services with the quality of a link building agency but at a lower cost. It connects you with interview-ready experts who have relevant experience and strong communication skills. You pay for the work but receive Silicon Valley-level results.
Key questions to ask providers
Ask about their strategies for tech companies. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work in competitive industries. Request past work examples with metrics like domain authority, organic traffic growth, or ranking improvements.
Transparency is key. If they are vague about their methods, it’s a red flag.
Here are six questions to test their expertise:
- How do you ensure links come from sites that actually impact rankings, not just increase backlink counts?
- Can you walk me through a recent successful link-building campaign and its results?
- What do you do if a site removes or nofollows a link after placement?
- How do you adjust your strategy when Google updates its algorithm?
- What’s one link-building tactic you no longer use, and why?
- What other metrics besides website’s authority do you use to assess a site’s quality and relevance?
Communication and reporting practices
Clear communication and detailed reporting are key to a successful link-building campaign. Set expectations on report frequency and the metrics included, such as referral traffic, search rankings, and link placements.
Reliable providers track progress using keyword research, outreach tools, or custom dashboards. Monitoring link partners, request status, and campaign performance ensures transparency and allows for data-driven adjustments to maximize results.
Tracking the effectiveness of your outsourced efforts
Outsourcing link building is great, but how do you know if it’s actually working? You need to track results, tweak your approach, and ensure you’re getting what you paid for. Here’s how to stay on top of it.
Use analytical tools
SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush help track backlinks, assess domain authority, and identify which links drive the most traffic. Google Analytics shows whether those links are bringing in real visitors or just sitting there without impact.
Rankings typically improve within 3 to 6 months, depending on link quality, competition, and site authority. If traffic, rankings, or engagement don’t improve after a few months, it’s time to refine your strategy or adjust your content approach.
Focus on quality over quantity
More isn’t always better. A few high-authority links will outperform hundreds of low-quality ones. In fact, 37% of backlink experts consider 1–9 quality links per campaign a success. If your provider is delivering large volumes with little impact, they may be taking shortcuts.
Many low-quality backlinks might give your rankings a temporary lift, but they can also increase your spam score, dilute your brand’s credibility, and make your site vulnerable to Google penalties. Bad links can do more harm than good, so quality control is key.
Report regularly and adjust
Review reports regularly to ensure your link-building efforts are producing the desired results. Request a breakdown of key metrics such as referral traffic, keyword rankings, domain authority growth, visitor engagement, and brand mentions.
If rankings stall or traffic drops, assess backlink quality, refine your outreach approach, or shift focus to more relevant link opportunities. SEO is constantly evolving, and adapting your strategy ensures long-term success.
Stay ahead in the evolving SEO landscape
SEO is constantly evolving, and what works today may be obsolete tomorrow. With Google rolling out seven updates in 2024 alone, future-proofing your link-building strategy is necessary to maintain long-term growth. Here’s what your provider needs to focus on.
- Ever-changing algorithms: Google updates can shake up rankings overnight. Diversify your link sources and avoid quick-fix tactics to protect against sudden shifts.
- Advanced tools and AI: Automation streamlines outreach, but personalized, high-value link building still delivers the best results.
- Adapting to SEO practices: User experience and mobile-first indexing impact rankings. Optimizing for speed, accessibility, and voice search ensures backlinks drive real results.
Mistakes to avoid with outsourced link building services
From wasted budgets to penalties that damage your rankings, choosing the wrong provider can undermine your SEO progress. Here’s what to watch out for.
Choosing quick-fix providers
If a provider promises fast, dramatic results, be skeptical. SEO is a long-term game, and shortcuts often involve black-hat tactics that invite Google penalties. Bad backlinks can tank your rankings and wipe out your traffic entirely.
A surge of low-quality links raises red flags with search engines, leading to long-term damage. Work with providers who focus on ethical, high-quality link building that builds lasting authority and stability.
Picking the cheapest service provider
You get what you pay for. Low-cost providers often rely on private blog networks (PBNs), link farms, and other risky tactics that offer little SEO value and can even lead to penalties.
Cutting corners now can create bigger problems later. Instead of opting for cheap, low-quality services, find smarter ways to reduce costs.
Hiring an expert link builder outside the US allows you to maintain quality while staying within budget. On Arc, every candidate is rigorously vetted, ensuring you hire confidently and get top-tier results, regardless of their location.
Overlooking backlink quality
Not all links are created equal. Backlinks from respected, high-authority sites in your industry carry real weight, but domain authority alone doesn’t guarantee quality.
Many sites have high domain authority yet engage in spammy practices or have low editorial standards, making their links less valuable or even risky. If your new links come from irrelevant or questionable sources, it’s a red flag.
Always evaluate placements based on relevance, competitor research, content quality, and traffic, not just website’s authority. A well-placed link on a niche, trusted site often outperforms one on a high domain authority but a low-quality domain.
Overlooking niche expertise
A provider experienced in your niche, whether SaaS, edtech, or real estate, knows where to secure the most impactful backlinks. They know which authoritative sites matter in your industry and how to craft outreach strategies that drive good engagement.
Generic link-building services may lack this insight, leading to irrelevant placements that add little value.
For example, links to e-commerce product pages require link building expertise in ranking transactional content. Similarly, securing backlinks for SaaS companies demands a deep understanding of industry-specific publications and thought leadership platforms.
Not tracking campaign progress
If your provider doesn’t monitor campaign performance, you might be missing out. Backlink campaigns require ongoing tracking to measure their true impact.
Reviewing backlink quality, referral traffic, spam score, and keyword rankings ensures your SEO strategy delivers results. If rankings and traffic aren’t improving, reassess your approach, refine outreach efforts, and focus on high-value link opportunities.
How Arc Connects You with Top Backlink Builders
Arc access to expert backlink services at a fraction of the cost. Instead of overpaying for big-name firms or gambling on unvetted freelancers, Arc connects you with top-tier link-building experts who deliver real results. Here’s why it works:
- Vetted talent only: No guesswork, no spammy tactics. Arc’s rigorous screening process ensures you work with the top 2% of backlink specialists.
- Quick matches with HireAI: Get matched with qualified experts in seconds, so you can start building high-quality links without delay.
- Global savings: Hire top talent from 190+ countries and cut costs by up to 80%, without sacrificing quality.
- Flexible options: Whether you need a freelancer for a one-time campaign or a dedicated team for ongoing link building, Arc has a model that fits.
With Arc, you don’t have to waste time on low-quality providers or ineffective strategies. Get expert-backed, results-driven link building and watch your rankings grow.
Next steps: Run a high-impact backlink campaign
The right links drive rankings, traffic, and long-term authority, while low-quality ones can do more harm than good. Tracking performance, refining strategies, and working with experienced professionals ensure sustainable search engine rankings.
Arc connects you with top-tier backlink specialists who deliver agency-level results at lower costs. With vetted experts, flexible hiring options, and AI-powered matching, you can launch a high-impact link-building campaign today without hassle.
