Why don’t SEO experts go broke? Because they always find a link! 

Just as companies seek high-value assets, SEO experts seek quality links. These links are essential for improving a website’s performance. Link building helps your site gain authority. When many reputable sites link to yours, it’s a sign of approval. Search engine machines see these links and think: oh, people on the Internet value this site. Let’s put it higher in the search ranking!

Higher rankings mean more visibility. More visibility leads to more visitors. These visitors can become leads and revenue.

The Value of Backlinks

Along with other metrics, backlinks are an important ranking factor in Google’s algorithm. They act as endorsements from other sites. Google and other search engines consider high quality backlinks as a sign of your website’s importance. This endorsement helps to increase the authority of your site. It signals to Google and others: put this site on the first page of search results, it has something to share!

You can’t conquer the first page of Google with backlinks alone. Just as it’s impossible to do so without backlinks. Recent studies show that 97.7 percent of websites that rank on the first page of Google have at least 100 backlinks. At the same time, about 52.3% of digital marketers call link building the most challenging aspect of SEO.

A well-optimized site with quality backlinks is seen as trustworthy. This trust boosts your domain authority, the same as niche expertise does. Domain authority is a key factor for ranking well. The latter, in turn, drives more organic traffic to your site.

Be aware, though, that a diverse backlink profile is also important. It’s not just about the number of links, but their variety. Getting links from various sources helps keep your SEO efforts natural. A varied backlink profile looks organic to search engines. This reduces the risk of penalties and helps maintain good SEO performance.

Types of Backlinks and Their Costs

Guest Posts

Guest posts are articles written for other websites, but not just any articles. They always include a link back to your site. This link back is usually the whole point of writing those articles in the first place. You have probably seen lots and lots of guest posts already, some of them more noticeable than others. Using this method, you build credibility of your site by associating it with (more) reputable sources. Guest posts can target specific fresh audiences and help drive this targeted traffic to your site. Keep publishing quality guest posts! And see how quickly you would establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Guest Post Pricing by DR

  • 0-30 DR: $50 – $150
  • 31-60 DR: $150 – $300
  • 61-90 DR: $300 – $600
  • 91+ DR: $600+

The cost of guest posts varies with the Domain Rating (DR) of the host site. Higher DR sites generally charge more. They offer greater SEO benefits and attract more traffic. For example, a guest post on a site with DR 90+ might cost over $600.

Niche Edits

Niche edits involve adding links to existing content. Instead of creating new articles, you simply update old ones with fresh links. This method is often quicker and much more cost-effective. It utilizes existing content that already has some level of authority. Niche edits help improve your backlink profile efficiently. 

Niche Edit Pricing by DR

  • 0-30 DR: $30 – $100
  • 31-60 DR: $100 – $200
  • 61-90 DR: $200 – $400
  • 91+ DR: $400+

Prices for niche edits depend on the DR of the site where the link is placed. Higher DR sites generally cost more. For example, a niche edit on a high-DR site may be priced at $400 or more.

Factors Influencing Link Building Costs

Domain Rating (DR) and Domain Authority (DA)

Domain Rating (DR) measures a domain’s strength based on its backlink profile. 

Domain Authority (DA) measures a site’s overall authority and ranking potential. Sites with stronger metrics provide better SEO benefits and have greater credibility. At the same time, higher DR and DA typically lead to higher costs for backlinks.

Website Quality

The quality of the site hosting your backlink impacts cost. High-quality sites with strong content and substantial traffic charge more. These sites are trusted more by search engines. A link from a reputable site adds more value. For example, a backlink from a top-tier industry site may be priced higher.

Niche or Industry

The niche or industry of the site can affect link-building costs. Competitive niches such as finance or health often come with higher costs. These niches have more demand for quality backlinks. Conversely, niches with less competition may offer more affordable link-building opportunities. For instance, backlinks in a less competitive niche might be cheaper.

Brand Strength

Your brand’s strength can also affect backlink costs. Established brands often secure backlinks more easily and at lower costs. A well-known brand attracts more link opportunities due to its credibility. In contrast, newer or lesser-known brands might face higher costs to build similar backlinks.

Type of Backlink

Different types of backlinks come with different costs. Contextual links embedded within the main content of a page are more valuable. They are often more expensive due to their relevance. Sidebar or footer links are less valuable and generally cheaper.

Dofollow vs. Nofollow Links

Imagine a family reunion. Someone says, “Try Grandma’s apple pie!” and hands out pieces. That’s a dofollow link.

In the web world, a dofollow link is similar. It’s like a recommendation from one site to another. When a site includes a dofollow link to yours, it’s saying, “This site is great! Check it out!”

Search engines like Google notice these recommendations. They think, “A trusted site links here; it must be good!” This helps your site rank higher in search results. Dofollow links pass SEO value from one site to yours. They are more costly because they improve rankings.

Nofollow links do not pass SEO value. They are usually cheaper. They often appear in comments or on social media. Nofollow links have less impact on rankings.

At the reunion, a nofollow link is like saying, “Grandma makes great pie!” without handing out samples.

On the web, a nofollow link refers to another site without endorsing it. It says, “I’m mentioning this site, but no special favor.”

Search engines like Google don’t use nofollow links to rank sites. It’s a polite mention without extra praise.

Nofollow links don’t help with ranking but build reputation. They still help get your name out there.

Local Backlinks

Local backlinks are crucial for local SEO. They target specific geographic areas to help businesses rank in local searches. Local backlinks can be more expensive due to their targeted benefits. They are particularly valuable for businesses that serve specific regions or communities.

What Link Building Pricing Covers

Content Creation

High-quality content is way more important then sales managers would like to think. Creating it is a huuuge part of link building. It requires significant time, expertise, and resources. Good content attracts valuable backlinks. Bad content irritates users to no end. The cost of content creation varies based on quality and complexity. Higher-quality content often comes with higher costs but, as we said, it is unfortunately essential for successful link building.

Research and Analytics

Effective link building requires thorough research and analysis. Identifying the best link prospects involves using specialized tools and expertise. This adds to the overall cost. Research helps find high-quality link opportunities. Analytics play a role in tracking the success of link-building efforts. They help refine strategies and improve results.

Project and Strategy Management

Managing a link-building campaign involves several activities. This includes outreach, relationship building, and strategy development. These tasks add to the cost but are crucial for success. Proper project management ensures that link-building efforts are well-organized and effective. It helps achieve desired SEO results.

In-House vs. Agency Costs

In-House Costs

In-house link building requires dedicated personnel, tools, and ongoing training. These costs can be significant but offer more control over the process. An in-house team can tailor strategies specifically to your business goals and needs. It also provides greater flexibility and potential long-term cost savings.

Agency Costs

Agencies offer comprehensive link-building services, often on a retainer or per-link basis. They handle various aspects of link building, including content creation, outreach, and performance analytics. Agencies bring expertise and can deliver faster results but at a higher cost. The choice between in-house and agency link building depends on your budget and specific requirements.

Comparing In-House vs. Agency

Comparing the return on investment (ROI) between in-house and agency link building is something you have to do if you want to make the right decision. Agencies may provide quicker results and broader expertise. In-house teams offer more control. They also potentially provide lower long-term costs. Evaluate your needs and budget, and decide on the best approach for your link-building strategy.

Serpzilla Link Building Platform

Platform Overview

Serpzilla is a marketplace for buying and selling backlinks. It simplifies the process of finding and securing quality backlinks. Serpzilla connects buyers and sellers efficiently. The platform offers a variety of link-building opportunities to suit different needs.

Key Features

Serpzilla has a large and diverse database of available backlinks. Its automated link placement feature streamlines the process of acquiring backlinks. Advanced filtering options help users find relevant links that meet their specific requirements. These features make Serpzilla a versatile tool for optimizing link-building strategies.

Pricing

Serpzilla’s pricing is flexible and varies widely. It ranges from a few cents to thousands of dollars per link. This wide range allows users to find backlinks that fit their budget and needs. The platform’s pricing flexibility helps users manage their link-building expenses while achieving their SEO goals.

Plan Your Link Building Strategy with Serpzilla

Serpzilla can assist in planning and budgeting your link-building strategy. The platform’s filters help you select suitable links based on your budget and requirements. Tracking performance through Serpzilla ensures you get the best value for your investment. 

Effective use of Serpzilla’s tools enhances your link-building efforts and contributes to improved SEO outcomes. You can easily calculate the price for link building on our site. You can sign up for the service, select the website you want to promote and go from there.

Step-by-Step Guide for Getting Backlinks

  1. Identify Goals: Start by defining your link-building objectives clearly. What do you hope to achieve with your backlinks? Setting clear goals helps guide your strategy and measure success.

2. Use Filters: Utilize Serpzilla’s filters to find relevant links within your budget. Filters allow you to narrow down options and select the most appropriate backlinks for your needs.

3. Monitor Progress: Continuously track the performance of your link-building efforts. Regular monitoring helps identify areas for improvement and ensures that your strategy remains effective.

4. Adjust Strategy: Make necessary adjustments to your strategy based on performance data. Change backlink types or target different niches if needed to optimize results.

5. Evaluate ROI: Assess the return on investment (ROI) from your link-building activities. Analyze how backlinks impact visibility, traffic, and search rankings to gauge effectiveness.

6. Optimize Efforts: Refine your link-building approach based on insights gained. Focus on acquiring high-quality links and improving content for better results.

7. Scale Up: As you see positive results, consider scaling up your link-building efforts. Invest in more high-quality backlinks to further enhance your SEO performance.

    Conclusion

    Understanding link-building costs (and benefits) is crucial for effective SEO. Many factors influence pricing. We mentioned DR, DA, website quality, niche, brand strength, and backlink type. The Serpzilla platform offers flexible solutions for various link-building needs. We provide tools to help plan, budget, and manage your link-building strategy – and do it stress-free. 

    Serpzilla offers a platform to buy and sell backlinks. It helps you get quality links from reputable sources. Whether you choose in-house or use Serpzilla, understanding costs and benefits will help you decide. With Serpzilla’s clear tools, link building becomes powerful.

    Strategic planning is essential for maximizing ROI. Carefully manage your link building efforts, and you’ll greatly improve your site’s visibility and authority. Investing in quality backlinks is essential. Serpzilla’s flexible pricing helps you manage costs wisely. 

    Remember, just like finding the right link is crucial, finding the right approach to link building is equally important. Keep your link-building efforts focused. And watch your site rise to the top!

    • Alex Sandro

      Senior product manager at Serpzilla.com. SEO and linkbuilding expert. More than 10 years of work in the field of website search engine optimization, specialist in backlink promotion. Head of linkbuilding products at Serpzilla, a global linkbuilding platform. He regularly participates in SEO conferences and also hosts webinars dedicated to website optimization, working with various marketing tools, strategies and trends of backlink promotion.