As a SaaS owner, you know how challenging it is to grow in such a competitive market. With the global SaaS market valued at US$117.1 billion in 2023 and projected to reach US$372.1 billion by 2030, there’s no doubt the industry is booming.
With so many options available to customers, it’s crucial to find ways to stand out. That’s why link building for Saas is so important—actually, it’s one of the best ways to improve your search rankings.
However, link building can feel complicated, especially when dealing with complex SaaS products.
For this exact reason, I’ve put together this guide. I’ll share 16 proven strategies to implement link building for SaaS businesses, along with real-world examples and practical tips to help you build a strong backlink profile. Let’s get started!
1. Guest Posting for SaaS
Guest posting is a proven strategy where you write articles for other websites as a guest author to get a backlink. For example, if your SaaS product specializes in customer relationship management, you could write a guest post for a sales-focused blog on improving customer retention strategies. In exchange, you typically receive a valuable backlink to your SaaS website.
However, it’s crucial to carefully vet guest posting prospects. Many low-quality or spammy sites may offer guest posting opportunities, but a backlink from them can do more harm than good.
Focus on high-authority, niche-relevant websites to ensure your guest post brings both value and credibility. Tools like Linkee can help you vet prospects by assessing domain authority, relevance, spam score, and more
Real-World Example
To see how the guest posting strategy works in action, take a look at Atlassian’s blog post. The article focuses on helping teams overcome resistance to new technologies like AI and offers actionable strategies to foster collaboration and adaptability. Within the article, Compt.io is mentioned as a relevant resource, and as you can see in the screenshot below, there is also a mention that the article was written by a contributing author.
2. Backlinks from SaaS Websites
Getting backlinks from other SaaS websites is incredibly valuable for boosting your site’s authority, but in my experience, this can be quite difficult. Most SaaS companies are focused heavily on product development and improving user experience, so they rarely prioritize external link-building efforts. This makes the traditional link-building methods less effective with these types of websites.
What I’ve found to work, though, is taking a more creative approach. Instead of targeting the SaaS websites directly, collaborating with high-authority industry websites, like tech blogs or business publications, can be a game-changer. You can secure a backlink for the SaaS site by writing a guest post on the third-party site, that is very attractive for the SaaS website, mentioning and linking to the SaaS platform within your content. As a result, the SaaS website may return the favor by linking back to your own site.
This strategy builds valuable partnerships and gives both you and the SaaS website more credibility and visibility, even when direct outreach to the SaaS company might not work.Getting backlinks from other SaaS websites is incredibly valuable for boosting your site’s authority, but in my experience, this can be quite difficult. Most SaaS companies are focused heavily on product development and improving user experience, so they rarely prioritize external link-building efforts. This makes the traditional link-building methods less effective with these types of websites.
What I’ve found to work, though, is taking a more creative approach. Instead of targeting the SaaS websites directly, collaborating with high-authority industry websites, like tech blogs or business publications, can be a game-changer. You can secure a backlink for the SaaS site by writing a guest post on the third-party site, that is very attractive for the SaaS website, mentioning and linking to the SaaS platform within your content. As a result, the SaaS website may return the favor by linking back to your own site.
Real-World Example
Imagine a scenario where your website publishes an article about different Saas websites/tools in ContentStudio, a high authority website, and includes a link to Frase.io's website as one of the top tools. After this, you can reach out to Frase.io and mention how your site has linked to them and request a reciprocal backlink.
3. Linkable Assets
Linkable assets are valuable resources you create to encourage other websites to link to your SaaS site. Think of things like detailed guides, free tools, templates, or unique research that genuinely help your target audience solve a problem. The goal is to create something so useful and relevant that people naturally want to share it and link back to it as a trusted resource.
Here are some examples of effective linkable assets for SaaS websites:
- Product comparison tools: Helping users make informed decisions
- Industry benchmarks: Offering unique data or insights
- Workflow templates: Streamlining processes for SaaS users
- Case studies: Showcasing successful applications of your SaaS product
- Guides: Offering expert advice on optimizing SaaS performance
Real-World Example
Atlassian’s infographic is a perfect example of a linkable asset done right. It’s a simple, visually engaging guide that shows exactly how to integrate Trello with Slack to streamline workflows and improve team communication. If you’re into productivity or project management, it’s the kind of resource you’d want to bookmark or share with your team. And that’s the magic—it’s so useful and easy to share that blogs and websites naturally link to it.
4. Niche Edits/Link Insertions
Niche edits (or link insertions) involve adding your link to existing content on other websites. By finding opportunities where your link can naturally fit within the content, you can increase your visibility and authority while providing value to the host site.
Here’s how to make this strategy work effectively for your SaaS business:
1. Locate Relevant Content: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush or any other SEO tool to find articles that align with your SaaS product’s niche. For this example, I’ll walk you through how to do it using Ahrefs, but the process is similar across other tools:
- Log into Ahrefs and navigate to the Content Explorer tool.
- Enter keywords related to your SaaS product. For example, if you offer a CRM tool, search for terms like “best CRM software” or “customer relationship management tips.”
2. Filter for High-Quality Results:
- Domain Rating (DR): Filter for websites with a DR above 50 to ensure high-quality backlinks.
- Traffic: Set a minimum traffic threshold (e.g., 500 visitors/month) to find content that’s actively visited.
- Published Date: Look for content published within the last 1–2 years to ensure it’s still relevant and actively maintained.
3. Identify a Natural Fit: Review the article for a specific section where your link adds genuine value. For instance, if the article discusses “top tools for remote teams,” suggest adding your SaaS tool as a resource for remote collaboration.
4. Personalize Your Outreach: Reach out to the site owner or editor with a concise, tailored email. Clearly point out where your link fits and explain how it complements the content. Example: “Your article on remote team tools is excellent. I noticed you discuss productivity tools but don’t mention [Your SaaS Tool], which offers features tailored to remote teams. Adding it could enhance your readers’ experience.”
5. Track Your Backlinks: Set up tracking in Ahrefs to ensure the link is active and remains intact over time. Regularly review your backlink profile to confirm its impact on DR and search rankings.
Real-World Example
Startup Bonsai’s mention of SpyFu in their article is a prime example of effective niche link insertion. The article, which compares top SEO tools, provides detailed insights into features, benefits, and use cases to guide readers in choosing the right solution. By strategically inserting a link to SpyFu within the section on competitor analysis and data-driven SEO strategies, it positions SpyFu as a go-to resource for readers seeking powerful SEO solutions.
5. Digital PR for Link Building
Digital PR link building for Saas involves creating and distributing trendy content that catches the attention of journalists, bloggers, and influencers in the SaaS industry. The goal is to have your SaaS business featured in high-authority articles, interviews, or industry news stories, which helps you secure valuable backlinks to your website.
The main benefits of Digital PR are the following:
- You can secure backlinks from major industry publications that would otherwise be difficult to get.
- Each campaign has the potential to generate multiple backlinks, boosting your site’s authority significantly.
Real-World Example
Loopex Digital shows how effective Digital PR link building for Saas can be with their work on Google’s Bard. After Bard was newly launched, Loopex Digital ran experiments to test Bard’s responses about the language model it was based on. Initially, Bard claimed to be based on OpenAI’s GPT-3, and later corrected itself to Google’s LaMDA. These intriguing inconsistencies were shared with tech journalists, leading to widespread media coverage. The story was picked up by famous publications like Business Insider, MSN, and Android Authority, positioning Loopex Digital at the forefront of AI discussions and gaining valuable backlinks from high-authority domains.
6. Unlinked Brand Mentions
When people mention your SaaS tool in articles or blogs but don’t include a link to your site, it’s a missed opportunity for building backlinks. These unlinked brand mentions are often easy to find and even easier to turn into valuable links. With tools like Ahrefs, you can identify where your product is being referenced without a link. Then, by reaching out to the site owner with a polite request, you can turn those mentions into high-quality backlinks. Let me walk you through the process to show you how it works.
Real-World Example
Using Ahrefs’ Content Explorer is an excellent way to uncover instances where your SaaS brand has been mentioned without a backlink.
For example, if you search for unlinked brand mentions for "Trello" using Ahrefs’ Content Explorer, you may find articles where Trello is discussed, but no link has been provided to their website. A specific example could be TechCrunch, where Trello is mentioned in an article, but a direct link to Trello's site is missing.
Once you identify these opportunities, a polite outreach email requesting the addition of a link can often result in a successful outcome, improving your backlink profile.
7. Product Reviews
Having your SaaS product reviewed by bloggers, influencers, or industry websites can generate high-quality backlinks. Offering your software for free in exchange for an honest review not only helps improve SEO but also builds trust among potential users. Here’s how to make it practical and effective:
- Find the Right Reviewers: Use tools like BuzzSumo, Ahrefs, or even simple Google searches with terms like “[your niche] software reviews” to identify bloggers or sites that review SaaS products. Focus on websites with good domain authority and a relevant audience.
- Craft a Personalized Pitch: Reach out to the reviewers with a tailored email. Mention specific reasons why your software aligns with their content or audience. For example, “I noticed your recent review on team collaboration tools, and I think [Your SaaS Tool] could be a great fit for your readers who value integrations and automation.”
- Offer Free Access: Provide a trial, demo, or full access to your software. Make sure to explain key features they might want to highlight and how it solves real-world problems their audience faces.
- Simplify the Process: Include a user guide, quick-start tutorial, or demo video to help them easily understand and test your product. The easier you make it for them, the better their review will likely be.
- Monitor the Review: Once the review is live, check if they’ve included a backlink to your site. If they haven’t, send a polite follow-up thanking them for the review and requesting a link so readers can explore your product further.
Real-World Example
If you’re wondering how the product review strategy works in practice, take a look at Monday.com’s project management software feature on Tech.co. The review breaks down the platform’s features, pricing, and usability, giving readers a clear picture of how it can help teams manage projects more effectively. What makes it so effective is the backlink to Monday.com’s website.
8. Podcast Link Building
Appearing on podcasts is another excellent way to share your expertise and earn backlinks. Many SaaS-focused podcasts include links to the guest’s website in the show notes, providing a valuable backlink. Here are a few SaaS podcasts you can consider:
These platforms are great opportunities to showcase your insights while also earning backlinks to your site.
Real-World Example
Let’s take a look at Krish Ramineni’s appearance on the Aaron Zakowski podcast, where he talks about how Fireflies.ai uses product-led growth to scale its platform. In the episode, Krish shares valuable insights on how user-driven adoption has helped grow the company. What makes this even better is that the episode includes a backlink to Fireflies.ai in the description and show notes.
9. Broken Link Building
Broken link building for Saas is a strategy where you identify broken links on other websites and suggest replacing them with a link to your SaaS website. This is a win-win situation, as it helps the site owner fix an issue while providing you with a backlink.
Real-World Example
If you're a SaaS website like Automate.io, you can use tools like Ahrefs to check your competitor's broken backlinks, such as those on Zapier's website. By identifying websites that previously linked to Zapier but now have broken links, you can reach out to these sites and suggest your corresponding content or service link as a replacement. This benefits the website by removing a broken outgoing link, and in return, you gain a high-quality backlink.
10. Resource Page Link Building
Creating a resource page that curates valuable industry content, such as guides, case studies, tools, and research, can naturally attract backlinks. Resource pages become a go-to hub for professionals in your industry, increasing the likelihood that others will link to them. From my experience, this is especially effective when you include tools, guides, video tutorials, and articles that are highly relevant to your SaaS niche.
Real-World Example
BigCommerce has built a strong resource hub for eCommerce professionals. It offers easy-to-read guides, case studies, and tips on growing online stores. This page is a popular go-to for marketers, bloggers, and businesses, earning it 3,500 backlinks (shown in the screenshot). The hub’s helpful content makes other websites link to it naturally.
11. Infographics
Infographics are visual representations that simplify complex data or ideas, making them easier to understand. In the SaaS industry, infographics can be particularly effective for breaking down complicated product features, explaining industry trends, or illustrating the benefits of software solutions.
Infographics link building for Saas involves creating high-quality, visually appealing infographics and sharing them with relevant websites in your niche. Think of it like crafting a visual tool that other SaaS professionals or websites find so valuable they can’t resist sharing it with their audience, naturally earning you backlinks in the process.
Real-World Example
Social Media Today’s infographic simplifies APIs with clear visuals, making it easy for anyone to understand. It’s a valuable resource for professionals and developers, and the kind of content that naturally attracts backlinks from tech blogs and industry sites like a magnet.
12. Press Release for Link Building
Press releases are a traditional yet effective method for SaaS link building. By distributing press releases about significant updates, new features, or company milestones, you can earn backlinks from media outlets and industry news sites.
Real-World Example
Zoho recently hit a huge milestone, surpassing 100 million global users, and they used it as the perfect opportunity to boost their online presence. They shared the news in a press release that caught the attention of Wire19, a well-known tech news site. The result? Not just recognition for their achievement, but also valuable backlinks from a trusted source.
13. Blogger Outreach
Blogger outreach involves reaching out to influencers and bloggers in your niche to collaborate on content or reviews. By offering value, such as insights or access to your SaaS product, you can secure backlinks from articles written by these influencers.
Real-World Example
Imagine this: Thomas Frank, a well-known YouTuber and blogger, writes an in-depth guide on Notion, sharing detailed tips and insights about the platform. Notion could see this and think, “Hey, this is great content—why not collaborate?” They could reach out to Thomas to explore opportunities like co-creating content, featuring his guide on their site, or working on exclusive tutorials together. It’s a perfect example of how noticing organic mentions can lead to exciting partnerships.
14. Founder Interviews
As a SaaS founder, getting featured on industry blogs or podcasts can do wonders for your brand’s authority. It’s not just about the exposure—it’s also about the backlink to your website that usually comes with it.
I’ve seen this work incredibly well for founders who have a compelling story to tell or fresh insights to share. Media outlets and podcast hosts love featuring people who bring value to their audience, so if you have a unique perspective or some interesting lessons from your journey, don’t hesitate to pitch yourself. It’s a practical and authentic way to build your presence while attracting high-quality backlinks.
Real-World Example
Wade Foster’s interview on the GrooveHQ blog is a great example of how SaaS founders can use interviews to boost their brand and authority. In the article, he dives into his journey of building Zapier and scaling it into a successful SaaS business. The interview is packed with practical insights on automation and SaaS growth, making it a go-to resource for industry professionals. It’s a smart strategy—by sharing his story and expertise, Foster provided value to readers and strengthened Zapier’s presence in the SaaS community.
15. Case Studies
Publishing case studies that highlight your SaaS product’s success can be an effective way to attract backlinks from industry websites. To maximize their impact, you can focus on case studies that:
- Showcase Data-Driven Success
- Provide Industry Benchmarking
- Demonstrate Scalability
- Highlight Feature-Specific Benefits
- Detail Time-Saving Solutions
- Showcase Customer Experience Transformation
These elements make case studies valuable and more likely to be referenced as credible sources, turning them into powerful link-building tools.
Real-World Example
Content Beta's article is a fantastic example of how well-crafted case studies can drive SaaS growth. The piece highlights real-world success stories of SaaS companies, providing actionable insights and inspiration for industry professionals. These case studies act as powerful content assets, naturally attracting backlinks from blogs, industry websites, and SaaS-focused publications.
16. Link Roundup
Link roundups are curated lists of useful content published regularly on industry blogs. Getting your SaaS tool featured in a roundup can provide you with valuable backlinks and increased visibility.
From experience, the key to being featured in a roundup is to actively monitor blogs in your niche and reach out to the authors with a personalized pitch. Share why your tool stands out, highlight how it adds value to their audience, and make it easy for them to include your product by providing concise descriptions and ready-to-use links. This proactive approach has worked consistently well for SaaS brands aiming to grow their organic presence.
Real-World Example
Buffer’s article is a great example of how a link roundup can work wonders in the SaaS space. They put together a list of top AI-powered tools designed to boost productivity, featuring popular SaaS platforms. What’s smart about this is that each tool they mention gets a backlink to its website.
What Types of Websites Are Most Likely to Provide Backlinks to Your SaaS Company?
Here’s a bonus list of some of the best types of websites to target when building high-quality backlinks:
- Tech Industry Sites: Websites focused on technology news, reviews, and innovations are perfect for SaaS businesses looking to enhance their authority in the tech space.
- Business Blogs: Many business-focused blogs frequently cover topics like SaaS trends, startup growth strategies, and case studies, making them valuable sources for backlinks.
- SaaS-Specific Publications: Websites such as SaaS Mag are entirely focused on the SaaS industry, offering you a direct path to highly relevant, industry-specific backlinks.
- Industry-Specific Blogs: Niche blogs in areas such as marketing, CRM, and cybersecurity are great for securing targeted backlinks that directly align with your product’s features.
- Educational Websites: Sites offering tutorials, online courses, or resources related to your SaaS product are fantastic opportunities for authoritative backlinks.
- Theme Related Sites - Theme-Related Sites: Websites that focus on broader themes (e.g., marketing, wellness, design) can provide valuable backlinks when they align with your product’s use case, even if they are not specifically SaaS-related.
Final Thoughts on Crafting an Effective SaaS Link Building Strategy
Building a strong backlink profile is essential for SaaS companies aiming to improve search rankings and establish authority. Focus on securing relevant, high-quality backlinks through methods like guest posts, creating linkable assets, and getting listed in SaaS directories.
To make this process smoother, tools like Linkee can really help. With Linkee you can find high-quality link opportunities tailored to your SaaS niche and even manage your outreach, emails, follow-ups, and track campaign performance. With insights on domain authority and relevance, Linkee ensures you're getting backlinks that actually move the needle for your business.
Maria Harutyunyan is the co-founder at Loopex Digital, one of the fast-growing SEO agencies in the world. She grew the agency to a 7-figure from the ground up in 3 years. Outside of Loopex Digital, Harutyunyan is a keynote speaker and SEO coach. She is the founder of the first SEO academy, an off-line training program in Yerevan, Armenia.
