Determining the cost of link building for your business can feel like an unsolved mystery. Countless searches may have left you empty-handed, without a definitive answer. This article aims to unravel the enigma and provide you with unique insights into the pricing dynamics of link building.
The Mighty Backlinks
Backlinks have a massive impact on how well your website ranks. So, you better not underestimate their power!
Unlocking the Ranking Mystery
Backlinks are one of the forces that search engines consider when deciding where to rank your website. Extensive research, including those studies by Ahrefs, consistently reveals a strong connection between the number of other websites linking to yours and your search engine ranking. 
To sum up: The more high-quality backlinks you manage to acquire, the greater your chances of securing a spot on the first page of search results.
Quality Reigns Supreme
Remember, it’s not about collecting a gazillion links: it’s all about the quality. In fact, ten well-placed, influential backlinks can outshine a thousand links acquired through shady practices. So, channel your energy into securing high-quality backlinks from trusted sources, even if it means rolling up your sleeves for some extra work.
But securing such links on your own is no easy feat. It’s a demanding task that calls for the touch of professionals and an extensive network of contacts in different industries.
Let’s explore the top-rated link building agencies on Clutch. Our first stop takes us to the esteemed agency Editorial.Link, where we encounter a wealth of glowing reviews. This team has gained recognition for their ability to secure links from highly regarded websites that don’t engage in paid link placements.
These links look organic and certainly will not harm your site and bring benefits. That’s because such agencies are committed to white-hat link building methods.
Cracking the Backlink Code
Let’s not sugarcoat it: building backlinks can feel like an epic battle.
Many SEO experts confess that it’s the trickiest part of their SEO efforts. It involves strategic moves like reaching out to other website owners, nurturing relationships, and creating amazing content.
Link building for SaaS companies plays a vital role in boosting their search engine rankings. Knowing the power of backlinks, smart businesses are willing to invest in their SEO success. This leads them to a critical decision: whether to establish an in-house team or seek assistance from a professional link building agency.
Maintaining an In-house Team
Maintaining an in-house team of link builders comes with its fair share of expenses. It’s time to crunch the numbers and determine if the costs align with your budget.
The cost of maintaining an in-house team of link builders can vary significantly based on factors such as team size, experience, project complexity, and location. However, the most prominent expense is usually salaries.
Figures from platforms like GlassDoor can provide insights into industry-standard salary ranges for link building professionals.
There’s more to the financial picture than just salaries. Other expenses include employee benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacations. Additionally, recruiting and hiring costs, investments in tools and technology, training and professional development, and overhead costs like office space and utilities should be factored in.
Read more about the in-house team maintenance expenses:
Did you know that the number of top-notch links a specialist can score for you each month varies depending on their experience in the link building game? Let’s see how a specialist’s know-how influences the quantity of links they can bring in a month.
Alright, let’s do some calculations:
On average, a full-time link builder will fetch you approximately 13-15 links per month. That means each link will cost you about $500-$700. And if we take into account all the points mentioned earlier, the cost of one link will go up to at least $800.
Outsourcing link building can be a cost-effective option, particularly for a single project. On the other hand, building an in-house team may be more suitable when handling multiple projects. It’s really about finding the perfect match that suits your specific needs and available resources. It’s like finding that ideal puzzle piece that just fits right in.
Link Building Outsourcing
Choosing to outsource the task can be a real cost-effective game-changer. By opting for external assistance, you can save a substantial amount of money that would otherwise be spent on maintaining an in-house team and covering all the associated expenses.Secondly, it brings in fresh perspectives and expertise from specialized professionals who are on top of the latest industry trends. This infusion of fresh ideas can breathe new life into your link building strategy. Moreover, outsourcing offers scalability, giving you the flexibility to scale your link building efforts up or down as per your evolving needs.
Your attention was likely immediately drawn to the first point and the words “cost-effective” and “save.” However, don’t get too carried away just yet. In reality, the numbers can vary significantly.
Sure, you can open up Fiverr or PeoplePerHour and find a multitude of offers to get organic links for pennies. But when encountering a link-building provider who offers a large number of links for a low price, like $100, it’s crucial to proceed with caution. Typically, these providers are referring to links acquired from platforms where anyone can easily place a link without much scrutiny. 
Search results for “Link Building” on PeopleperHour.
And even if such contractors have good reviews on the platforms, be aware that these can be easily manipulated by individuals with dubious intentions, for a certain fee, of course.
At best, purchasing such cheap links won’t have any impact on your website’s performance, and you’ll simply be wasting your money.
Check out what John Mueller, a senior search analyst at Google, says about it:
“The total number of backlinks a website has doesn’t matter at all to the search algorithm. One good link from a relevant website can be more impactful than millions of low-quality links.”
But what about links that can actually have a major positive effect on SEO performance? To ensure the acquisition of links from websites that do not offer paid placements (because the opposite goes against Google Webmaster Guidelines), it is essential to seek an experienced contractor who possesses an extensive network of contacts within your specific industry. Of course, acquiring such valuable links won’t come cheap.
The price of link building services can fluctuate based on the specific services you require and your desired objectives. For one-time projects, you can expect costs to fall somewhere between the $500 to $5,000 range. However, ongoing campaigns tend to be a bit pricier, with monthly expenses ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
So, one high-quality link will cost you at least $350. You’ll agree that this amount is much lower than the calculations we have made earlier in the article.
Just a friendly reminder that the figures we mentioned earlier are just general estimates. They’re meant to give you a rough idea, but keep in mind that the actual costs can vary quite a bit depending on the specifics of your project. So, it’s always a good idea to get more accurate pricing by discussing your requirements with the service provider.
Conclusion
Link building is a critical aspect of any successful digital marketing strategy.
When you find yourself at the crossroads of deciding between building your own dream team or outsourcing the task, take a moment to pause and reflect on a few crucial factors. It’s essential to consider your unique situation and carefully weigh the options.
Think about the costs, the perks, and the level of expertise required. Ask yourself questions like: Do you have the resources and expertise in-house? What are the long-term implications and sustainability of each choice?