Why Backlinks Matter for SEO
Backlinks are votes of confidence from other websites. When a high-authority site links to your content, it signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy and valuable. This directly impacts your Domain Rating and search rankings.
Not all backlinks are equal. A single backlink from a Ahrefs DR 80 site can boost your SEO more than 50 links from DR 10 sites. Quality, relevance, and authority of the linking domain matter more than quantity.
Backlinks help you rank for competitive keywords, build brand authority, and drive qualified traffic from industry publications and directories. Whether you run a business website, blog, e-commerce store, or any other type of site, quality backlinks are essential for SEO success.
Proven Strategies to Get Backlinks
These strategies have proven effective for earning quality backlinks. Focus on methods that provide value rather than manipulative tactics that can trigger penalties.
1. Create Linkable Assets
The most sustainable way to earn backlinks is by creating content that others naturally want to link to. This includes:
- Original research: Industry surveys, data studies, trend reports
- Comprehensive guides: 5,000+ word resources that become go-to references
- Interactive tools: Calculators, generators, comparison tools
- Visual content: Infographics, interactive maps, data visualizations
- Expert roundups: Curated insights from industry leaders
Promote these assets through email outreach, social media, and industry communities. The goal is earning natural editorial links, not buying placements.
2. Guest Posting on Industry Blogs
Writing guest posts for relevant industry blogs is an effective way to earn backlinks while building your brand. Target blogs with DR 40+ in your niche.
How to find opportunities:
- Search "write for us" + your industry keywords
- Use Ahrefs Content Explorer to find blogs that accept guest posts
- Check competitor backlinks to see where they've guest posted
- Build relationships with editors and bloggers in your niche
Always provide value in your guest posts. Include a relevant, contextual link in the author bio or within the content (if allowed by the publication).
3. Broken Link Building
Find broken links on high-DR sites in your niche, create replacement content, and suggest it to the site owner. This often results in quick, high-quality backlinks because you're solving a real problem.
Process:
- Use tools like Ahrefs to find broken links on high-DR sites
- Create better replacement content that matches the broken page
- Email the site owner with a friendly note about the broken link
- Suggest your content as a replacement
4. Unlinked Mention Outreach
Many sites mention your brand or product without linking to it. Use tools to find these mentions and reach out to request proper attribution. Most site owners are happy to add the link.
Tools to find mentions:
- Google Alerts (free)
- Ahrefs Mentions
- Mention.com
- Brand24
Finding the Right Directories for Your Niche
Listing your website or product on reputable directories is one of the fastest ways to earn quality backlinks. These platforms have high Domain Rating and provide dofollow links that boost your SEO. The key is finding directories that match your specific niche and target audience.
Finding Directories by Niche
Different industries have different directory opportunities. Here are the best resources for finding directories based on your niche:
| Niche | Resource | Description | Example Directories |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS & AI Products | launchdirectories.com | Comprehensive directory list for SaaS and AI products. They also offer a done-for-you submission service that submits your product to 100+ SaaS directories, saving you time and ensuring maximum coverage. | |
| E-commerce & Retail | Google Search | Search "e-commerce directory", "online store directory", or "retail directory". Check competitor backlinks in Ahrefs to find where they're listed. | |
| Local Businesses | Google Business, Yelp | Focus on local directories like Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing Places, and industry-specific local directories. These provide both SEO value and local visibility. | |
| Blogs & Content Sites | Blog Directories | Search for "blog directory", "blog listing", or niche-specific blog directories. Many accept free submissions and provide dofollow links. | |
| Professional Services | Industry Directories | Look for professional association directories, industry-specific listings, and service provider directories. Examples: legal directories, medical directories, consulting directories. | |
| General Business | Business Directories | Use general business directories like Crunchbase, AngelList, Clutch, and industry-agnostic platforms. Check competitor backlinks for opportunities. |
For SaaS and AI products: launchdirectories.com is the best resource. They provide a curated list of directories specifically for SaaS and AI products, and offer a done-for-you submission service that handles submitting your product to 100+ SaaS directories. This saves significant time and ensures you don't miss important opportunities.
Other ways to find directories for any niche:
- Search "[your niche] directory" or "[your niche] listing" in Google
- Check where your competitors are listed using Ahrefs Site Explorer
- Look for industry-specific directories in your niche communities and forums
- Ask peers and industry contacts for recommendations
- Join industry groups on LinkedIn, Reddit, or Facebook and ask for directory suggestions
What to Look For in Directories
Not all directories are created equal. Prioritize directories with:
- High Domain Rating (DR 50+): Higher DR means more SEO value from the backlink
- Dofollow links: Ensure the directory provides dofollow links, not just nofollow
- Relevance to your niche: Industry-specific directories often drive more qualified traffic
- Free or reasonable pricing: Many high-DR directories offer free listings
- Active user base: Directories with engaged users drive more traffic
Directory Submission Best Practices
When submitting to directories:
- Optimize your listing with relevant keywords in the title and description
- Use high-quality images or logos that represent your brand
- Include accurate categories and tags for better discoverability
- Complete all profile fields to maximize your listing's value
- Follow up on pending submissions after 1–2 weeks
- Focus on 20–30 high-quality directories rather than mass submissions
Pro tip: Focus on directories with DR 60+ for maximum SEO impact. Many directories offer free listings, but some premium directories charge fees. Prioritize free high-DR directories first, then consider paid options if they align with your target audience and provide measurable value.
Essential Tools for Backlink Building
These tools help you find opportunities, manage outreach, and track your backlink progress. Many offer free tiers or trials to get started.
Paid (Free trial available)
Paid (Free trial available)
Free tier + Paid plans
Paid
Paid
Free
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your First Backlinks
Week 1: Research & Preparation
- Audit your current backlink profile in Ahrefs
- Identify 20–30 target sites for outreach (DR 40+)
- Create a linkable asset (guide, research, tool)
- Prepare outreach email templates
Week 2–3: Directory Submissions
- Research and identify 10–15 high-DR directories relevant to your niche
- Use resources like launchdirectories.com to find directories (especially for SaaS and AI products)
- Submit to directories with DR 50+ for maximum SEO impact
- Optimize your listings with keywords and descriptions
- Follow up on pending submissions
Week 4–6: Outreach Campaign
- Send personalized outreach emails to target sites
- Follow up on non-responses after 1 week
- Track responses and conversions
- Build relationships with site owners
Ongoing: Content & Relationships
- Publish new linkable assets monthly
- Continue relationship building with industry sites
- Monitor new backlinks and thank linkers
- Track DR improvements in Ahrefs
Common Backlink Building Mistakes to Avoid
Buying links from PBNs or link farms: These manipulative tactics can trigger Google penalties and tank your Domain Rating. Focus on earning editorial links naturally.
Mass directory submissions: Submitting to hundreds of low-quality directories (DR <20) wastes time and can hurt your profile. Focus on 20–30 high-quality directories instead.
Generic outreach emails: Personalized emails convert 3–5x better than generic templates. Always customize your outreach to show you've researched the site.
Ignoring link velocity: Sudden spikes in backlinks look unnatural. Aim for gradual, consistent growth—5–10 quality links per month is better than 50 links in one week.
Not tracking results: Use tools like Ahrefs to monitor new backlinks, track DR changes, and measure the ROI of your link building efforts.
Need Help Building Quality Backlinks?
Building quality backlinks takes time and expertise. Our team specializes in securing high-DR backlinks (DR 60–90) that deliver fast, sustainable Domain Rating improvements. We handle research, outreach, content creation, and relationship building so you can focus on your business.
How to Get Backlinks FAQ
What's the best way to get backlinks?
The best way to get backlinks is through creating valuable content (research, guides, tools), building relationships with industry sites, guest posting on relevant blogs, and getting listed on reputable directories. Focus on quality over quantity—one high-DR backlink is worth more than dozens of low-quality links.
How do I get backlinks for free?
Free backlink strategies include: creating linkable assets (research, guides), broken link building, unlinked mention outreach, guest posting, directory submissions (many are free), and relationship building. The key is providing value that naturally attracts links rather than buying placements.
What directories should I use for my business?
Find directories relevant to your niche using resources like launchdirectories.com (especially useful for SaaS and AI products). Focus on high-authority directories (DR 50+) that provide dofollow backlinks, match your target audience, and drive qualified traffic. Industry-specific directories often perform better than generic ones.
How many backlinks do I need?
There's no fixed number—quality matters more than quantity. Earning 10–20 backlinks from DR 60+ domains can improve your SEO more than 100 links from DR 10 sites. Focus on earning backlinks gradually (5–10 quality links per month) rather than rapid spikes that look unnatural.
What tools help with backlink building?
Essential tools include Ahrefs (backlink analysis, competitor research), SEMrush (link building opportunities), Hunter.io (email finding), Pitchbox (outreach automation), and BuzzStream (relationship management). Free tools like Ahrefs Webmaster Tools and Google Search Console also provide valuable backlink data.
How long does it take to get backlinks?
Timeline varies: directory submissions can be instant, guest posts take 1–4 weeks, content-based links can take 2–6 months to earn naturally. Relationship-based link building is faster (2–4 weeks) than cold outreach (4–12 weeks). Consistent effort over 3–6 months typically yields 20–50 quality backlinks.