Top 5 SaaS Link Building Strategies That Work

Link building is essential for SaaS companies to improve search rankings, attract traffic, and build authority.

With 91% of websites receiving no Google traffic due to a lack of backlinks, SaaS businesses need targeted strategies to stand out. Here are five proven methods:

1. Guest Blogging:
   
   Publish expert content on high-authority industry platforms to build backlinks and reach relevant audiences.
   
2. Strategic Partnerships:
   
   Collaborate with other SaaS companies or integrate tools to earn contextual backlinks and shared exposure. You can use World Wide Collab for strategic partnerships with other SaaS companies.
   
3. Data-Driven Content:
   
   Create original reports, case studies, or statistics pages to attract high-quality backlinks naturally.
   
4. Reclaim Unlinked Brand Mentions:
   
   Turn online mentions of your brand into backlinks through personalized outreach.
   
5. Resource Page Outreach:
   
   Get listed on directories or linked from resource pages that align with your SaaS niche.

Each approach focuses on improving domain authority, driving organic traffic, and generating measurable results.

The U.S. SaaS market’s competitive landscape makes these strategies essential for growth.

SaaS Link Building Strategies That Actually WORK

1. Guest Blogging on Industry Platforms

Guest blogging has proven to be a powerful strategy for SaaS companies.

In fact, 64.9% of link builders utilize this approach, and it’s no surprise why – guest posts generate 27% more referral traffic and contribute to 35% faster organic growth.

Why It Works for SaaS Companies

For SaaS businesses, guest blogging aligns seamlessly with the nature of their industry.

Software-related topics naturally fit into high-authority platforms like tech blogs, business sites, and niche SaaS publications.

These outlets are often hungry for expert content on subjects like automation, productivity, digital transformation, and specialized solutions.

By contributing to these platforms, SaaS companies can connect with targeted audiences, increase their visibility, and build domain authority.

Plus, it’s a great way to form lasting relationships with host sites, which can lead to even more opportunities down the line.

Unlocking High-Value Backlinks

When done strategically, guest blogging can deliver backlinks of exceptional quality.

Here’s the reality: over 90% of B2B content doesn’t attract backlinks from external websites.

That’s a huge gap – and an even bigger opportunity for SaaS companies willing to invest in creating valuable guest content.

Take this for example: Growfusely helped Whatfix acquire over 250 high-quality backlinks, while Digital Olympus secured 232 backlinks for SwagDrop, driving 21,000 organic visits.

The key lies in targeting platforms with strong Domain Ratings (DR) and solid organic traffic. Look for sites that showcase clear E-E-A-T signals (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness, and Experience) and steer clear of those negatively affected by Google’s Helpful Content updates.

Scaling Guest Blogging Efforts

One of the best things about guest blogging is how scalable it is for SaaS businesses.

The evergreen nature of software-related topics means there’s always a demand for fresh insights.

To scale effectively, start by analyzing your competitors’ backlinks using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz.

This can reveal where they’ve published guest posts and help you identify similar opportunities.

You can also use search operators like “[your niche] write for us” or “[your topic] guest post guidelines” to quickly find platforms open to guest contributions.

Tailoring Strategies for the US Market

Guest blogging is particularly effective in the U.S., where thought leadership and expert-driven content are highly valued.

American publications often maintain rigorous editorial standards, so getting your guest post accepted can significantly boost your credibility.

When pitching to U.S. platforms, personalize your outreach with specific references and unique topic ideas. Adding social proof, like links to previous guest posts, can further strengthen your case.

To make the most of guest blogging, focus on websites with active, engaged audiences.

Check for social media activity and vibrant comment sections to ensure your content will reach the right people.

This approach not only drives referral traffic but also enhances your brand’s visibility and authority, making it a cornerstone of a successful SaaS SEO strategy.

2. Using Strategic Partnerships and Integrations

Strategic partnerships can be a goldmine for SaaS companies looking to build high-quality backlinks.

Unlike cold outreach or other traditional methods, partnerships naturally generate contextual backlinks that search engines value highly.

Let’s dig into how these partnerships, particularly through integrations and collaborations, can enhance your backlink profile and drive growth.

Relevance to the SaaS Industry

In the SaaS world, interconnectedness is the name of the game. With the U.S. accounting for over 70% of the global SaaS market, partnerships aren’t just helpful – they’re essential for sharing customer bases and acquiring links organically.

High customer acquisition costs and intense competition make these alliances even more critical.

Integration partnerships stand out because they solve real customer problems while simultaneously creating link-building opportunities.

When two platforms integrate, both companies gain from cross-promotion and the addition of permanent backlinks in highly relevant contexts. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Potential for Earning High-Quality Backlinks

The backlink potential of strategic partnerships goes far beyond simple directory mentions.

Well-structured partnership programs can account for as much as 30% of revenue.

A great example of this is Siege Media’s work with Zendesk, where they increased the company’s traffic value by US$731,924 in just six months and created half of Zendesk’s top-performing pages.

While not entirely partnership-driven, it highlights the power of strategic relationship-building in the SaaS space.

When working with integration partners, focus on two simple but effective tactics:

• Ensure they link back to your integration directory listing.
• Collaborate on content that showcases the integration’s benefits while naturally including backlinks to your key pages.

Since these links come from relevant businesses targeting a similar audience, search engines see them as highly credible and valuable.

Scalability for SaaS Businesses

Strategic partnerships aren’t just effective – they’re scalable.

By creating a structured process for identifying and onboarding partners, SaaS companies can grow their backlink profile and business simultaneously.

For instance, CallRail boosted adoption of their HubSpot integration by 167% using Ecosystem-Led Growth (ELG) strategies and partnerships.

These alliances allow for growth without significantly increasing overhead costs.

To scale successfully:

• Develop clear partnership tiers with defined collaboration opportunities.
• Offer co-marketing resources and training programs to make it easy for partners to promote your integration.
• Regularly evaluate your program with metrics like revenue impact, customer acquisition costs, and partner satisfaction.

As your network of partners grows, so does your backlink portfolio. Over time, this creates a compounding effect that amplifies your results.

Use Strategic Tools to Scale your Partnership Outreach

There are tools out there that can help you connect with other SaaS founders who are willing to connect with you.

You can use World Wide Collab to connect with the other companies to connect.

Alignment with US Market Practices and Preferences

In the U.S., partnerships are a cornerstone for SaaS companies aiming to solidify their market position.

In a fast-paced, innovation-driven ecosystem, strategic alliances are often a necessity to stay competitive.

Some major examples highlight how partnerships can evolve into transformative opportunities.

Microsoft’s collaboration with LinkedIn, which integrated LinkedIn data into Office 365 and Dynamics 365, eventually led to Microsoft’s US$26.2 billion acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016.

Similarly, Salesforce’s partnership with MuleSoft paved the way for enhanced integration capabilities before Salesforce acquired MuleSoft for US$6.5 billion in 2018.

“Currencycloud’s partnership with Visa, our ultimate acquirer, was long and deep. The relationship was a strong source of customer acquisition, differentiation and growth and a technology partnership quickly followed – which deepened the relationship and also demonstrated to Visa our strength as an innovator.”
– Stephen Lemon, Founder, Currencycloud

This example from Currencycloud shows how partnerships can grow from link-building efforts into strategic relationships that shape a company’s future.

By aligning with partners whose goals match those of potential acquirers, U.S.-based SaaS companies can position themselves as attractive acquisition targets.

The links generated through these alliances don’t just boost SEO – they become part of the company’s overall value, making them a smart long-term investment.

3. Creating Data-Driven Content Assets

Data-driven content is one of the most effective tools SaaS companies can use for building links.

While a staggering 92% of marketers focus on blog content, only 22% take the plunge into creating original studies and data-driven materials.

This gap presents a huge opportunity for SaaS businesses ready to leverage research-backed content.

Why It Works for SaaS

The SaaS world revolves around metrics, analytics, and performance insights, making it a natural fit for data-driven content.

SaaS companies often have access to unique datasets – like user behavior trends, industry benchmarks, and usage metrics – that can fuel compelling research. Examples of data-driven content include surveys, customer usage reports, and in-depth industry analyses that showcase expertise.

This approach not only highlights authority but also naturally attracts high-quality backlinks.

How It Drives High-Quality Backlinks

Data-driven content consistently outperforms traditional blog posts when it comes to link generation. Take Buffer’s 2020 remote work report as an example: it earned over 5,000 backlinks from more than 2,000 domains, with 78% being dofollow links. Similarly, Buffer’s “State of Social” report achieved a link acquisition rate 293% higher than their standard “Social Media Sites” article.

Nextiva offers another great case study. By curating customer service statistics from trusted sources, they created a single page that generated over 1,500 backlinks from nearly 700 domains. This page also ranks for over 620 keywords and brings in about 300 organic visitors per month.

Formats that work especially well for SaaS include:

• Original research studies that uncover industry trends.
• Statistics pages that compile relevant data (Steven Macdonald earned 5,000 backlinks from just six such pages).
• Case studies that highlight impressive results.
• Interactive tools, like calculators, designed to solve specific problems.

These examples highlight the clear advantage of investing in scalable, data-driven strategies for link building.

Making It Scalable

The key to scaling data-driven content lies in creating repeatable systems for gathering, analyzing, and presenting data.

SaaS companies can tap into their customer data, usage analytics, or industry contacts to fuel ongoing research efforts.

By establishing predictable content calendars – like annual reports or quarterly analyses – you can keep audiences engaged and build anticipation. Buffer’s yearly reports are a prime example of this strategy in action.

Incorporating data-driven content into a hub-and-spoke model is another effective way to scale.

In this setup, a central piece of research (the hub) is supported by related content like blog posts, infographics, or social media updates (the spokes), all of which link back to the main study.

To optimize scalability, focus on formats with strong link acquisition potential and experiment to see what resonates most with your audience.

When combined with guest posts and partnerships, data-driven assets become a cornerstone of any SaaS link-building strategy.

Resonating with the US and Global Market

In the US, where data-driven decision-making is highly valued, research-backed content holds strong appeal.

With 89% of marketers relying on organic search for distribution, creating content that naturally attracts backlinks aligns perfectly with the digital marketing priorities of SaaS companies in the United States.

American businesses prefer measurable results and evidence-based insights, so original research and detailed data analyses are especially effective. Furthermore, with only 24% of marketers using external publications or guest blogging, there’s a big opportunity for those willing to invest in original studies.

“In the eyes of Google, a link is like a ‘vote of confidence.'”
– AbdulGaniy Shehu, Founder and Lead Content Strategist at Your Content Mart

The secret lies in sourcing data from credible places – like government records, business reports, and academic studies – and crafting compelling stories around your findings.

Pairing this with clear visualizations, such as charts or infographics, makes the content more engaging and shareable, boosting its chances of earning valuable backlinks.

Check – Check SaaS SEO vs eCommerce SEO: Key Differences

4. Reclaiming Unlinked Brand Mentions

SaaS brands are often mentioned online without a backlink.

These unlinked mentions are a hidden gem in link-building strategies, offering one of the highest success rates for securing quality backlinks.

Why This Matters for SaaS Companies

SaaS brands naturally generate a lot of online chatter through reviews, comparisons, and industry news.

Unlike traditional businesses, SaaS operates in a digital-first environment, so most of their visibility happens online. This leads to frequent mentions on blogs, review sites, and resource pages.

Take HubSpot as an example.

In March 2023, their content team discovered over 120 unlinked brand mentions across US-based marketing blogs and SaaS comparison sites.

Each of these mentions presented a clear opportunity to reclaim backlinks, which could directly enhance their SEO efforts and boost search rankings.

Turning Mentions Into Backlinks

Reclaiming unlinked mentions has a success rate of 10–20%, significantly higher than the 2–8% typically seen with cold outreach.

For instance, in January 2024, Zapier‘s SEO team used tools like Ahrefs to identify unlinked brand mentions.

Through a personalized email campaign, they converted 54 of these mentions into high-authority backlinks within two months, achieving a 17% success rate.

This effort drove noticeable increases in organic traffic, particularly to their integrations landing pages.

Another example comes from Skale, a SaaS SEO agency. By targeting unlinked mentions, they secured 44 backlinks from well-known brands like Taboola and Springboard.

These high-quality links not only boosted their authority but also contributed to measurable SEO improvements.

Making It Scalable for SaaS Brands

Reclaiming unlinked mentions doesn’t have to be a one-off effort. SaaS brands can streamline the process with automation tools and workflows.

Tools like Google Alerts, Ahrefs, or Mention can monitor brand mentions in real time.

Additionally, advanced search operators (e.g., “BrandName -site:yourdomain.com”) can help identify unlinked mentions manually.

The real key is building a repeatable system:

• Set up automated alerts to track mentions.
• Create personalized email templates for different scenarios (e.g., product reviews, news coverage, or comparison articles).
• Batch outreach efforts to save time.
• Track responses and results to refine the process.

Once this workflow is in place, even small SaaS companies can manage dozens of opportunities weekly with minimal effort. Larger brands, with their broader visibility, can scale this even further.

Read – Content Marketing Guide for SaaS Businesses

Best Practices for the US Market

When reaching out to US-based webmasters and editors, it’s important to communicate in a way that aligns with American business norms. Keep your outreach professional, clear, and courteous. Reference the specific article, explain how adding a link benefits readers, and include the exact URL with suggested anchor text.

For example, HubSpot’s 2023 campaign reclaimed over 120 unlinked mentions from US marketing publications.

Their polite, tailored approach led to a 12% increase in referring domains and a 9% boost in organic traffic in just one quarter.

US editors often prefer linking to authoritative sources to enhance their content.

If your email is professional and well-crafted, many editors are open to updating their articles. Follow up politely after 7–10 business days, but avoid being overly persistent.

Finally, measure your results – track response rates, conversion rates, and the authority of linking sites. This data-driven approach resonates with the analytical mindset common in US SaaS companies.

5. Resource Page and Directory Outreach

Resource pages and directories are goldmines for SaaS companies looking to secure high-authority backlinks and attract targeted leads.

Why Resource Pages Matter for SaaS

In the U.S., SaaS directories have become essential tools for buyers researching software options. Platforms like G2.com, Capterra, and TrustRadius not only provide valuable backlinks but also channel qualified traffic from potential customers actively searching for solutions.

These directories act as trusted hubs, connecting SaaS providers with audiences ready to make purchasing decisions.

Educational resource pages also play a pivotal role.

For example, ClickUp created a detailed comparison of various software types, which drew significant organic traffic. By helping users weigh their options, such content positions SaaS companies as trusted advisors during the decision-making process.

How Resource Pages Boost Backlink Opportunities

When done strategically, resource pages can generate powerful SEO benefits. A great example is Vena Solutions’ blog featuring 85 SaaS statistics, trends, and benchmarks, which earned 97 referring backlinks.

By offering data-driven, shareable content, they created a resource that other websites naturally linked to.

Another success story comes from Typeform, which gained hundreds of backlinks by publishing integration guides tailored for developers working with their API. These guides became indispensable resources, driving organic traffic and earning widespread references.

Additionally, listicles are highly effective in securing backlinks. Research shows that listicles attract 80% more organic traffic, making them ideal for link-building efforts.

Scaling Resource Page Outreach

Scaling outreach efforts for resource pages requires a structured approach. Start by using tools like Ahrefs, Moz, Majestic, or SEMrush, or advanced Google search operators, to identify resource pages that align with your SaaS offerings.

Once you’ve identified relevant pages, analyze their content for gaps. Propose updates or additions that highlight your company’s expertise and value.

For directory submissions, focus on quality over quantity. Choose directories with strict editorial standards to avoid low-value links that could harm your SEO performance.

Tailoring Strategies to the U.S. Market

These outreach strategies align well with U.S. market expectations, where quality and transparency are key. Resource page editors and directory maintainers in the U.S. prioritize relevance and real value. When pitching, clearly explain how your inclusion enhances their content – whether by filling a gap or offering additional insights.

For directory optimization, include relevant keywords in your descriptions and encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on trusted platforms.

Peer reviews and ratings are highly influential for American buyers, so maintaining strong profiles on major directories is essential for both building links and driving conversions.

As Brian Dean of Backlinko puts it:

“You have to create legitimately great content and a legitimately great website to rank in Google.”

This advice underscores the importance of quality content and strategic outreach for SaaS companies aiming to make an impact.

Conclusion

The five link-building strategies covered in this guide offer effective ways for SaaS companies to strengthen their authority and achieve meaningful growth in the competitive U.S. market.

Each method is tailored to tackle the specific hurdles software businesses encounter when aiming to secure high-quality backlinks and build trust with search engines and potential customers.

These approaches work together to address SaaS-specific challenges by reaching engaged audiences, building authority, and tapping into overlooked backlink opportunities. For example:

• Guest blogging introduces your brand to industry-focused audiences.
• Strategic partnerships create organic promotion opportunities.
• Data-driven content establishes your company as a leader in your field.
• Reclaiming unlinked mentions helps you recover missed chances for backlinks.
• Resource page outreach connects you with buyers actively seeking solutions.

These tactics not only boost your credibility but also deliver measurable growth.

Case in point: Buffer gained over 10,000 users in just nine months through guest posting, while Salesforce built a massive backlink profile of 252,000 links by producing valuable content.

The key to successful SaaS link building lies in a focused, data-driven strategy.

Instead of chasing broad keyword rankings, concentrate on links that align with your long-term SEO goals.

In a market where buying decisions involve multiple factors and extended cycles, a single well-placed link from a trusted industry publication can drive more qualified traffic than numerous generic links.

Start by conducting competitor analysis and content audits to identify the strategies that match your resources and priorities.

Rather than attempting all methods at once, focus on the ones that align with your immediate goals.

While results often take three to six months, over 37% of link builders report seeing traffic improvements within six weeks. Stay consistent, avoid shortcuts, and emphasize quality over quantity by creating valuable content and fostering genuine relationships.

Track metrics like domain authority, referring domains, and organic traffic to measure how your efforts translate into qualified leads and conversions.

With the U.S. SaaS market expected to hit $236.69 billion by 2032, companies that master these link-building strategies now will be well-positioned to thrive in this growing industry.

Focus on creating content that resonates with your audience, building authentic relationships, and securing editorial links that not only align with search engine expectations but also meet the real needs of your customers during their decision-making process.

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