At AgilePR, we recently hosted a highly informative live webinar, featuring SEO experts Robert Kormoczi and Oussama Bettaieb from SMT Digital. The discussion was centered on the complex yet crucial topic of link-building — specifically, how to gain quality backlinks even on a zero budget. With so much to cover, our speakers provided invaluable insights for businesses looking to scale their online presence through strategic SEO practices.
We’ve compiled the key takeaways from this insightful conversation for those who missed the live event.
Let’s dive into the highlights!
Paid Links: A Necessary Evil or a Risky Gamble?
One of the most controversial topics in SEO is the use of paid backlinks. Oussama Bettaieb shared his honest take on the matter, emphasizing that while many in the industry pay for links, it’s not without its drawbacks:
- Lack of control: Once you pay for a backlink, you often can’t control where it appears. If the page disappears or the site shuts down, your money is wasted.
- Tagged as sponsored content: While not inherently bad, paid links that are labeled as sponsored can diminish their value.
- Missed opportunities: Relying on paid links means missing out on more organic, creative link-building tactics that can yield stronger results in the long term.
Oussama and Robert agreed that while paid links can be an option, they should be seen as a last resort. Instead, businesses should focus on building authentic relationships and exploring other methods of acquiring backlinks.
Link-Building Without a Budget: Can It Be Done?
For in-house marketers and small businesses working with minimal budgets, building links doesn’t have to be an impossible task. Oussama shared a powerful example from his time with the real estate startup Getting On The Ladder, where they used creative strategies to secure free backlinks.
Instead of competing head-to-head in their highly competitive industry, Oussama looked to related fields for link-building opportunities. By reaching out to mortgage websites for a collaborative blog post, the startup was able to secure valuable backlinks, despite having a relatively low domain rating. The key takeaway: think beyond your direct competitors and reach out to peripheral industries that share a common audience.
When to Build Links Yourself vs. Outsourcing
A common dilemma for businesses and marketers is deciding when to take the link-building process into their own hands and when to outsource. According to Robert, it ultimately comes down to time and resources. Link-building can be very time-consuming, and if other areas like content creation or running ads can provide more immediate value, outsourcing might be the best option.
However, once your company reaches a certain size or budget, outsourcing to a reliable team or agency can free up time for more strategic tasks. It’s important to assess your priorities and determine what makes the most sense based on your current situation.
How to Measure the Impact of Link-Building Efforts
Measuring the success of a link-building campaign can be difficult. According to Robert, the real value of link-building is in driving higher revenue and client acquisition. In his experience at HubSpot, SEO and link-building campaigns outperformed PPC campaigns in terms of lead generation.
To gauge success, it’s important to track results over the long term. Oussama suggests setting clear goals before launching a link-building campaign and focusing on a few key pages or keywords. After three to six months, you can evaluate how well your links have performed by analyzing metrics like keyword rankings, organic traffic, and conversion rates.
Outdated Link-Building Tactics to Avoid
While some tactics still work, certain strategies have become outdated or ineffective. Oussama advises marketers to steer clear of random backlink exchanges and focusing too much on Domain Rating (DR) or Domain Authority (DA). While these metrics can be helpful, they’re no longer the most reliable indicators of a good backlink. A link from a highly trafficked site with real engagement is far more valuable than a link from a high-DR site that nobody clicks.
Closing Thoughts: Building Real Connections is Key
This webinar was packed with actionable insights for businesses looking to scale their brand awareness and improve their SEO strategies. The takeaway? Link-building on a global scale isn’t just about collecting backlinks — it’s about building real, authentic relationships that bring long-term value to your website.
As Robert and Oussama both emphasized, the key to success lies in understanding your audience, staying patient, and continuously working towards building organic, impactful links. Whether you’re working with a small budget or scaling a large business, thoughtful outreach and strategic planning are essential.
If you’re interested in getting started with link-building, we recommend checking out Ranking Raccoon for building high-quality backlinks. You can start with a free 14-day trial, and build unlimited, strong backlinks without the need for cold emails or unnecessary hassles.
At AgilePR, we’re committed to helping businesses grow and thrive online through effective SEO practices. Stay tuned for more expert insights and helpful tips in future webinars and blog posts.
