Online businesses often struggle to generate leads and maximize profits through SEO due to fierce competition, evolving search engine algorithms, and the scarcity of in-house link-building talent.
Acquiring expertise in this narrow field can be challenging, making outsourcing link-building an attractive option. By partnering with agencies, businesses can overcome these hurdles, BUT there are many things companies need to consider.
In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of outsourcing link building and how it addresses the difficulties online businesses face in navigating the complexities of SEO and lead generation.
Why Outsource Link Building?
Link building is a complex and somewhat dull affair for online businesses.
In our experience throughout the years, link building was fully or partially outsourced to vendors and agencies to do the heavy lifting. Why? Because many senior executives have more important things to do to run their businesses.
Executing a successful link-building campaign requires expertise and resources that may not always be available in-house. Outreach specialists and digital PR experts are hard to come by. In most cases, they have to be trained if hiring in-house.
In this guide, we’ll explore the world of outsourcing link building, offering insights to help you elevate your SEO game without the hassle.
What are the Advantages of Outsourcing Link Building?
Link building benefits every business that wants to scale up its organic traffic. However, outsourcing link building is most beneficial for startups venturing into the competitive digital landscape.
Here are some key benefits tailored to meet the specific needs of tech startups.
Access to Expertise
Tech startups often operate with lean teams, lacking the specialized skills required for effective link building. Link building after all is a very narrow and repetitive field in online marketing and SEO. Acquiring the right expertise can be difficult, especially retaining talent that can work in this field for a long. In fact, keeping an in-house link builder can be a challenge.
Why is that?
Simply because of repetition. Your startup or online business is in a narrow niche. Building links in a narrow can be extremely tiresome and repetitive. Outsourcing specialists, digital PR experts, or link builders can tire quickly and move once they’ve acquired their skills or worked enough in a single company.
This does not happen to digital PR agencies simply because they support many different niches and because of their network, which they can leverage, so their link building process can be quicker and smoother.
By outsourcing this task to experienced professionals, startups can tap into a wealth of expertise and industry knowledge, ensuring the implementation of strategic link building tactics tailored to their unique goals and target audience.
Time and Resource Efficiency
Time is money! You will not see CEOs or seniors doing link building. Why? Because their time is more valuable running the business. Building a robust link profile demands considerable time and resources, which startups may not have in abundance. You won’t see Jeff Bezos starting email campaigns to scale up Amazon’s organic traffic!
Outsourcing link building frees up internal resources, allowing startups to focus on core business activities such as product development and customer acquisition. This streamlined approach enhances operational efficiency and accelerates growth trajectories.
Scalability and Flexibility
As startups scale their operations and expand their digital footprint, their link building needs to evolve accordingly. While your content, website and brand develops over time, so should your link building support your SEO efforts.
New keywords, new anchors, new pr campaigns…
Outsourcing provides scalability and flexibility, enabling startups to adjust their link building strategies in response to changing market dynamics and business objectives with the right keywords. Whether launching a new product or targeting a different demographic, outsourcing allows startups to adapt quickly and effectively.
Access to Publisher Networks
Professional link building agencies often have established relationships with a wide network of publishers, bloggers, and influencers within the tech industry. Just like with AgilePR, we have 1500 websites for link building, press releases, and brand promotions.
By leveraging these connections, startups can access premium publishing opportunities that might otherwise be challenging to attain independently. If interested, sign up to our Dashboard to see our network.
Compliance with Best Practices
Effective white-hat link building requires adherence to ethical practices and compliance with search engine guidelines to avoid penalties and maintain credibility. Outsourcing to reputable agencies ensures that startups’ link building strategies align with SEO hygiene practices, reducing the risk of algorithmic penalties and safeguarding their online reputation.
Many websites can cause a lot of damage to one’s business and reputation. Below you can see a website we’ve worked (who we will not name at this time) that suffered heavy penalties for engaging in black hat SEO tactics.
Overall, outsourcing link building empowers tech startups to leverage external expertise, optimize resource allocation, and scale their digital PR efforts effectively.
By partnering with experienced professionals, startups can navigate the complexities of link building with confidence, driving sustainable growth and establishing a strong online presence in the competitive tech landscape.
How can you outsource link building?
Now comes an important answer if you are looking for a trustworthy digital PR agency. Here’s how you can effectively outsource link building while prioritizing factors such as SEO knowledge, agility, affordability, and credibility.
Assess SEO Expertise
When outsourcing link building, look for agencies or freelancers with a deep understanding of SEO and question them about two things: link camouflage and SEO hygiene. If they hesitate to answer these, they might not know what they’re talking about.
Link camouflage should be common amongst link building experts who should be able explain how natural link placements within hypertext should appear. And SEO hygiene, while not always a common phrase, should be understood as the basis of healthy organic traffic generation.
Lastly, ensure that they have a solid grasp of on-page and off-page optimization techniques, including the importance of relevant anchor text, domain authority, and natural link acquisition strategies. Request examples of their previous work and inquire about their approach to link building to gauge their level of expertise. This should help you feel confident in their efforts.
Evaluate Agility
A nimble approach to link building ensures that your campaigns remain effective and aligned with evolving SEO standards. Choose outsourcing partners who demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in their strategies. While at AgilePR, we pride ourselves on the agility of our work, many larger agencies take many weeks, if not months to accomplish their link building efforts. These can cost your startup precious time.
Afterall SEO growth is a slow process and it should not be over-encumbered by slow PR campaigns from link builders who will cost your business time and money.
Consider Affordability
While cost should not be the sole determining factor, it’s essential to consider the affordability of outsourcing link building services. How much should you pay for links?
This might be a complete question since it depends on multiple things: DR, traffic, niche and your personal requirements.
Our suggestion is to evaluate the pricing structures offered by different providers and assess the value they offer relative to their fees.
Keep in mind that investing in high-quality link building can yield significant returns over time, so prioritize providers who offer a balance of affordability and quality.
Review Testimonials and Case Studies
Before committing to an outsourcing partner, conduct thorough research and review their testimonials and case studies. Look for evidence of their past successes, including measurable results such as improvements in search engine rankings, organic traffic, and domain authority.
Have a look at website review scores, for example, we collect our reviews on Trustpilot, to prove our agility and efficiency to our clients. While we are a young company, we still pride ourselves on the few clients we’ve helped.
Testimonials and case studies provide valuable insights into the provider’s track record and credibility, helping you make an informed decision.
Seek Transparent Communication
Transparent communication is essential for a successful outsourcing partnership. Choose providers who prioritize open and honest communication, providing regular updates on the progress of your link building campaigns. Clear communication channels ensure that you’re informed about the strategies being implemented, the results achieved, and any adjustments made along the way. Try reaching out first or use a site’s customer support channel for communication.
At AgilePR, we primarily use email communication, but larger agencies, should respond within minutes during their working hours. If you receive no responses in a day or two, either the email address is wrong or the agency is no longer operational.
Who are the best link builders to outsource to?
When it comes to outsourcing link building, you have three main options available. These include agencies, vendors, and freelancers.
Each has its unique strengths and characteristics, making them suitable for different link building needs. Here’s a breakdown of each option and why they might be the best fit for your business.
Agencies
Link building and digital PR agencies are full-service providers that specialize in executing comprehensive link building strategies for clients across various industries. They typically employ teams of SEO experts, content creators, and outreach specialists to handle all aspects of link acquisition and relationship building.
Agencies offer a high level of expertise, access to extensive publisher networks, and a track record of delivering results for their clients. They are best suited for businesses seeking a hands-off approach to link building, with the resources to invest in long-term, scalable campaigns.
Vendors
Link building vendors are third-party providers that offer specific link building services or solutions, such as guest posting, niche edits, or broken link building. Unlike agencies, vendors focus on delivering individual link building tactics rather than holistic strategies.
They may offer pre-packaged link building packages or customizable solutions tailored to your needs. Vendors are ideal for businesses looking to supplement their existing link building efforts with targeted, specialized services. They offer flexibility, affordability, and the ability to scale specific tactics as needed.
Freelancers
Freelance link builders are independent contractors who offer their services on a project basis. They often specialize in specific link building tactics or niches and may have expertise in outreach, content creation, or relationship building.
Freelancers provide a personalized approach to link building, with direct communication and quick turnaround times. They are best suited for small businesses or startups with limited budgets, seeking individualized attention and flexibility in their link building initiatives.
Ultimately, the best link builder to outsource to depends on your specific needs, budget, and preferences. If you require a comprehensive link building strategy with ongoing support and expertise, an agency may be the ideal choice.
If you’re looking for targeted, specialized services to complement your existing efforts, a vendor could be the right fit. Alternatively, if you prefer a personalized approach and have specific requirements, working with a freelance link builder may be the most suitable option.
Regardless of which option you choose, it’s essential to conduct thorough research, review past performance, and communicate your goals and expectations. By selecting the right link building partner, you can leverage external expertise, optimize your SEO strategy, and drive tangible results for your business in the competitive online landscape.
Conclusion
Outsourcing link-building can be a game-changer for businesses seeking to enhance their SEO strategy and achieve sustainable growth online. By leveraging the expertise and resources of professional agencies, you can streamline your link-building efforts, improve search engine rankings, and drive targeted traffic to your website.
Remember to choose your outsourcing partner wisely, prioritize transparency and communication, and continuously monitor the performance of your campaigns to ensure optimal results. With the right approach, outsourcing link-building can yield significant returns on investment and propel your business to new heights in the digital landscape.
