There, I said it.
High-quality backlinks are essential, but acquiring them is often one of the hardest parts of an SEO campaign.
This applies to everyone, whether you’re a small business, a solo freelancer, or a marketing agency serving clients.
Why is it so challenging?
Because crafting an effective link building strategy requires a significant investment of time.
This guide will show you how to save time, increase your success rate (using our expertise), and provide actionable tips for outsourcing your link building campaigns.
But first, let’s get to the core question:
Should you outsource link building?
As someone in the industry, I believe link building is a critical part of any SEO strategy. Sometimes, outsourcing is the most efficient approach.
As mentioned, link building demands substantial time and effort.
To improve your search engine rankings, you need to:
- Balance link quality with quantity to impact organic traffic
- Ensure link relevance to your niche
- Avoid spammy links
- Obtain contextual links on authoritative sites
- Boost your domain authority (use this free DA checker tool)
- Generate referral traffic
- This can be overwhelming for business owners, bloggers, and SEO agencies alike.
- That’s why many opt to outsource link building to specialists.
- It saves you time and leverages experienced professionals for better results.
The Advantages of Outsourcing Link Building (and When to Do It)
The primary benefit of outsourcing link building is time savings.
Few businesses or agencies have the bandwidth to build the necessary links in-house. Hiring a link building specialist or team internally can be costly and inefficient.
Outsourcing is a common practice for tasks that are essential but outside a company’s core competencies.
Key benefits of hiring a link building company include:
- Time Savings: Focus on what you do best and grow your business.
- Cost Savings: Outsourcing is often cheaper than in-house solutions, considering salaries, software, and tools.
- Reduced Stress: Avoid the anxiety of managing link building campaigns.
When to Consider Outsourcing Link Building
Outsourcing may not be viable for everyone or at all times. Consider these factors:
- Lack of time or resources to handle link building internally
- Absence of digital marketing expertise within your team
- Desire to expand link building efforts significantly
- Previous unsuccessful attempts at link building
- However, avoid outsourcing if you lack the budget or time to research a good company. Also, assess if it’s the right time for your site.
5 Tips for Outsourcing Link Building
If you decide to outsource, here are some tips to get started:
1.Do Your Research:
Ensure you hire a company that meets your needs and understands SEO and link building. Look at case studies, testimonials, and cost plans. Ask for information not available on their website.
2.Understand the Costs:
You get what you pay for. Avoid cheap agencies or freelancers that deliver poor results. Compare the cost of outsourcing to hiring an in-house team.
3.Beware of Over-Promising:
Be cautious of agencies that guarantee #1 rankings. Look for realistic promises, specific timelines, and clear deliverables.
4.Understand the Process:
Know the logistics of link building campaigns. This knowledge helps you choose a reliable agency and understand the impact of their work.
5.Set Clear Expectations:
Establish mutual goals, communication methods, reporting schedules, and timelines. Ensure you have a clear understanding of the agency’s approach.
Additional Tips for Choosing an Outsourced Marketing Agency
- Ask for previous work samples
- Understand their workflow and flexibility
- Discuss budget and watch for hidden fees
- Prefer month-to-month programs over long-term contracts
- Avoid providers offering “cheap links”
