SaaS Launching Strategy #9: How to Build Backlinks for SEO Growth
Why Backlinks Matter for Your SaaS Launch
You’ve built a landing page. You’ve published a blog post.
But you’re still nowhere on Google. Sound familiar?
The reason is simple:
Google cares not just about what you say — but who links to you.
If other websites don’t link to yours, your content has little authority in the eyes of search engines.
That’s why learning how to build backlinks is crucial to long-term SEO visibility.
Backlinks are like votes of confidence from other sites. And when those votes come from trusted sources, your content climbs higher in search results.
What Are Backlinks (And Why Should You Care)?
A backlink is a link from another website that points to yours.
Example: If a blog links to your SaaS homepage or launch page, that’s a backlink.
But not all backlinks are created equal.
(Before you learn how to build backlinks, it’s essential to first understand exactly what backlinks are)
Two types of backlinks:
| Type | What it means | SEO impact |
|---|---|---|
| Dofollow | The default. Search engines follow it. | ✅ Positive |
| Nofollow | Tells search engines “don’t follow this.” | ❌ No SEO boost |
- Nofollow links come from blog comments, forums, or some paid placements.
- Dofollow links come from actual editorial content, PR articles, and SaaS directories.
If you’re trying to learn how to build backlinks for SEO, focus on dofollow links from high-authority, relevant sources.
How to Build Backlinks for Your SaaS: 5 Practical Tactics
1. Add Links to Your Press Releases
PR distribution is one of the most underused ways to build high-quality backlinks.
You can insert dofollow links to your website or blog directly inside your press release — and distribute it to hundreds of news sites.
Key tip:
Make sure the links are contextual, not promotional (e.g. “To see how it works, visit the [homepage]”).
Free platforms:
StartupBase – Startup directory + press mentions
BetaList – Pre-launch exposure with links
Indie Hackers – Community threads with profile links
Paid PR platforms:
| Platform | Strength | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PRWeb | Wide syndication, SEO-friendly | From $99 |
| EIN Presswire | Tech/startup focused, good SEO value | From $99 |
| Business Wire | Enterprise-grade, global visibility | From $300+ |
Well-distributed PR can result in dozens of dofollow backlinks across media domains.
2. Write Guest Posts
Find relevant SaaS blogs, startup publications, or niche newsletters and offer to write a value-driven article in exchange for a backlink.
Examples:
“How We Built and Launched Our MVP in 30 Days”
“Lessons from Our First 100 SaaS Signups”
Include links to:
Your product
A case study
Or a relevant blog post
Make sure it’s natural and context-driven, not promotional.
3. Get Reviewed on Blogs and YouTube
Reach out to SaaS reviewers, tech bloggers, or YouTubers and offer early access to your product in exchange for an honest review.
Note:
Don’t buy backlinks or offer money in exchange for link placement.
This violates Google’s guidelines and may lead to penalties.
Instead, focus on creating a product or resource that’s worth sharing.
4. Submit Your SaaS to Relevant Directories
When it comes to how to build backlinks for a SaaS product, there’s a key difference from other industries: the presence of active SaaS directory platforms. These directories are a powerful resource — and leveraging them should be a core part of your backlink strategy.
High-authority SaaS directories are a great source of SEO-friendly backlinks.
| Directory | Link |
|---|---|
| Product Hunt | Launch and collect dofollow links |
| G2 | Software comparison, add your product |
| Capterra | B2B SaaS discovery platform |
| SaaSHub | SEO-friendly with product profiles |
| Launching Next | Startup showcase + backlinks |
Make sure to fill out your profiles and include a clear homepage URL or feature-specific landing page.
5. Find Unlinked Mentions and Ask for Attribution
Sometimes, other websites may mention your SaaS product but forget to include a link.
Use tools like:
When you find one, politely reach out and ask for a link to be added.
Sample outreach email:
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Backlinks
Focusing solely on how to build backlinks can make you lose sight of the true purpose of backlink marketing — building trust, authority, and meaningful visibility.
❌ Mistake #1: Collecting low-quality or spammy links
Submissions to shady directories or link farms might get you penalized by Google.
Fix: Focus on backlinks from relevant blogs, respected media, and well-known SaaS platforms.
❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring dofollow vs nofollow
Getting a hundred nofollow links won’t improve your SEO rankings.
Fix: Prioritize placements in editorial content, not comment sections or ads.
❌ Mistake #3: Forcing links in irrelevant content
When a link doesn’t fit the context, users ignore it — and Google notices.
Fix: Build content around the link, not the other way around. Make the link truly helpful.
Final Thoughts: Backlinks Are Invisible Growth Assets
Backlinks don’t bring instant traffic.
But over time, they build your domain authority — which unlocks higher rankings, better visibility, and long-term growth.
If you’re building a SaaS product, you can’t ignore SEO.
And you can’t master SEO without backlinks.
So learn how to build backlinks the right way:
Start small
Prioritize quality over quantity
Use your product story to create valuable connections
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