Link Building Pricing: How Much Should You Pay?

How Much Should You Pay for Link Building?

If you’re exploring link building to improve your website’s authority and rankings, you’re probably wondering: How much should I pay?
Link building pricing can vary significantly depending on link quality, niche, domain metrics, and service type.

In this guide, we’ll break down common pricing models, real-world examples, and tips to get the best value for your SEO budget.

Common Pricing Models

Per-Link Pricing (DA/DR-Based Tiers)

One of the most common ways to structure link-building pricing is per link, often based on domain authority (DA) or domain rating (DR).

Typical Rates:

• DA 20–39: $200–350 per link
• DA 40–49: $350–450 per link
• DA 50–59: $400–600 per link
• DA 60–69: $600–800+ per link
• DA 70+: $900–1500+ per link

Prices depend on the niche, quality, and whether the link is editorial or directory-based.

Monthly Retainers

Many link-building agencies work on monthly retainers that include outreach, content creation, link acquisition, and reporting.

Typical Retainer Ranges:

• Small business: $2K–5K/month
• Medium business: $5K–15K/month
• Enterprise: $15K–50K+/month

These retainers ensure consistent link growth and predictable performance tracking.

Project-Based Packages

If you prefer one-off campaigns, many agencies offer project-based link building.

Common Price Range:

• $5K–50K per campaign, depending on goals and link volume
• Delivery timeframe: 1–3 months

This model is ideal for site launches, migrations, or seasonal SEO pushes.

Performance-Based Pricing

Some vendors offer performance-based link building, where pricing is tied to improvements in ranking or traffic.
This model is rare and typically used by advanced agencies or long-term partners with clear KPIs.

Category	Details	Average Cost (USD)	Best For
Per-Link Pricing (Based on DA/DR)	Pay per link based on site authority (DA/DR).	DA 20–39: $200–350 DA 40–49: $350–450 DA 50–59: $400–600 DA 60–69: $600–800+ DA 70+: $900–1500+	Businesses needing selective, high-quality backlinks.
Monthly Retainers	Ongoing campaigns with content, outreach, and reporting.	Small Business: $2K–5K/month Mid-Level: $5K–15K/month Enterprise: $15K–50K+/month	Brands seeking consistent link growth and performance tracking.
Project-Based Campaigns	One-time link building projects for launches or seasonal SEO.	$5K–50K per campaign (1–3 months)	Startups or businesses needing quick SEO boosts.
Performance-Based Pricing	Pay based on achieved results (rankings or traffic).	Custom / Negotiable	Long-term partnerships and result-driven strategies.
In-House Link Building	Hire and train your own team for outreach and content.	~$177K per year (average)	Companies wanting full control and internal expertise.
Agency or Freelancer	Outsource link building to specialists or agencies.	Freelancer: $100–200/link Agency: $300–500/link Retainer: $2K–15K+/month	Businesses focusing on efficiency and scalability.

What Drives Link Building Prices?

Domain Metrics & Niche Relevance

Higher DA/DR and niche-relevant websites command higher prices.
Links in competitive niches like finance, SaaS, or health cost significantly more than generic directory links.

Outreach, Content Creation & Management Effort

You’re paying for more than just the link.
The time, expertise, and relationships required for editorial placements increase costs.

Link Quality (Editorial vs Directory/PBN)

• Editorial links in genuine articles on real sites = most valuable
• Directory links = cheaper but less effective
• PBN links = risky and can harm rankings

Always prioritise editorial placements for long-term SEO growth.

Vendor Markup & Agency Overheads

Agencies often mark up raw link costs by 50–100% to cover:

• Outreach labor
• Content writing
• Quality assurance
• Reporting & client communication

Example: A $150 vendor link may be sold for $400 as a full-service placement.

In-House vs Outsourcing Costs

Building an Internal Team

Running an in-house link building operation can cost around $177K/year, covering:

• Outreach specialists
• Content creators
• CRM & link tracking tools

Agency or Freelancer Costs

• Freelancers: $100–200 per quality link
• Agencies: $300–500 per link
• Retainers: $2K–15K+/month

Pros & Cons:

• In-house: More control, higher setup cost
• Agency: Faster results, less management overhead

What You Should Expect to Pay

Typical Per-Link Rates by DR

• DR30–39: $200–300
• DR40–49: $300–400
• DR50–59: $400–600
• DR60–69: $600–900
• DR70+: $1000–2000+

Budget for 15–30 High-Quality Links Monthly

To build consistent authority, aim for:

• 15–30 quality backlinks per month
• Budget: $5K–15K (depending on niche)

Reasonable Markups for Full-Service Packages

A 50–100% markup is normal when agencies handle:

• Outreach
• Content creation
• Link placement
• Replacement guarantees

How to Audit Link Building Proposals

Before hiring an agency or buying links, review their proposal carefully.

Key Questions to Ask:

• Do they show example sites?
• Are links editorial or directory-based?
• Is content included in pricing?
• What’s the timeline per link?
• Do they offer a replacement for lost links?

This helps you avoid overpriced or low-quality vendors.

Tips to Get Fair Pricing

Ask for a Breakdown (Link Fee + Service Fee)

Transparency matters.
Request a clear split between the raw link cost and service fees.

Approve Domains Before Purchase

Pre-approve all domains to avoid irrelevant, spammy, or off-topic placements.

Monitor Link Status & Replace Drops

Track your backlinks regularly and ensure your provider replaces any lost links promptly.

FAQs

Why are links priced differently per DA tier?

Higher DA sites require more effort, better content, and strong relationships, which drive prices up.

Is $300–500 per link normal?

Yes, for editorial links on genuine high-quality sites, that’s standard.

Can I get quality links for $100 or less?

Rarely. At that price, you’ll likely get low-quality or directory links. Always vet cheap offers.

How long does it take to see results?

Typically 2–4 months, depending on competition, link velocity, and crawl frequency.

Are all backlinks equally valuable?

No. Editorial and relevant links are far more impactful than directory or forum links.

Should I prioritise DR or traffic?

Both matter. DR shows authority, traffic shows engagement. A balanced mix works best.

Conclusion

Understanding link-building pricing helps you make smarter investments and avoid cheap, spammy offers.

Focus on:

• Quality over quantity
• Transparency in pricing
• Partnering with reputable vendors or agencies

Start small, test results, and scale what works. That’s how you’ll build sustainable link authority and long-term SEO growth.