If you’re exploring linkbuilding 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 factors such as 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 popular ways to structure link building pricing is by the number of links, typically 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 vary depending on the niche, quality of the site, and whether the link is editorial or directory-based.
Monthly Retainers
Many agencies offer monthly link building retainers:
- Small business: $2K–5K per month
- Medium business: $5K–15K per month
- Large/enterprise: $15K–50 K+ per month
Monthly retainers usually include outreach, content creation, link acquisition, and reporting with set expectations on the number and quality of links.
Project-Based Packages
If you prefer one-off campaigns, many agencies offer project-based linkbuilding:
- $5K–50K per campaign, depending on goals and link volume
- Typically delivered over 1–3 months.
Perfect for site launches, migrations, or seasonal SEO pushes.
Performance-Based Pricing
Some vendors offer performance-based linkbuilding tied to traffic or ranking results, but this model is rare and typically used by advanced agencies or in long-term partnerships.
What Drives Link Building Prices?
Domain Metrics & Niche Relevance
Higher DA/DR and niche-relevant sites command higher prices. Links on popular sites in competitive industries (finance, SaaS, health) cost more than generic directory links.
Outreach, Content Creation & Management Effort
You’re paying for more than a link; the time, expertise, and relationship-building required for top placements drive costs up.
Link Quality (Editorial vs Directory/PBN)
- Editorial links in genuine articles on real sites are most valuable and most expensive.
- Directory links and profiles are cheaper, but less impactful.
- Avoid PBN links; these may harm rankings.
Vendor Markup & Agency Overheads
Agencies typically mark up vendor link cost by 50–100% to cover:
- Outreach labor
- Content writing
- Quality checks
- Reporting and client management
Example: A vendor link might cost $150 raw, but be sold for $400 with full service.
In-House vs Outsourcing Cost Comparison
Building an Internal Team
Running in-house linkbuilding can cost ~$177K per year:
- Salaries for the outreach team
- Content creation
- CRM tools
- Link tracking systems
Agency / Freelancer Costs
- Freelancers: $100–200 per quality link
- Agencies: $300–500 per link
- Full monthly retainers: $2K–15 K+ per month
Pros & Cons of Each Route
In-house: More control, higher setup cost
Agency: Faster results, less internal overhead
What You Should Expect to Pay
Typical Per-Link Rates by Quality
- 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/Month
Building authority typically requires 15–30 links monthly:
- Budget: $5K–15K depending on niche and link targets
Reasonable Markups for Full-Service Packages
Markups of 50–100% are common when agencies handle content, outreach, QA, and link guarantees.
How to Audit Link Building Proposals
Before hiring an agency or buying links, audit their proposal:
- Do they list example sites?
- Are links editorial or directory-based?
- Is content included?
- What’s the timeline per link?
- Is there a replacement policy for lost links?
Asking these questions protects your investment and avoids paying for low-value placements.
Tips to Get Fair Pricing
Ask for Breakdown Link Fee + Service Fee
Transparency matters; insist on seeing the split between link cost and service fees.
Approve Domains Before Purchase
Pre-approve domains to avoid irrelevant or spammy placements.
Monitor Link Status & Replace Drops
Links may drop naturally; our provider should monitor and replace them as needed.
FAQs
Why are links per-DA tier priced differently?
Higher authority sites require better content, more outreach effort, and publisher relationships.
Is $300–500 per link normal?
Yes, this is standard for editorial links on genuine sites in competitive industries.
Can I get quality links for $100 or less?
It’s possible, but typically not editorial links on strong domains. Vet low-cost offers carefully.
How long does it take to see results from link building?
Generally, 2–4 months, depending on competition, link quality, and how often search engines crawl the new links.
Are all backlinks equally valuable?
No. Editorial links from high-authority, relevant websites offer much greater value than directory or forum links.
Can I just buy a large volume of cheap links?
Quantity without quality can harm your site. A few high-quality links will always outperform hundreds of spammy ones.
Should I prioritize DR or traffic when buying links?
Ideally both. DR indicates authority, while traffic shows real audience engagement. Balanced metrics give the best results.
Conclusion
Understanding link building pricing helps you set realistic budgets and avoid poor-quality providers.
Prioritize:
- Quality over quantity
- Transparency in pricing
- Partnering with trusted agencies or freelancers
Start small, test partners, and scale what works. A smart linkbuilding investment can drive long-term SEO growth and better rankings.
