Introduction
In the world of SEO, link building remains one of the most important ranking factors. The number and quality of external links pointing to a website can directly impact search engine visibility and traffic. However, effective link building takes a considerable amount of time, effort, and strategy.
This is why many businesses turn to specialized link building agencies. These agencies have the expertise and resources to build links at scale and boost their clients’ rankings. But how much do their services really cost? In this article, we’ll break down the pricing structure of different link building agencies.
Types of Link Building Agencies
There are two main types of link building agencies: white hat and black hat.
White Hat Link Building Agencies
White hat agencies strictly follow Google’s webmaster guidelines. This means they only pursue editorially-given links and avoid manipulative tactics. For example, their strategies may include:
Outreach for guest posts, contributor articles, interviews, and reviews
Creating and distributing valuable content assets for linking opportunities
Connecting with webmasters and influencers to earn high-quality links
The benefit of working with white hat agencies is lower legal risk. However, their services do come at higher costs given the intensive time requirements for outreach and relationship building.
Black Hat Link Building Agencies
In contrast, black agencies employ questionable or downright manipulative link practices. Things like:
- Automated blog comment spam
- Article spinning to create “new” duplicate content
- Private blog networks (PBNs)
The advantage here is being able to build links at volume quickly and on the cheap. However, such tactics put sites at risk of getting hit by Google penalties. Most SEOs advise staying away from black hat agencies altogether due to reputation damage and near-guaranteed loss of organic visibility.
Factors That Determine Link Building Agency Costs
So beyond an agency’s general ethical standards, what determines how much they charge for link building? Key factors include:
- Link placement types – Editorial/guest posting is more expensive than web 2.0 links
- Link volume generated monthly – More links equals higher fees
- Content creation – Original content writing adds to costs
Additionally, full-service SEO agencies tend to charge a premium for link building when bundled into a broader optimization plan. Solo link builders and freelancers offer lower rates in exchange for narrower capabilities.
Cost Ranges to Expect From Different Agencies
Typical monthly costs can vary substantially depending on the link building agency:
White Hat Link Building Agencies:
- Solo link builders – $1,000 – $2,000
- Small agencies – $2,000 – $4,000
- Large/premium agencies – $4,000+
Black Hat Link Building Agencies:
- Entry-level – Less than $500
- Moderate – $1,000 – $3,000
- High-volume networks – $3,000+ (very risky)
- Evaluate Service Quality Before Committing
The cheapest agency options are tempting for businesses with tight budgets and link building needs. However, SEOs caution strongly against choosing purely based on price when agency shopping. Ask any prospective link builder the following:
- What specific outreach and link earning tactics do you utilize?
- How do you ensure link practices adhere to Google’s guidelines?
- Can references or examples of successful link building projects be provided?
Quality agencies will provide thoughtful responses while being transparent. Avoid firms that dodge compliance questions or seem to cut corners.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Link Building Agency Investments
Hiring a link building agency holds noteworthy advantages but also comes with downsides to consider:
Pros:
- Saves substantial time/workload for in-house teams
- Provides access to link prospect data tools
- Leverages specialized expertise running successful campaigns
- Delivers speedier results at scale
Cons:
- Expensive monthly costs with slower ROI
- Potential legal risks with questionable tactics
- Ongoing costs versus one-time fee model
- Vendor management overhead
For link building novices and overburdened in-house marketers, reputable agencies are likely worth the overhead and fees. However, tighter budgets may necessitate keeping efforts in-house or starting slowly with one of the many outstanding link building training courses now available online.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, link building requires significant investments of either ample time or money. Employing link building agencies alleviates the workload, but services supporting white hat SEO come at a steeper price.
Do due diligence when vetting agencies – their specific tactics, processes, and pricing models. Be wary of options clearly aimed at taking shortcuts. Lastly, view agency partnerships as long-term commitments for gradually improving authority and rankings month over month. With a sound strategy and trusted advisors, link building can transform an existing content program into measurable SEO gains.
