How to Build Backlinks for a New SaaS Website

Primary Keyword: how to build backlinks for a new SaaS website

Secondary Keywords: SaaS link building, SaaS backlinks, startup backlinks, link building for SaaS, new website SEO, digital PR SaaS, SaaS directories, partner backlinks, integration pages, guest posting SaaS, link reclamation, software SEO

Semantic Keywords: editorial links, link spam, relevance, authority, original data, partnerships, mentions, nofollow, sponsored links, referral traffic

Search Intent: How to / informational

A new SaaS website has a difficult link building problem: nobody knows the brand yet, the site has little historical authority, and generic outreach gives publishers no reason to care. The solution is not to buy large quantities of links. It is to create credible reasons for relevant sites to mention your product.

The strongest early SaaS link opportunities usually come from product discovery, partnerships, integrations, original assets, customer stories, and useful expert content.

Start With a Safe Link Building Principle#

Ask one question before pursuing a link: would this placement still be useful if Google did not count it as a ranking signal?

If the answer is yes because it can send users, demonstrate credibility, document an integration, or help readers, the opportunity is usually healthier than a link acquired only to manipulate rankings.

Google’s spam policies warn against link schemes, and paid placements should be appropriately qualified. That means a sustainable SaaS strategy should prioritize editorial relevance over purchased “dofollow” inventory.

1. Submit to Relevant SaaS Directories#

Directories are a practical starting point because a new product can often qualify based on what it is rather than how famous the brand is.

Choose active, moderated directories and niche directories that match your product. You can submit your app free to ListYourApp.online and consider other software marketplaces such as SaaSHub or AlternativeTo when relevant.

Do not submit to hundreds of low quality sites automatically. Directory links are most useful when the directory has real users and a category that fits your software.

2. Build Integration Pages#

If your SaaS connects with another product, create a useful integration page that explains the workflow. Then contact the partner and ask whether they maintain an integrations directory, marketplace, partner page, or documentation section.

An integration link is contextually strong because both products genuinely work together.

To improve the odds of being listed:

• create clear setup instructions
• include screenshots
• explain supported actions
• maintain the integration
• provide a stable landing page

3. Create Partner and Ecosystem Relationships#

Look for companies serving the same audience without competing directly. A proposal tool and an accounting platform may share customers. An SEO reporting platform and a local SEO tool may complement each other.

Partnership assets can include:

• joint guides
• webinars
• templates
• resource pages
• app marketplace listings
• case studies
• referral programs

The link should be a natural byproduct of the partnership, not the only reason the relationship exists.

4. Publish Original Data#

Original data gives journalists, bloggers, and other companies something to cite.

You do not need a massive research team. A SaaS product can often aggregate anonymized usage data to answer useful questions such as:

• average response time by industry
• most common workflow errors
• percentage of users choosing a feature
• seasonal usage patterns
• benchmark conversion rates

Protect privacy and explain methodology. A small credible dataset is better than a dramatic statistic with unclear sourcing.

5. Create Useful Free Tools#

Free tools can earn links because they solve a specific problem. Calculators, generators, checkers, templates, and interactive benchmarks are naturally referenceable.

The best free tool is closely related to your SaaS. It introduces the same audience to your expertise without requiring a purchase.

6. Write Linkable Reference Content#

Most generic blog posts are not link magnets. Reference content is different. It saves someone else research time.

Examples:

• industry glossary
• comprehensive checklist
• benchmark report
• template library
• API comparison
• pricing history
• migration guide
• curated statistics with original sources

Google’s helpful content guidance emphasizes original analysis and substantial value beyond simply rewriting other pages. That standard also makes content more likely to earn editorial links.

7. Use Digital PR#

Digital PR means creating a story that a publication has a reason to cover. A product launch alone is usually not news.

Better angles include:

• original data
• unusual customer trend
• industry change
• security research
• significant open source release
• useful public dataset
• strong founder insight tied to current events

Pitch journalists who actually cover the topic. Keep the email short and lead with the finding, not your company biography.

8. Contribute Expert Commentary#

Founders and product specialists can earn mentions by giving useful expert commentary to journalists, newsletters, podcasts, and industry blogs.

Answer with specifics. Explain what you have observed, what data supports it, and where uncertainty remains. Avoid turning every response into a product pitch.

9. Publish Customer Stories Worth Referencing#

A case study can earn links when it contains useful lessons beyond “customer loved our SaaS.” Include:

• original problem
• previous process
• implementation details
• measurable outcome where verified
• what changed operationally
• lessons for similar teams

Customers may link to strong case studies from their own site, especially when the story makes them look competent and innovative.

10. Reclaim Unlinked Brand Mentions#

As your SaaS gains visibility, search for pages that mention the brand without linking. If the link would genuinely help readers find the referenced product, politely ask the publisher to add it.

Do not demand links. Some publishers have editorial policies that prevent them.

11. Recover Broken Links and Old URLs#

If you change product pages, documentation paths, or brand names, monitor inbound links to old URLs. Redirect them properly instead of losing accumulated references.

You can also look for outdated links on resource pages where your product is a legitimate replacement, but the pitch should focus on fixing the broken resource rather than manipulating anchor text.

12. Guest Contributions With Editorial Value#

Guest writing can still be useful when the article serves the host site’s audience and the relationship is editorial. Avoid mass guest post marketplaces whose primary product is selling followed links.

Pitch topics based on your expertise, not topics designed only to insert a keyword anchor.

What About Link Exchanges?#

Occasional natural cross linking between partners can happen, but systematic exchanges created to manipulate ranking can fall under Google’s link spam policies. Do not build a campaign around “you link to me and I link to you.”

What About Paid Links?#

Paid visibility can be legitimate advertising, but Google recommends marking paid placements with rel="sponsored" or another appropriate qualification. Do not pay for links specifically because someone promises PageRank or ranking gains.

A 90 Day SaaS Link Building Plan#

Month 1#

Submit to relevant directories, create integration pages, identify existing partners, and publish one reference quality asset.

Month 2#

Outreach to integration partners, pitch the reference asset to relevant publishers, and collect customer stories.

Month 3#

Launch a small data study or free tool, reclaim unlinked mentions, and repeat the tactic that produced the best relevant links and referral traffic.

Measure More Than Domain Metrics#

Track:

• referring domains
• relevant referral traffic
• assisted conversions
• links to commercial pages
• branded search growth
• indexation of linked pages
• quality of referring sites

A lower authority industry site that sends real buyers may be more useful than a high metric site with no topical connection.

Conclusion#

Building backlinks for a new SaaS website is easier when you stop treating links as inventory. Create useful reasons to be mentioned: list the product in relevant directories, build genuine integrations, publish original data, partner with adjacent companies, and produce reference assets people want to cite.

Avoid shortcuts that depend on buying followed links or automating low quality submissions. The best SaaS backlinks tend to support both search visibility and real product discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions#

What is the easiest backlink for a new SaaS?#

Relevant software directories and legitimate product marketplaces are often the easiest starting point because they are designed to list software.

Should a new SaaS buy backlinks?#

Buying links for ranking purposes is risky and can violate Google’s spam policies. Paid advertising placements should be properly qualified.

How many backlinks does a SaaS need?#

There is no universal number. Relevance, quality, competition, content, and site structure matter more than hitting a fixed count.

Are nofollow links worth getting?#

Yes when they can send qualified users, create brand discovery, or appear on a trusted relevant site.

What SaaS content earns links naturally?#

Original research, benchmarks, free tools, reference guides, templates, technical documentation, and useful industry data tend to be more linkable than generic opinion posts.