The Challenge: Building SEO from Scratch
When launching a new SaaS product, visibility is crucial. Building backlinks isn't just about quantity—it's about quality, relevance, and strategic placement.
In this guide, we'll explore proven strategies that actually work for SaaS companies in 2026.
"The best backlink is one that brings both SEO value and real referral traffic."
Why Backlinks Matter for SaaS
Backlinks remain one of the most important ranking factors for search engines. For SaaS companies, they serve multiple purposes:
- Domain Authority: Quality backlinks increase your site's authority and trustworthiness
- Referral Traffic: Well-placed links bring targeted visitors directly to your product
- Brand Visibility: Being featured on relevant sites increases brand awareness
- AI Discoverability: AI tools like ChatGPT reference sites with strong backlink profiles
Directory Submissions: The Foundation
Directory submissions are often overlooked, but they provide a solid foundation for your backlink profile. The key is choosing the right directories:
High-Value Directory Types
- Product Hunt Alternatives: Sites like BetaList, AlternativeTo, and SaaSHub
- Industry Directories: Niche-specific listings for your market
- Startup Ecosystems: Crunchbase, AngelList, F6S
- AI Tool Directories: Essential for AI-focused products
Submitting to these directories builds a diverse, natural-looking backlink profile that search engines trust.
Content Marketing for Links
Creating valuable content that naturally attracts links is a sustainable long-term strategy:
Content Types That Earn Links
- Original Research: Surveys, studies, and data analysis
- Comprehensive Guides: In-depth tutorials and how-tos
- Tools and Calculators: Free interactive tools
- Case Studies: Real results with specific numbers
Outreach Strategies That Work
Proactive outreach can accelerate your link building, but it requires a thoughtful approach:
Effective Outreach Tactics
- Broken Link Building: Find broken links on relevant sites and offer your content as a replacement
- Resource Page Outreach: Get featured on curated resource lists
- Guest Posting: Contribute valuable content to industry publications
- HARO/Help a B2B Writer: Respond to journalist queries
Measuring Success
Track these metrics to measure your backlink building success:
| Metric | Tool | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Rating | Ahrefs | Increase of 10+ in 6 months |
| Referring Domains | Ahrefs/Moz | 50+ new domains quarterly |
| Organic Traffic | Google Analytics | Month-over-month growth |
| Keyword Rankings | SEMrush | Top 10 for target keywords |
Conclusion
Building quality backlinks takes time and consistent effort. Start with directory submissions to build a foundation, then layer in content marketing and strategic outreach.
Remember: the goal isn't just rankings—it's building genuine visibility and authority that drives real business results.
Ready to get started? Submit your SaaS to 100+ directories and jumpstart your backlink profile today.