Backlinks matter. You know that. Google does too.
But building them is slow and difficult. Prospecting, outreach, negotiating, writing, chasing—it eats up time you don’t have.
So you’re left with two options:
Do it yourself. Or outsource to someone else.
Seems simple. But it isn’t.
Many providers make big promises and deliver low-value links. Some rely on shady tactics. Others charge premium rates for placements that have no real impact.
Why backlinks still matter
Google uses links to measure trust.
When a respected site links to yours, it tells Google your content is credible. That helps you rank for competitive terms.
But not all links are equal. A single backlink from a trusted, relevant site can do more for your rankings than 100 random ones. Irrelevant, low-quality links can even hurt.
That’s why many businesses outsource link building. Because doing it right takes skill, relationships, and time.
The hidden opportunity cost of DIY link building
DIY link building doesn’t just consume time—it steals focus from your core business.
For every hour spent on outreach, you lose an hour that could be spent improving your product, serving clients, or developing strategy. And most businesses vastly underestimate the learning curve.
Link building has evolved from simple email outreach to a complex marketing discipline. You need relationships with publishers, content creation skills, and technical knowledge of what makes links valuable.
When done poorly, it can even harm your site’s reputation with Google. One misstep with the wrong tactics, and you could face penalties that take months to recover from.
Outsourcing to experts isn’t just about saving time—it’s about reducing risk while maximising return.
What makes a link actually work
Relevance matters more than quantity.
A backlink from a fashion blog won’t help your software company.
Every link that works must check several boxes: it should be from a site that operates in your market space, placed naturally within relevant content, come from a real website (not a PBN), and the linking site should have genuine traffic. Without these elements, the link provides little value.
You could get 50 backlinks from random blogs and see no impact. Or you could get 5 from targeted, trusted sites—and start ranking.
A link should add value to the page it’s on—and make sense to both readers and search engines.
When to outsource
If you:
- Don’t have time to do it properly
- Need a steady flow of high-quality links
- Want to scale without building a team
- Are worried about damaging your domain with bad links
…then outsourcing is worth it.
It gives you access to systems, processes, and expertise that take years to build.
Red flags to watch out for
There are plenty of link sellers who offer fast, cheap results. But most come with risk.
Watch out for providers who guarantee rankings, offer hundreds of links for a few hundred pounds, or refuse to disclose where your links will come from. Be wary of anyone who doesn’t discuss topical fit or strategic planning in their pitch. These are all warning signs of low-quality services.
If it feels too easy, it probably is.
What a good provider should do
A strong link-building partner doesn’t just sell you links. They build relationships.
Quality providers will research your niche and competitors thoroughly. They’ll vet potential sites for authority, traffic, and industry alignment before reaching out. They’ll pitch real editors with valuable content ideas and write guest posts that genuinely add value to the hosting site.
The best partners secure links in editorial content rather than low-quality directories, and provide clear, transparent reporting on all placements.
If they can’t show you where links came from and why they matter, it’s not worth paying for.
What does quality link building cost?
This isn’t a fixed-price service.
Costs vary depending on your niche, the authority of the sites you want to target, and the quality of the content required.
As a guide:
- Cheaper links (under £200) are usually from low-value sites or networks that could put your rankings at risk
- Mid-range (£200–£500) may be hit or miss depending on the provider
- High-quality links (£500+) typically come from established, relevant websites with real traffic and editorial standards
Quality providers charge per link. Pricing reflects the time, research, and relationships required to secure placements that are actually worth having.
How to evaluate link building providers
Before committing to any provider, ask specific questions about their process. Find out if they can show examples of links built for clients in your sector. Ask what metrics they track beyond just link quantity and how they assess whether a site is worth targeting. Inquire about their content creation process for guest posts and how long they expect it will take to see tangible results.
Their answers will tell you whether they understand the strategic side of link building or just focus on numbers.
Measuring success beyond links
Good link building isn’t just about getting backlinks—it’s about growing your business.
A proper campaign should track ranking improvements for target keywords, organic traffic growth to linked pages, referral traffic from high-quality placements, and conversion rate from organic visitors.
Ask providers how they measure these outcomes, not just how many links they’ll build.
The bottom line
Links that work for you should:
- Help you rank, not risk your site
- Come from targeted, high-authority sites in your sector
- Show clear value in reporting
- Be managed by partners who understand SEO, not just link sales
Want links that actually move the needle? Make sure you’re asking the right questions before you outsource.
How Creative Tweed approaches link building
We handle every campaign in-house. No outsourcing, no shortcuts.
Our team researches your market, creates outreach campaigns, writes high-quality content, and secures links that meet strict editorial and industry standards—from high authority domains.
Quality control is built into our DNA. Every potential link opportunity undergoes a rigorous 20-point screening process to ensure it meets our exacting standards—guaranteeing you only receive placements of exceptional quality and value.
And we move fast. Most campaigns go live within two to four weeks.
You’ll get a full breakdown of placements, performance, and impact. No surprises. No black box.
