Everybody needs a little bit of help here and there, especially if it is regarding acquiring high quality links. Because the task is no walk in the park, it is a complicated process that needs some time to master and get used to. With your business desperately in need of immediate success and exposure, that help comes in the form of link building tools.
Don’t get that smile just yet, because you’ll be greeted by a lot of them as soon as you make your search. While the more options there are, the better, when it starts to get overwhelming and confusing, it becomes more of a hassle than a help.
Fortunately, you don’t have to try and test out every single one for yourself in order to know what’s best. Because out of the hundreds to thousands available tools, we narrowed them down to ten. It is then up to you to know which one works best for your budget and needs.
Table of Contents
1. Linkody
When you are just in the middle, not too advanced and need something more than basic, Linkody is something you should be looking it. It might be simpler than most link building tools out there, but it is capable of all the necessary features. You can track links, analyze backlinks, and manage all links and domains.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
If there is one thing to enjoy about this tool, it is simplicity. You don’t have to look far and wide for the features you need to use. They are all laid out intuitively and accessibly with a click of a button.
Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that this has a 30-day trial period. It asks nothing, so you can try it risk-free. At least, you will be able to test out the waters if it is the right tool for you, before committing and making an investment.
Pricing:
$14.90/month
Something to Lookout For:
With all the good things said, you should be wary of the limited features it brings. In most cases, you’d be able to work enough with the available choices, but keep in mind that the tool is unable to identify link-building opportunities or to reach out for links.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
Putting the good and the bad together, this tool is best when it comes to people who are neither a beginner or a professional in link building. It has enough features that are easy to use and for a cheap and flexible pricing option.
2. Ahrefs
They say, leave the best for last. But this one is too great to wait. If there is one tool that makes rounds around the internet for being a great link building tool, it’s Ahrefs.
If you are looking for an all-in-one tool that you can use for all your SEO strategies, not just link building, this is what you should pick. Because despite the expansive range of link building features, it also has a lot that concentrates on SEO. That includes rank tracking, keyword research tool, and even a SEO site audit feature.
Only interested with link building? It won’t disappoint you with its end-to-end link building capabilities and bulk analysis. To say the least, it has everything you need and more, so you will surely be left learning new productivity tools that will help your website further succeed.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
Since this is such a great tool with various features, it is hard to say what to like the most, because there are so many. One is the link intersect feature which allows you to identify websites that are using different links, except yours. This allows you to know which websites to put your link into and identify your competition.
If that isn’t enough, be ready to sort your pages based on their link growth. It makes it extremely easy to know which ones are effectively growing.
Pricing:
$99 – $999/month
Something to Lookout For:
The tool is so great that it is hard to find a flaw. It is one of the pioneers in the field so they have perfected it for their clients. But if you really need to look out for something, that would be the price. Because, it can easily get expensive the more features you add.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
As they say, if you want an all-in-one tool, get Ahrefs. And that is true. If you are working with various tools and that includes working with SEO, you are better off getting this one. Not only are you greeted with more features than you would get anywhere else, it is also easy to use.
3. JustReachOut
Are you having problems whom to reach out? It’s one thing to know that link building is about approaching the right websites, and another to know what those websites actually are. Fortunately, JustReachOut makes that a lot simpler by providing an updated list of journalists and influencers that you can reach out to.
The name of the tool emphasizes its purpose, making link building easier by just having to reach out. However, as you would know, the limitation is with personalities, nothing more. So, while it may be of huge help, don’t treat it like a perfect tool.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
While the purpose of the tool is to reach out, you don’t necessarily have to annoy journalists. There is a feature that allows you to search for source requests. What this means is that you are able to know what journalists want so you can reach out to ones who have an inclination towards you.
That paired with the inbuilt CRM makes this more than a niche tool, but rather something that you can use frequently. One way or the other, it will come in handy more frequently than you would expect.
Pricing:
$159/month
Something to Lookout For:
Looking at the price, it is not the most expensive out there. Considering the features, it’s not so much of a loss either. You might even say that it’s a bargain. However, look again, your monthly bill is billed annually. So, you need to pay for a year’s worth, which makes it more expensive than the others on this list.
So, unless you are willing to commit and use this tool for a very long time. You might be better off reevaluating your choices.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
A niche product that requires long-term commitment to use. It is perfect for people who are looking to capitalize on journalists and influencers on their link-building strategies, it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a professional. Though, it would help beginners the most, people who don’t have any form of connection just yet.
4. Moz Link Explorer
Another pioneer in the SEO and link building game is Moz. You should never doubt what this brings to the table because it is in the level of Ahrefs.
You are looking at what every link building tool can bring and that includes backlink profile analysis, link opportunities, identify and remove bad links, and repair broken links.
If you have any particular need, the Moz Link Explorer will surely be able to provide for that. It has all the features you are going to ever need to effectively grow your links.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
Just like any great all-in-one link building tool, it is hard to find the best thing to like about this tool. But if there is something that makes it stand out, it should be the ability to know what websites are linking to a competition. Imagine, you can type in a website and know where the link is being mentioned. When you know where your competition is, it is fairly easy to know where you should strive to put your links next.
Pricing:
$99/month
Something to Lookout For:
While Moz is an astounding tool already, if you compare it to Ahrefs, there is one thing to remember: it is a distant second from it. Why? The link database of Moz is much smaller than that of Ahrefs. So, if that is your priority, you should prefer it over Moz, otherwise, you’ll be disappointed.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
The people who are using Ahrefs are going to be the ones who’ll consider Moz Link Explorer. Those who know their link building strategies and tools. It can be professionals as well as those in the middle. Not entirely the best for beginners, but after a little learning curve, it is easy to get used to.
5. BuzzStream
The backbone of link building is outreach. You can’t earn links of you don’t reach out to websites. BuzzStream aims to alleviate that struggle with its features. Because, for the most part, it is an outreach platform. Instead of having to scour the internet to find who to contact for a specific website, you can just search it in the software.
Since it concentrates on outreach, it is optimized for that specific purpose. You are going to experience comprehensive and intuitive management for every outreach you’ve ever made. There is a compilation of all the emails sent and your position regarding a certain link opportunity.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
The great thing about BuzzStream is the wide range of flexibility you get in terms of outreach. For example, you can track and categorize a contact whether they are someone you have marketed to, agreed to a link, or you’ve been rejected. You can even create templates for your outreach emails to make it more effective to whom you are trying to convince.
Pricing:
$24/month
Something to Lookout For:
While it is an excellent outreach tool, it doesn’t do anything else. There aren’t many bells and whistles to this when it comes to other link building features. What that means is that you might need a different tool for everything else. So, be wary about that. This is not going to be an all-in-one tool and it wasn’t intended for such purpose.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
Is this for you? With its intuitive setup and easy-to-use features, whether you are a beginner or a professional, this can be the right tool for you. However, if you are looking for more advanced capabilities, you might need to look elsewhere.
6. NinjaOutreach
From its name, this tool is another one of those outreach-centric link building tools. There are a lot of them you’d say, but that’s the core essence of link building. It’s all about reaching out to as many websites as possible to have them use your link.
What sets this apart from the others is that it is more centered towards relevant influencers. Not only that, it has a huge database of them, more than any other. To give you a perspective, it is in the millions. So, if you are looking to have an influencer use your link, you are bound to find them in this tool.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
Using influencers to create links is mostly seen as not great because their presence is dominantly in social media. However, with this tool, you are able to find ones that have a website. You can even evaluate their site to know whether or not they are worth your time. Be able to know the domain authority, page authority, and number of backlinks before reaching out to an influencer.
Pricing:
$299/month ($119/month when paid annually)
Something to Lookout For:
You are getting quality service for a tool like this. Imagine getting a hold of millions of influencers in one place and be able to know whether or not they are worth your investment. Though, that comes with a price. The tool is much more costly than the rest that do similar work. So, if you don’t necessarily need the extensive database it offers, better find a much cheaper alternative.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
With an interface that is simple to use and features that are easy to understand, even a beginner is not going to find it hard to use. However, only those more experienced and know what their link building strategies are will be the ones who can make the most out of the range of options it provides.
7. Link Prospector
Are you tired of searching for potential websites that can link to you? Worry not because Link Prospector is here. Its name is indicative of what it does. It helps you prospect for sites that can potentially use your link.
What makes it great to use is it has a lot of link building opportunities you can use. That includes sponsorship opportunities, link addition opportunities, and many more. There are even hundreds of pre-made search strings built into the tool so that you only have to input relevant keywords and it will narrow down the most applicable choices for you.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
If all the comprehensive link prospecting service still doesn’t content you, there is one last thing that will blow your mind. Unlike searching in Google where you get returned with thousands of results which you have to scour through one-by-one, there is a ranking system that allows you to immediately choose the ones most relevant to your link.
Pricing:
$47/month
Something to Lookout For:
Confusing is an understatement to describe the entire tool. There is a lot to take note and there definitely is a learning curve to be aware of.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
It is one of the cheaper tools out there, but it isn’t entirely meant for beginners. As a matter of fact, it is intended for full-time link builders and SEO agencies. So, newbies, stir clear from this tool since it might get too complicated and become more of a hassle rather than a help to your link building strategy.
8. Pitchbox
Mainly functioning as an influencer outreach tool, Pitchbox is not something to be taken lightly. It allows you to reach out to top influencers with ease, along with searching for the right link building opportunities.
Does it end there? There is something that makes it worth the investment and that is its specialization towards SEO. Take note, it is integrated with SEO tools so you can pull out metrics for link vetting. Making sure to choose the best websites to market your link to.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
The workflow of Pitchbox is something worth emphasizing because it is built right into it. What this means is that when you start a campaign, it’s a step-by-step process from start to finish. You begin with finding high quality prospects then grab their contacts before finally sending them your outreach emails.
Pricing:
$195-$395/month
Something to Lookout For:
It’s hard to find a flaw with a seemingly perfect and well-balanced tool. But if you are looking for something to be cautious about, it’s the fact that there is no free trial here. While not the only tool that doesn’t provide it, it still means that you either invest on it or you don’t. There is no way for you to test out the waters first so you better be ready to commit right there and then.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
Beginners are going to find the integrated and intuitive workflow extremely helpful. It is also the best for people who are quite experienced in link building considering the wide array of things you can do with it.
9. Majestic
An all-in-one tool for discovering and analyzing links, so you only have to go to one place. Diving deeper into Majestic, you can choose from a number of backlink analysis options such as total number of backlinks, referring domains, and even analyzing the performance of an anchor text.
There isn’t really much to say with this tool, other than it is Majestic.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
What stands out the most with this tool is that you can optimize the way you discover links. You can do this by finding links based on their position on a page.
Pricing:
$49.99/month
Something to Lookout For:
It can be tempting for every beginner and amateur to seek out an all-in-one tool for all their link building needs. However, be wary, this has repeatedly received comments regarding its ancient and hard to use user interface. So, there is definitely a learning curve, along with confusion here and there.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
This is a hard to answer question because it should be the right tool for amateurs considering that it is an all-in-one tool. But with its complex user interface, it ends up not becoming the best choice. So, this is for those who are in the middle. If you are not entirely a newbie but need something to do everything in one place.
10. Monitor Backlinks
A majority of the tools on this list target either the intermediate or professional, but how about the beginners? One tool that addresses that need is Monitor Backlinks. It is specifically intended to be a backlink tool for those who are completely new to the SEO world.
What it does, for the most part, is pulls link data from other tools such as Moz and Majestic. It brings everything into a single dashboard so you get a lot of data all in one place. You are also given bonus features like SERP position tracking and detailed reporting.
What Makes It Great From the Rest of the Link Building Tools:
Black hat links are not something you want and this tool makes them easily identifiable so that you can just add them to a disavow file. No complex process, just a few clicks of a button.
Pricing:
$25 – 144/ month
Something to Lookout For:
If you use this tool, don’t try to compare it to the rest of what’s available in the market. It doesn’t even come close to the likes of Ahrefs. But for its price, it is to be expected. So, if you want more, this is not for you.
Who is This Link Building Tool For:
A tool that was specifically designed and made for beginners is going to be the best for beginners. Those who don’t have the skills of link building just yet, or those who are still in the middle of mastering their SEO and link building strategies.
It is simply a stepping stone. At some point, you are going to become more skilled and would want to do more. But before that, this is going to be the best tool to get you to learn without risking all your strategies and campaigns.
Did We Miss Anything?
There are definitely a lot more tools out in the market, but nothing beats these ten. They are the best in their class and if you want something that will work for you the most, these are going to be your best bet.
It’s not easy choosing from the ten when you only need one or two tools. But one thing is for sure, as long as you get one that is inline with your needs, you are bound to have the best experience.
With link building being a crucial part in SEO, these tools are going to be your best friends. And you can’t afford not to utilize them in their utmost capacity.
Don’t think you have what it takes to choose and implement a link building strategy? What you need is a little help from the best digital marketing agency. Contact us today for a free strategy consultation right for your needs.
