How much should a SaaS spend on backlinks in its first year?
Spend time first and money later: free directory listings and launches cost nothing but effort, and budget belongs on content people want to link to. LinkPing cannot give a verified dollar figure; as of 2026-10-20, 165 of 223 known-price directories are free and 22 of 410 are paid-only.
Updated Markdown version
| Stage | Focus | Money |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1-2 | Free directories and launch platforms | None needed |
| Months 3-6 | Comparison pages, data, guides worth citing | Content time or a writer |
| Months 6-12 | Outreach and digital PR once there is something to pitch | Test small and measure |
- Do not buy bulk link packages.
- Treat any paid listing as an experiment with a stop date.
- Track referral traffic and sign-ups per source before repeating spend.
There is no benchmark in LinkPing data for a "correct" budget; the right amount depends on your market and runway.
Related directories
Related questions
- Are paid directory listings worth it? Which ones pay back?
- Link building agency vs DIY for an early-stage SaaS?
- Which directories should I submit my SaaS to in 2026?
Source: LinkPing directory library snapshot 2026-10-20. Figures update when the snapshot is refreshed.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay for directory listings?
Only for ones with a relevant audience. See the paid listings answer.
What is the cheapest effective link source?
Useful, citeable content and free listings in relevant places.