Do You Need a Manual Link Building Agency? A Guide
Manual link building is an important part of SEO. It means getting high-quality backlinks from trusted websites by reaching out and building relationships manually. Search engines like Google use backlinks to decide how trustworthy and relevant a site is, which helps it rank higher in search results.
Getting good backlinks isn’t easy. It takes time, skill, and a smart plan to find the right websites, write strong outreach messages, and secure links. Businesses must decide whether to handle link building themselves or hire an agency. Doing it in-house can work, but it’s time-consuming and may not get the best results.
A manual link-building agency such as Manic SEO takes care of the whole process, from research to securing links. With their experience and industry connections, they help businesses get high-quality backlinks from trusted sites, improving SEO and search rankings.
TL;DR
- Manual link building is the process of earning high-quality backlinks through personalized outreach and relationship building.
- In-house link building and services that use automated platforms can be challenging and time-consuming.
- A professional manual link building agency offers tailored prospecting, custom outreach, content creation, and competitor analysis.
- They use ethical, white-hat strategies to boost your SEO.
- Outsourcing to a manual link builder can improve your site’s rankings and domain authority if you’re struggling with link quality or expertise.
What is Manual Link Building?
Manual link building is earning links by conducting thorough research, selecting relevant prospects, reaching out to them individually, and negotiating a link.
Unlike automated or passive link acquisition, where links are generated through software or come from low-effort strategies like link farms, this approach requires a targeted, hands-on method. Website owners or SEO professionals must directly engage with site owners, editors, and influencers to secure valuable backlinks.
The importance of manual link building lies in the fact that it helps earn high-quality, contextually relevant backlinks.
These types of links come from authoritative sites within your industry or niche and provide a strong signal to search engines about your website’s credibility.
As a result, when search engines like Google evaluate a site’s relevance and authority, they give more weight to backlinks that come from reputable sources. Ultimately, quality backlinks are one of the most powerful ranking factors, boosting organic rankings and domain authority.
Moreover, search engines prioritize naturally earned, high-quality backlinks because they reflect genuine endorsements and organic content sharing.
On the other hand, automated link-building tactics often result in low-quality, spammy links that don’t align with SEO best practices and can even harm a website’s ranking. For instance, these low-quality links may come from irrelevant or disreputable sites, triggering penalties or a drop in rankings.
Evaluating Your Current Link Building Strategy
If you’re wondering whether your business needs outside help with link building, start by looking at what you’re already doing. Do you have a dedicated team, or are you short on time and expertise? Successful link building takes consistent effort, so if your team is stretched thin or struggling to get results, it might be worth bringing in professionals.
Next, think about how well your outreach is working. Are you landing high-quality backlinks from trusted sources? If response rates are low or the links you’re getting aren’t boosting your rankings, it could be a sign that expert help is needed. Building strong links often requires industry know-how and a solid network.
Check the quality of the backlinks you’ve earned using tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or Google Search Console. If most of your links come from low-authority or unrelated sites, your SEO may be suffering. On the other hand, strong backlinks from reputable sources can make a big difference in search rankings.
Finally, take a look at your competition. Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush can show you how your backlink profile compares to theirs. If they’re consistently getting better links, outsourcing to a manual link-building agency could help you catch up. If you’re struggling to secure quality links, seeing little SEO improvement, or feeling stuck despite your efforts, it may be time to get outside help.
Manual Link Building and SEO
One of the primary services provided by manual link-building agencies is targeted outreach.
This process involves researching and identifying high-authority websites and publications within your niche that would be ideal sources for backlinks.
Agencies then craft personalized outreach messages to site owners, editors, and influencers, pitching content or collaboration opportunities. By tailoring each pitch to the individual site’s audience and needs, agencies increase the likelihood of securing editorial links that are both valuable and relevant to your business.
In addition to outreach, many agencies also assist in content creation. Link-worthy content is a cornerstone of successful manual link building.
Agencies can help develop content that attracts backlinks naturally, such as well-researched blog posts, informative industry reports, case studies, or engaging infographics. This content is designed not only to be shareable but also to appeal to high-authority publishers and bloggers who are likely to link back to your site as a resource.
A key component of a manual link-building agency’s service is relationship-building. Successful link acquisition often hinges on strong connections with publishers, bloggers, and media outlets. Agencies leverage their established relationships to secure backlinks from trusted sources.
Over time, these relationships can provide ongoing opportunities for collaboration and link placement, further boosting your website’s credibility.
Additionally, reputable agencies prioritize white-hat tactics, adhering to ethical SEO practices. They focus on earning natural, high-quality backlinks through manual outreach and relationship-building.
White-hat strategies ensure that backlinks comply with search engine guidelines and reduce the risk of penalties.
Conversely, some agencies may resort to risky strategies, such as using private blog networks (PBNs), purchasing links, or engaging in link farms. These black-hat tactics can result in short-term gains but carry the risk of penalties from search engines, damaging a website’s reputation and rankings.
What does a Manual Link Building Agency Offer?
- Tailored Prospecting
- Custom Outreach
- Content That Adds Value
- Competitor Link Analysis
A reputable manual link-building agency offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at improving your website’s backlink profile through ethical, strategic outreach.
These agencies specialize in acquiring high-quality, contextually relevant backlinks from authoritative sites within your industry or niche. Their efforts ensure that the links you receive are not only beneficial for SEO but also contribute to your website’s long-term growth.
Tailored Prospecting
When trying to improve your rankings, you need the right prospects to reach out to.
Prospects are websites that you want to potentially insert a dofollow link in.
Automated link building services have established databases of websites they consistently work with. They have an agreement to ensure a certain amount of link requests for each site, every month. However, this means that all clients of this automated service have links on the same websites as you. For that reason, they may not be the most valuable in terms of relevance and link juice.
On the flip side, with a manual link building agency, you get a unique list of prospects every month. The agency would check the top keywords, topical authority, organic search traffic, DR and backlink profile of each website before they reach out to it with a link request.
This way, you get links on websites that are tailored to your niche, contextually relevant and do not just insert links from anyone!
Custom Outreach
One of the most valuable services that manual link-building agencies provide is personalized outreach. Unlike automated methods, which rely on generic emails or mass outreach, agencies take a hands-on approach to target high-quality websites for backlink acquisition.
The process begins with thorough research to identify authoritative, relevant sites within the industry. These sites are typically those that align with your business’s niche, have strong domain authority, and feature content that naturally connects with your website’s subject matter.
Agencies craft tailored pitches that resonate with site owners and editors. These pitches are personalized to the specific needs and interests of the target website.
For instance, the agency might highlight how your content could provide value to their readers or how it fits seamlessly into their existing editorial focus. By showing that you are well aware of the target site’s audience, the agency increases the chances of getting a positive response and securing a backlink.
Building strong, long-term relationships with site owners and content managers is another key aspect of custom outreach. Agencies do not just aim for one-time link placements but work to establish trust and rapport with influential publishers and bloggers.
Over time, these relationships can lead to more frequent backlink opportunities and further collaborations.
Strategic outreach ensures that the backlinks acquired are both high-quality and relevant, which aligns with SEO best practices. For example, a manual outreach campaign might secure a link from a well-known industry blog that publishes a review or guest post about your product or service.
This type of link is valuable because it comes from a trusted source and directly connects with your target audience. As a result, these editorial links contribute positively to your website’s SEO performance, improving its authority and organic rankings.
Content That Adds Value
Many manual link-building agencies assist businesses by creating high-value content that naturally attracts backlinks.
Content creation plays a critical role in link-building because quality content is one of the primary ways to earn editorial links from reputable sources.
Agencies understand that the most effective content is not only informative but also compelling and shareable, making it more likely to be linked by bloggers, journalists, and industry influencers.
One key type of content that agencies create are well-researched blog posts. These posts are designed to answer common questions or provide unique insights within your industry.
By focusing on relevant, trending topics and presenting original, data-driven content, these blog posts become valuable resources that others want to link to. Well-crafted blog content can also address gaps in existing information, positioning your site as a go-to authority in your field.
Infographics are another popular type of content used for link-building. Infographics distill complex data into visually appealing and easy-to-understand graphics.
Because they are highly shareable, infographics are often picked up by other websites, especially those looking to add visual elements to their content. Agencies create infographics that are both informative and engaging, increasing the likelihood of them being linked by other publishers.
Industry reports are also valuable tools for link building. These in-depth reports provide original research, analysis, or insights that can be referenced by other businesses and media outlets.
Agencies often compile data on industry trends, consumer behavior, or emerging market opportunities to create reports that attract attention and backlinks from high-authority sources.
To maximize the effectiveness of these content pieces, agencies also optimize them for shareability. This includes adding compelling headlines, incorporating multimedia, ensuring content is easily shareable on social media, and strategically placing calls to action.
Competitor Link Analysis
A key service provided by manual link-building agencies is competitor link analysis, a data-driven strategy that helps identify valuable backlink opportunities. By analyzing the backlink profiles of competitors, agencies can uncover links that are contributing to their SEO success.
This insight allows them to develop a targeted strategy for acquiring similar high-quality backlinks for their clients.
To conduct a thorough competitor analysis, agencies use powerful SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush.
These tools allow agencies to examine the backlink profiles of competitors in detail, identifying where their links come from, how authoritative those sources are, and the types of content that are earning them backlinks. With this data, agencies can pinpoint which sites are linking to competitors but not to their own site, thus revealing potential link gaps that can be targeted in outreach campaigns.
Once the link gaps are identified, agencies develop a strategy to acquire backlinks from the same or similar authoritative sources. This could involve reaching out to sites that have linked to competitors and offering them content or collaboration opportunities, or it could mean creating new content that fills gaps in the competitor’s link profile and attracts similar links.
Key Benefits of Hiring a Manual Link Building Agency
Outsourcing link-building efforts to a professional agency offers several key advantages for businesses aiming to improve their SEO performance. One of the primary benefits is time savings.
Link building is a resource-intensive task that requires consistent outreach, relationship management, and ongoing monitoring. By hiring an agency, businesses can free up time to focus on other aspects of their marketing strategy, leaving the complex process of acquiring high-quality backlinks in the hands of experts.
Agencies also bring specialized expertise to the table. They have a deep understanding of SEO best practices, link-building strategies, and industry trends. Their experience allows them to implement effective outreach campaigns that target high-authority, relevant websites.
In addition, link-building agencies typically have access to an extensive network of publishers, bloggers, and media outlets. These established relationships make it easier for agencies to secure high-quality backlinks quickly and efficiently, which can be challenging for businesses without the necessary connections.
Another key advantage is the reduced risk of penalties. A professional agency focuses on white-hat link-building tactics, ensuring that the acquired backlinks comply with search engine guidelines. This reduces the risk of penalties that can occur from using black-hat methods, such as buying links or participating in link farms.
Finally, agencies often achieve better results due to their refined outreach processes and industry connections. They have established systems in place for identifying opportunities, conducting outreach, and securing links.
Signs That You Should Hire a Manual Link Building Agency
There are many signs that you might need to hire a professional link-building agency:
If your website’s growth has stopped and your search ranking isn’t improving – even though you’re working on SEO – it might be time to look at your backlinks. Good backlinks are very important for better rankings, and without a steady plan to get them, your website may not grow.
If you’re having a hard time getting links from trusted websites even when you reach out, it might mean you don’t have the right skills or tools. Link building is a tough process that needs special knowledge and the ability to build relationships. A link-building agency can use their experience and contacts to get good backlinks.
Also, if your team does not have the skills for link building, hiring an agency can help. Link building means planning, creating content, reaching out, and keeping good relationships. All of these need special skills. If your team does not have enough time, money, or knowledge to handle these tasks, professionals can fill the gap and bring better results.
If you are wasting time and money on ideas that do not work, that is another sign you should consider hiring an agency. If your current link-building efforts do not work well, an agency’s smarter methods can help you get more value from your investment. Agencies work faster and smarter, often giving you better results in less time.
Finally, if your business is in a very competitive industry, it can be very hard to get good backlinks without expert help. In these cases, a link-building agency can give you an edge by getting backlinks from trusted sources that help your business stand out.
Choosing the Right Manual Link Building Agency
Selecting the right manual link-building agency is a critical decision that can have a significant impact on your website’s SEO success. It’s important to choose an agency that aligns with your business goals, values ethical practices, and has a proven track record of delivering high-quality results. Below are key factors to consider when choosing the right agency.
Transparency and Communication
A good link-building agency is open about its work. They explain their plans step by step and show you how they will build links for your website. They answer your questions and make sure you understand their methods. Avoid agencies that do not share clear details or hide how they work. Regular updates help you see the progress of your campaign and make sure everything meets your SEO goals.
Case Studies and Client Testimonials
When looking at agencies, ask for case studies or examples of their work. Good agencies usually show examples that prove they can get high-quality backlinks for different types of businesses. Customer reviews can also help you see if the agency is trustworthy. Positive feedback from clients who have seen better SEO results can show you how well the agency works.
Ethical Practices
It’s crucial to choose an agency that prioritizes ethical, white-hat link-building practices. Agencies that use black-hat tactics – such as buying links, using private blog networks (PBNs), or engaging in link farms – may deliver short-term results but can ultimately harm your site’s reputation and result in penalties from search engines. A professional agency will focus on acquiring natural, relevant backlinks through legitimate outreach and content creation strategies.
Avoid Guarantees of Instant Results
Be cautious of agencies that guarantee instant or overnight results. Link building is a long-term strategy that requires patience and consistent effort. Any agency that promises rapid outcomes is likely using questionable methods that could lead to penalties. Sustainable SEO success takes time and effort, and reputable agencies will focus on achieving long-term growth through strategic link acquisition.
Alignment with SEO Goals and Reporting
The right agency should work closely with you to align their link-building efforts with your overall SEO goals. They should also provide regular, detailed reports that demonstrate the impact of their link-building activities on your site’s performance. These reports should include metrics such as domain authority improvements, new backlinks acquired, and their impact on search rankings.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Link Building Agency
Before hiring a manual link-building agency, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure they are a good fit for your business and adhere to ethical practices. Here are key questions you should ask when vetting potential agencies:
1. What are your link outreach methods?
Understanding the agency’s approach to outreach is crucial. A reputable agency should explain how they identify target websites for link acquisition and how they engage with site owners or editors. Be cautious of agencies that rely on mass outreach or automated tools, as these methods often lead to poor-quality backlinks.
2. What is your process for acquiring links?
Ask the agency to walk you through their link-acquisition process. They should focus on earning high-quality, relevant backlinks through strategic outreach, content creation, and relationship-building. Agencies that use black-hat tactics or shortcuts, such as buying links, should be avoided as these practices can result in penalties.
3. What is the average turnaround time for acquiring backlinks?
Understanding the typical timeline for securing backlinks will help set expectations for your campaign. Link building is a long-term strategy, so be wary of agencies promising quick results. High-quality backlinks often take time to secure, and a professional agency will have realistic expectations regarding turnaround times.
4. How do you report on progress and results?
Transparency in reporting is essential. Ask the agency how they measure and report on their efforts. They should provide regular updates that include key metrics, such as the number of backlinks acquired, improvements in domain authority, and changes in search rankings. A lack of reporting transparency is a red flag.
Request case studies or client references to verify the agency’s success in executing link-building campaigns. Reputable agencies should have documented proof of their ability to secure valuable, high-quality backlinks.
Red Flags to Watch for in Link Building Services
When hiring a manual link-building agency, it’s important to be aware of red flags that suggest the agency may be using unethical or ineffective techniques. These warning signs can lead to penalties, damage your website’s reputation, and ultimately hinder your SEO efforts. Here are key red flags to watch for:
Use of Private Blog Networks (PBNs)
PBNs are networks of websites created specifically for the purpose of selling backlinks. These networks often consist of low-quality, irrelevant websites that exist solely to manipulate search rankings. If an agency mentions or uses PBNs in their link-building strategy, it’s a major red flag. PBN links are risky because they violate Google’s guidelines and can result in penalties that negatively impact your website’s ranking.
Paid Links Disguised as Organic Placements
Some agencies may offer paid links disguised as organic placements. While paid links might seem like an easy shortcut to acquiring backlinks, they are against search engine guidelines if not disclosed properly. Paid links can lead to penalties if search engines detect them, as they undermine the fairness of search rankings. Be wary of agencies that guarantee a large number of links from unverified sources or do not clearly explain how they acquire links.
Lack of Reporting Transparency
A trustworthy agency should be transparent with their reporting and provide regular updates on the progress of their link-building efforts. If an agency is not forthcoming with detailed reports on the backlinks they’ve acquired, it’s a warning sign. Transparent agencies will provide data on the quality and relevance of the links they acquire, as well as their impact on your SEO performance.
Focus on Quantity Over Quality
Be cautious of agencies that prioritize quantity over quality. A high volume of low-quality backlinks can harm your website’s reputation and result in penalties. Agencies that focus on securing a large number of links without considering their relevance or authority are not using a strategic, sustainable approach. Quality backlinks from authoritative, relevant sources are far more valuable than sheer quantity.
Measuring the ROI of a Manual Link Building Agency
To effectively measure the return on investment (ROI) of outsourcing link-building efforts, businesses must track several key performance indicators (KPIs) that indicate the impact of their link-building campaign. These KPIs help assess whether the investment in an agency is delivering tangible results.
Domain authority (DA) is a critical metric used to predict how well a website will rank on search engines. As backlinks from authoritative sources are acquired, your website’s DA should increase. Tracking changes in DA over time provides an indication of the overall strength and credibility of your site’s backlink profile. A steady increase in DA suggests that the link-building efforts are positively affecting the site’s authority.
Organic Traffic Growth
One of the most direct measures of SEO success is organic traffic growth. By tracking traffic from organic search using tools like Google Analytics, businesses can monitor how well their link-building strategy is driving visitors to their site. Increases in organic traffic over time often correlate with improved rankings as a result of high-quality backlinks.
Keyword Ranking Increases
Tracking keyword rankings before and after implementing a link-building strategy is another key way to measure ROI. Improved rankings for targeted keywords indicate that backlinks are helping your website rank higher in search results. Using tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush allows businesses to monitor keyword movements and identify which keywords benefit most from their link-building efforts.
Referral Traffic
Referral traffic, or traffic coming from other websites, is another valuable KPI. As you acquire backlinks from authoritative, relevant sites, you should see an increase in referral traffic. This traffic is a sign that your backlinks are not only improving SEO rankings but also driving visitors directly to your site from external sources.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments
To ensure a positive ROI, continuous monitoring is essential. Link-building efforts should be reviewed regularly to adjust strategies based on the performance data. Tracking these KPIs over time will help businesses determine if their investment in a manual link-building agency is yielding sustainable, long-term SEO success.
Bottom line
Manual link-building agencies help businesses secure high-quality backlinks, boosting rankings and domain authority. For those struggling with in-house efforts or strong competition, outsourcing can provide expertise and industry connections for sustainable SEO success. Assessing backlink gaps and researching agencies ensures the right choice for long-term growth.
Author bio:
Mariela Kashukeeva is the founder of Manic SEO – a full-stack SEO and manual link building agency. With over 7-year experience in SEO and business development, she is responsible for establishing collaboration opportunities with high-authority websites and creating amazing content.
