Successful SEO relies on link building – but who should you hire to help you build those links? In this guide, we’ll take a look at 7 of the top UK-based link building services: fatjoe, UK Linkology, Rhino Rank, Appear Online, Searcharoo, Solvid and Click Intelligence. We’ll take a look at each of their strengths to help you pick the right agency for your needs.
What is Link Building?
Before we begin, let’s discuss exactly what link building is. Link building is an SEO tactic that involves building hyperlinks leading from other websites to your own site. These hyperlinks are known as ‘backlinks’ – the more backlinks a website has, the higher it is ranked by search engine algorithms.
Of course, the types of sites that these links are placed on matters. Search engines like Google don’t like spammy, irrelevant links. Instead, they value backlinks that are naturally incorporated into topical posts and articles on trusted high-traffic sites.
Why use a link building service?
DIY link building is a long and laborious process – it involves reaching out to tens and hundreds of sites with guest content requests and potentially having to write this content yourself. Link building services have already built up relationships with blogs and publications across the internet and have contracted writers they can use to build outreach content for you.
While these link building agencies all provide similar services, there is quite a lot of variation between them in terms of the rates they charge, the speed of delivery and the level of control you have when selecting sites for link placements. As a result, certain link building agencies may be better suited for certain types of clients.
Below are some of the top services in the UK rounded up and each of their strengths to help you find the right service for you.
The 7 Best Link Building Services
1. fatjoe– Best for small businesses
Staffordshire-based agency fatjoe is one of the most popular and established link-building services in the UK. Their focus is on affordability and speed – they make it possible to buy links in bulk for fast growth, making them an excellent solution for startups and small businesses trying to build some initial search engine presence. These links are all placed on genuine sites with solid traffic, and you have the option to choose metrics like traffic and domain authority to determine what types of sites they will end up on, however don’t expect as much precise control over link placement as other agencies.
2. UK Linkology – Best for manual link building
Based in Derby, UK Linkology focuses more on providing quality control. A good choice for SEO agencies and companies wanting thorough outreach vetting, they allow clients to manually pick out sites that are the perfect match using their precise ‘M-Flux’ scoring system. As a result, you’ll get high-quality links that move the needle, but expect a slower turnaround and higher costs.
3. Rhino Rank – Best for niche edits
Rhino Rank is based in Shropshire and has a curated approach to link building that involves selecting links that provide sustainable growth. You may want to consider using Rhino Rank if you’re looking for high-quality ‘niche edits’ – these are links inserted into already published articles and posts, rather than creating new content around links. Unlike some other agencies that provide manual selection of sites, Rhino Rank also benefits from being relatively low cost. Those wanting to boost the rankings of mid-tier sites may find them to be a well-balanced option in terms of affordability and site quality control.
4. Appear Online – Best for local SEO
A newcomer to the UK link building market, Appear Online is a Cardiff-based agency that has positioned itself as one of the top link building services for local SEO. They have a huge network of regional blogs and directories for locally-targeted links. It’s worth noting that Appear Online also isn’t just a link building service, but a full-stack SEO agency that can take care of onsite SEO and technical SEO too. This might not be of value to other fellow SEO agencies, but could be valuable to small companies looking for an all-in-one search engine optimization service.
5. Searcharoo – Best for specialized industries
Searcharoo is a link building service with offices across the UK. Their founder Karl Hudson is based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. This company stands out for its emphasis on ‘natural’ link placements – Searcharoo are able to pinpoint blogs and publications centered around niche topics to help ensure relevance when working with specialist industries. Companies in the finance and tech sector may find this useful when trying to build links for very niche products or services. They’re a low volume option, but you can be certain each backlink you get will positively affect your rankings.
6. Solvid – Best for digital PR integration
This London-based agency has a PR-focused approach to link building. They’re able to secure backlinks in news publications – including major outlets like BBC and Guardian in some cases. Such editorial features can be good for boosting the reputation of brands, potentially helping to bury negative news mentions. As an all-in-one SEO-agency, Solvid can also carry out an array of other SEO tasks for you. They’re also able to carry out general content creation.
7. Click Intelligence – Best for larger companies
Click Intelligence is a premium link building service based in Cheltenham. You’ll pay more for their service than some other agencies on this list, but you’re guaranteed high-quality relevant links due to their precise data-driven approach. Established brands may find that this company is a good choice for helping to take growth to the next level (feedback shows that they’re regularly able to drive 40% to 70% uplifts), as well as maintaining sustained high rankings.
Which UK link building service should you choose?
It’s important to choose a link building service relevant to your needs and purpose. Take your time to compare rates and determine what types of backlinks you want to obtain. The size of your business and industry could also be worth considering when choosing an agency.
