How does SubmitWell improve my website's ranking (SEO)?

We manually submit your startup to 100+ high-authority directories, creating quality dofollow and nofollow backlinks. These backlinks improve your domain rating (DR) and help search engines recognize your site as more trustworthy, leading to better rankings.

Do you use bots to submit?

No, we use 100% manual submissions. Our team manually reviews each directory and submits your startup by hand to ensure quality and proper categorization. This approach results in higher acceptance rates compared to automated tools.

Do you guarantee coverage/acceptance?

We guarantee that all submissions will be completed manually and professionally. We cannot guarantee acceptance by every directory (as each has their own review process), but we ensure quality submissions to all directories in your package.

How to Get Free Backlinks for Your Startup

1. Free Startup Directory Submissions

Most startup directories are free to submit to. Product Hunt, AlternativeTo, SaaSHub, Uneed, DevHunt, BetaList — these are all free platforms with DR 50–90+ that will create permanent backlinks to your site.

The cost is time. A thorough submission run across 50+ directories takes 8–15 hours. Alternatively, you can use a service like SubmitWell to handle manual submissions at a low cost, freeing your time for other activities.

2. HARO (Help A Reporter Out)

HARO sends daily emails with journalist queries seeking expert sources. Respond to relevant queries with concise, expert answers. When your response gets used, you typically earn a backlink from a major publication (Forbes, TechCrunch, Business Insider, etc.) with DR 80–95.

Free to use. Success rate is low (5–10%) but the quality of links you do get is exceptional.

3. Hacker News Show HN

A "Show HN" post on Hacker News is free and can generate significant traffic and a DR 90+ backlink from news.ycombinator.com. The key is being genuinely interesting to the technical community — not promotional.

Lead with the problem, show the solution, be honest about limitations.

4. Leave Testimonials for Tools You Use

Many SaaS companies feature customer testimonials on their website with a link back to the customer's site. If you use tools in your business, reach out to those companies and offer to provide a testimonial in exchange for a backlink.

Conversion rate is high (these companies want testimonials) and the backlinks are relevant (in your industry).

5. Respond to Roundup Articles

Find "best [your category] tools" articles in your niche and reach out to the author. Briefly pitch why your product deserves a mention. Many authors of roundup articles are open to adding new entries, especially if your product is free or offers a demo.

Free, scalable, and the links are highly relevant — Google values in-context editorial links heavily.

6. Build Something Free and Useful

A free tool, calculator, or resource that your target audience finds genuinely useful will attract organic backlinks over time. SubmitWell's free Domain Rating checker is an example — it attracts links because it provides real value.

This requires upfront investment (building the tool) but generates passive backlinks indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are free backlinks as good as paid backlinks?

Yes — and often better. Organic, editorial backlinks from high-DR sites are the most valuable type. Paid links (from link schemes) violate Google's guidelines and risk penalties. Free editorial backlinks from legitimate sources are what Google rewards.

How many free backlinks can I realistically get per month?

With directory submissions: 20–50 in the first month. With ongoing HARO and outreach: 2–10 high-quality editorial links per month. Modest numbers, but quality backlinks from high-DR domains compound significantly over time.