Crowdfunding Link Building: Donations That Deliver Links

Never heard of crowdfunding link-building?

I don't blame you! It's a very niche link-building strategy.

But it doesn't mean it isn't effective!

In fact, not only does it help you secure backlinks, but it also builds trust and visibility, especially locally.

In the article, I will show you how it works and how to execute it to get high-quality backlinks. I will also weigh the pros and cons of this tactic to help you decide if this is the right strategy for your business.

What Is Crowdfunding Link Building?

Let's break it down:

Crowdfunding is a system for collecting money from the public to support a project. While each contribution is too small to make a difference on its own, combined they cover the total cost.

Imagine you have a brilliant business idea but no funds to build it. Or you're a charity supporting a noble social cause strapped for cash. Or that someone you know found themselves in a tight spot and needs financial help.

If other funding options, like a loan, aren't viable, you can launch a crowdfunding campaign on a platform like Kickstarter or GoFundMe to collect the necessary money.

Here's an example of a campaign launched by Fast Lane Drive to support Californian firefighters battling the recent fires.

What does it have to do with link-building?

Many campaigns recognize supporters on donor pages, thank-you sections, or updates—often with backlinks to their websites.

For example, by supporting the Sex Workers' Opera on Kickstarter, you can get a dofollow backlink.

So, it's a win-win situation for you and the organization that receives your contribution or donation.

Is Crowdfunding Link Building Worth It?

Overall, yes. Crowdfunding link-building offers a bunch of benefits compared to other strategies.

For starters, it’s a white-hat way to get links—by supporting a campaign, you don’t violate Google’s guidelines. And not just any links but high-quality ones from authority domains!

Apart from the link juice, you get an online visibility boost and referral traffic.

This is particularly true on a regional scale, so if local SEO is your focus, that’s a tactic to try.

Best part?

The competition for these links is much lower because the tactic isn’t well-known.

It's a legitimate method to earn links without violating Google’s guidelines.

What about the downsides of crowdfunding?

The main one is that it's time-intensive.

Let me explain:

Unlike guest posting or other mainstream tactics, it doesn’t require creating resources—you just swipe your credit card or write a cheque. Quick and easy.

However, finding a suitable crowdfunding campaign is far from easy even though there are millions of them around the world every year.

And while it's generally a cost-effective strategy, securing backlinks from websites with high DR may require considerable donations.

Finally, the links can be short-lived. I've seen campaigns that offered mentions and links on their donor pages just to remove them within 3-4 months.

How to Do Crowdfunding Link Building

Let me take you through my process for building links via crowdfunding campaigns.

Find a suitable campaign to support

As mentioned, finding the right crowdfunding projects is the most challenging part of the process.

Think about it:

The campaign needs to be relevant to your niche. If you're in B2B SaaS, you want to support other software development projects. If your online store sells kitchens, you may support a kitchen gadget project. You get the drift!

Most importantly, the donation must give you a link, and not all organizers offer them.

The easiest way to find such campaigns? With advanced Google operators.

These two work well:

• site:[website url] inurl:projects +“donor page”

• site:[website url] inurl:projects +“link to your”

The first thing you will notice when you run your search is that some of the campaigns are already closed. To save yourself the effort, filter the results by time.

If there are lots of active campaigns that offer links, you can narrow down the results further using boolean symbols:

• site:[website url] inurl:projects +“link to your” AND "espresso"

Analyze the domain strength

Before you commit to a campaign, assess the website metrics to make sure it's a good investment.

You can quickly check the page's domain authority/rating (DA/DR) using our free tool!

For more in-depth insights, like page traffic, organic keywords, or inbound/outbound link ratio, head to your favorite link building tool.

Next, check if the links they offer their donors are dofollow. It's generally agreed that dofollow links have more impact on search engine rankings.

Checking the metrics serves two purposes.

First, it helps you determine how valuable the link is and your ROI. If the metrics are so-so, but getting the link requires a considerable contribution, you will be better off using a different tactic.

Perhaps more importantly, how long you're going to enjoy the benefits. A website with a solid following and strong DR is less likely to disappear.

Top crowdfunding platforms you should know

Here's a list of popular crowdfunding platforms where you can find relevant projects to sponsor.

Make a donation

So you've found your campaign and vetted their website. It's time to send some dosh their way.

How you do it depends on the website, but it usually follows a simple 3 step process:

1) Choose the contribution tier.

There are often multiple contribution levels which come with various benefits. Obviously, pick the one with the link.

Here's how you do it in Indiegogo.

2) Provide your details.

Next, fill in your details—your name, address, and payment details. And your website details, of course.

3) Submit your contribution.

If you're happy with the details provided, all that is left is to hit the submit button. And if necessary, verify the transaction with your bank. You know the drill.

Monitor the campaign website for changes

Once you submit your donation, keep your eyes peeled for your link placement. Monitor your campaigns' donor lists, thank-you pages, and updates.

If it doesn't appear after a few days, get in touch with the organizer and give them a gentle nudge to add it.

Something like this will do:

Launching your own campaign

Running your own campaign is an alternative way to secure a backlink to your website through crowdfunding sites.

Not all platforms allow you to include a link, and some of them are nofollow only, so their SEO benefits will be limited.  Check before you jump in (Kickstarter is one of the platforms that give you a dofollow link!).

Whether the link is dofollow or nofollow, they can still bring tons of qualified referral traffic to your website and increase your exposure. And, of course, you can secure funding for your new initiative.

Want to give it a bash?

Here are a few best practices:

Wrapping It Up

Crowdfunding link-building is an ethical way to diversify your backlink profile while supporting meaningful causes and increasing your online visibility and credibility. The potential rewards make it a worthwhile addition to your overall SEO strategy.

However, the opportunities are far and few between, and finding them requires considerable research, so you can't build your link-building strategy exclusively on crowdfunding campaigns.

The core of your link-building efforts should be based on other tactics, like editorial links, HARO, or digital PR.

If you'd like help planning and executing your link-building campaigns, get in touch with the Editorial.Link team!