A Practical Software Directory for Solo Builders
Understanding links and building connections beyond your website
Other websites can help people discover your work through relevant links, recommendations and references to your expertise.
Tools in this category will help you to...
Research websites linking to your pages, monitor changes and find relevant opportunities to contribute or connect. Some focus on backlink data; others help you reach publishers looking for useful input. Start with relevance and the value you can offer. Link counts and authority scores provide context, but they do not tell the whole story about a website or guarantee the benefit of a particular link.
✓ Personally tested | ◇ Research reviewed | ○ Directory listing
Ahrefs’ Backlink Checker provides a starting point for examining links to a website or individual page. Look at referring websites, linked pages and available link information to understand how content is being discovered and referenced. The public checker offers a limited free view, while paid tools provide fuller reports, filters and historical analysis. Ahrefs Free also provides restricted access for websites you verify. Its Domain Rating is Ahrefs’ own comparative metric, rather than a score supplied by Google. Use findings to investigate relevant websites and content ideas, rather than pursue links solely for their score.
○ Directory listing
Linkody monitors backlinks so you can see when links to your website appear, disappear or change. Add your domain and review linking pages, link text and available metrics from a central dashboard. Competitor comparisons can help identify relevant websites you may want to research, while alerts reduce the need for repeated manual checks. A 30-day trial requires no credit card and ends automatically. Continued monitoring requires a paid plan, with allowances based on the websites and links tracked. It reports changes and opportunities; it does not arrange links or guarantee placement.
○ Directory listing
Moz Link Explorer researches the links pointing to a website or page. Examine referring domains, linking pages and the words used in links to understand your existing profile or investigate competing content. Its comparative metrics, including Domain Authority and Page Authority, help organise research but are Moz’s own measures rather than Google ranking scores. Limited access is available through a free Moz account; larger allowances and fuller reporting require a paid subscription. It can help you identify websites worth examining more closely, but a high score alone does not establish relevance or editorial quality.
○ Directory listing
Qwoted connects journalists and other media professionals with people who can contribute relevant expertise. Create a profile describing your experience, receive suitable requests and respond where you can offer useful commentary or examples. This provides a route to relationships and editorial coverage beyond your own website. Its ongoing free Basic plan includes two pitches per month, with a two-hour response delay. Paid plans increase access and allowances. Coverage, publication and backlinks are not guaranteed: editors decide what to use. It suits genuine subject expertise rather than sending generic promotional replies.
○ Directory listing
Semrush provides backlink research alongside tools for comparing websites and planning outreach. Examine referring domains, linking pages and changes over time, then compare your profile with competitors to investigate possible gaps. Its wider link-building tools help organise prospects and outreach, depending on your subscription. A free account offers restricted access, while fuller reports and larger allowances require a paid plan. The range can suit businesses with regular research needs, although occasional checks may not justify a subscription. Treat authority and link-risk scores as prompts for investigation, rather than automatic instructions.
○ Directory listing
