Start with Relevance
Ask whether the website and the specific page make sense for the audience you want to reach. A numerically strong domain can still be a poor placement when the topic, readership or editorial context is unrelated.
Use Metrics as Evidence, Not Answers
DR, DA and estimated organic traffic are useful screening signals, but they are third-party measurements. Review trends, topical footprint, recent content and the actual site before accepting or rejecting a prospect.
Inspect the Editorial Footprint
Read recent posts. Look for coherent categories, useful writing, sensible outbound links, identifiable editorial standards and content that appears created for readers rather than only for placement buyers.
Review the Exact Placement Terms
Confirm what content is required, who writes it, expected turnaround, link attributes, number of links, editing rights, permanence or replacement terms, and the final URL you will receive. Save those details with the campaign record.
Measure What Matters
Record the placement and monitor whether it remains live, but do not treat a single link as the sole cause of ranking movement. Referral traffic, brand exposure, relevant mentions and business outcomes provide additional context.
Step 1: Define the Purpose
Write down why the placement would be useful beyond simply obtaining a link. Identify the audience, destination page and topic that connects the two. This makes irrelevant prospects easier to reject.
Step 2: Build and Screen the Shortlist
Use marketplaces, search, competitor research or outreach to find candidates. Remove sites with weak topical fit, poor editorial quality, suspicious publishing patterns or no credible audience rationale.
Step 3: Review the Page-Level Opportunity
Think beyond the domain. Ask where the contribution will live, what it will discuss, how your site would be cited and whether the destination genuinely helps the reader.
Step 4: Confirm Commercial Terms
Document price, content responsibilities, link attributes, turnaround, edits, replacement conditions and any other terms that matter to the campaign.
Step 5: Audit the Live Placement
Check the finished URL, content, citation, destination and attributes. Record it in your campaign log and revisit important placements periodically.