If you run a service-based startup digital marketing, app development, branding, consulting you should be on Clutch.co. Not for show, but because it drives real traffic, builds trust, and gives you a do-follow backlink from a DR 90 site that actually moves the SEO needle. Your Clutch profile isn’t just a listing it’s a high-intent lead magnet that ranks, converts, and adds credibility.
Clutch stands out because it doesn’t just let anyone in. You’ll need to verify your business with a work email and real company info, which filters out the noise. That’s why buyers trust what they see. And when 1.5 million people are searching Clutch each month looking for exactly what you offer, a well-built profile here isn’t just smart it’s non-negotiable. Let’s walk through how to claim your spot and make it count.
Why Clutch.co Actually Matters
Clutch is the go-to site for B2B buyers looking to employ someone. Consider CMOs(Chief Marketing officers) searching for agencies, CTOs (Chief Technology officer) looking for engineers, and founders seeking expansion support. If your organization solves any of these issues, your presence here has an impact.
The site receives around 1.5 million views each month (source: SimilarWeb), with the majority coming from the United States, India, and Western Europe. And it’s not just casual browsing; these are folks who want to spend money.
- Domain Rating: 90 (Ahrefs)
- Link Type: Do-follow from your public company profile
- Niche: B2B services: agencies, dev shops, consulting, SaaS support
- Audience: Buyers with budgets
- Bonus: High intent = potential leads, not just link juice
How to get Your Free Backlinks from Clutch.co
Just follow these simple steps and get your work done within minutes
Step 1: Go to Clutch.co and Hit Join
Clutch doesn’t hide the process. It’s right up top.
Go to Clutch.co and hit the Join button in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Choose to Get Listed
Clutch will ask how you want to use the platform. Choose the second option “Get listed on Clutch”.
Step 3: Sign up with Your Work Email
Now create your account. You can use Google, LinkedIn, or just sign up with your work email. Use a domain email, not a Gmail; it helps with approval later.
Step 4: Pick Your Goal
Clutch wants to understand your objective. Pick the one that fits best for most startups.
Step 5: Add Company Information
Now we get into the details. Fill out:
- Company name
- Website
- Phone
- Tagline
- Description
- Founding year
- Number of employees
Pro Tip: Don’t write lazy one-liners here. Take the time to write a clear, specific description. This helps with both approval and your Clutch SEO.
Step 6: Set Your Rates and Minimum Project Size
This step tells Clutch what types of clients you’re looking for. If you’re early-stage or lean, don’t be afraid to keep your minimum small, you can update it later.
Step 7: Add Your Location
Clutch will ask for your business location. This isn’t just for display it’s part of their verification process. The Clutch team uses this information to confirm you’re a legitimate company, not a ghost profile.
Step 8: Add Service lines
This part determines which categories your listing appears in. Add your services (digital marketing, app dev, consulting, etc.) and assign percentages based on how much your business focuses on each one.
From here, you’ll submit your profile for review. Clutch usually takes 3–5 business days to approve.
Once you’re live, congratulations you’ve just earned a do-follow backlink from a DR 90 site and created a public profile that real clients can find.
Pro Tip: The Link’s Just the Start: What Really Moves the Needle Are Reviews
Getting listed gets you in the door. Reviews get you noticed. Clutch prioritizes profiles with real, verified client reviews. You can invite clients directly or let Clutch handle it with their phone interview service. Yes, they’ll call your client, collect feedback, and publish it for you.
Even just 2-3 solid reviews can push your profile to the top of your category. That means more visibility on Clutch, better rankings on Google, and actual inbound leads not just a backlink sitting there gathering dust. Prioritize this early. It pays off.
This article is part of our series, “Get High-Quality Backlinks for Free,” where we explore platforms like Clutch.co that help startups build strong backlink profiles
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Want More Free, High-Quality Backlinks?
This Clutch guide is just one playbook. Here are a few more worth your time:
- Get a backlink from Bit.ly (DA 95)
- Get listed on StartupBlink and earn a DA 70 backlink
- Add your SaaS to WHMCS (DA 92)
Each one is free. Each one works. And none of them require you to beg for guest posts.
