Recently, while reviewing a publisher’s offer, we came across a familiar situation: the same website was available through another marketplace, but the price was different.
The obvious next step was to compare the numbers. Then the publisher clarified something that mattered more: the offers had different link conditions.
We were looking at the same domain, but we were not yet comparing the same product.
That distinction comes up repeatedly in publisher conversations. A website address is a useful starting point, but it does not tell you everything included in a guest post offer.
Start with what will actually be published
Before comparing prices, establish whether both offers cover the same type of placement.
A new guest post and a link inserted into an existing article are different services. One offer may include writing, while another expects a finished article. A publisher may also apply different prices to particular subjects.
Two prices become useful to compare only after those details are clear.
A lower price may suit your needs perfectly. It may also exclude something you assumed was included.
Compare link conditions separately
The label “guest post” does not fully describe the link you will receive.
Check the agreed link attribute, the number of links allowed, and whether the publisher accepts your destination page and proposed anchor text.
Also check whether the article will carry a sponsored label. A sponsored label and a link attribute describe different aspects of a placement, so ask about both.
Neither a higher price nor a familiar domain name answers these questions for you.
Find out who supplies the article
One offer may include an article written for the publication. Another may cover publication only.
If you already have suitable content, paying for additional writing may be unnecessary. If you need writing, a publication-only price does not represent the full cost of your campaign.
Ask what the writing service includes:
- Who prepares the brief?
- Can you review the article before publication?
- Are revisions included?
- Does the publisher need to approve the topic first?
On Posticy, publication and article-writing requirements should be clear before you commit. You can use content you have prepared, subject to the publisher’s acceptance, or arrange writing separately when needed.
Check topic restrictions and surcharges
A publisher’s standard price may not apply to every subject.
Some publications charge more for sensitive topics. Others exclude them entirely. Restrictions can also apply to the destination website, rather than only the article’s wording.
Share the actual topic and destination URL before treating a quoted price as final. This helps avoid a situation where the article is prepared but the publisher cannot accept the client’s website.
Compare the full offer
A simple comparison makes missing information easier to spot:
| What to compare | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Placement | New article or insertion into existing content |
| Content | Supplied by you or included in the offer |
| Links | Attributes, quantity, destinations and anchor conditions |
| Disclosure | Whether the article is labelled as sponsored |
| Topic | Acceptance rules and any surcharge |
| Timing | Expected publication time |
| Publication terms | Agreed duration and handling of later changes |
| Payment | Currency, invoicing and final payable amount |
A blank answer is a question to resolve before ordering.
Compare SEO metrics on the same basis
Price is only one part of publisher selection. Marketers also compare authority scores, estimated organic traffic, audience relevance and other signals.
Check which provider supplied each metric and when it was measured. Different tools can report different values for the same domain. An older spreadsheet and a current listing may also show different figures.
Look at the publication itself, too. Read recent articles, check its main topics and consider whether your contribution would make sense to its readers.
Metrics support that assessment. They do not guarantee rankings, referral traffic or sales.
Keep the agreed terms with the order
An external spreadsheet can help you discover publications. Before purchasing, make sure the selected website, current price and publishing conditions match the offer you intend to accept.
When using Posticy, review the Publisher’s approved listings and keep clarifications in the order conversation. Record any agreed exceptions there, rather than relying on a separate message that may be difficult to find later.
This is useful for both sides: the Marketer knows what was ordered, and the Publisher has a clear record of what must be delivered.
Include invoicing in your comparison
An attractive placement still needs a workable billing process.
Check that the seller can provide an invoice with the information your business requires. Review the amount, currency and billing details before payment, and ask for corrections if something is missing.
For independent Marketplace placements on Posticy, the placement fee is paid directly to the Publisher. Premium and Connects are separate platform charges.
Our guide to paying a Publisher for your order explains that workflow. If a document is incomplete, see how to request an invoice correction.
Choose the offer that fits your campaign
The lowest price can be the right choice when it covers what you need. A higher price can also make sense when it includes useful work or different publishing conditions.
The decision becomes easier once you can finish this sentence:
“For this price, we will receive this placement, with this content, these links and these publishing terms.”
If you cannot complete it yet, ask the missing questions before placing the order.
You can create a free Marketer account on Posticy to compare available listings, review their prices and SEO metrics, and discuss the details with Publishers.
