50 website for free Startup guest post

Finding quality guest posting opportunities can make or break your startup's content marketing strategy. While many publications charge hefty fees for contributed content, numerous high-authority websites still accept free guest posts from startups willing to provide genuine value to their audiences.

This comprehensive list features 50 websites that welcome free guest contributions from startups across various industries. These platforms offer excellent opportunities to build backlinks, establish thought leadership, and reach new audiences without straining your marketing budget.

Why Guest Posting Matters for Startups

Guest posting delivers multiple benefits that are particularly valuable for resource-conscious startups. You gain access to established audiences, earn high-quality backlinks that improve your search rankings, and build credibility through association with respected publications.

According to Demand Metric research, content marketing costs 62% less than traditional marketing while generating three times more leads. Guest posting amplifies these benefits by leveraging other publications' audiences and authority.

How to Use This List Effectively

Each website listed includes key information about their focus area, audience, and submission requirements. Before pitching any publication, thoroughly research their recent content, editorial guidelines, and audience preferences. Quality always trumps quantity in guest posting success.

Focus on sites that align closely with your startup's industry and target audience. A well-placed guest post on a relevant, engaged audience often delivers better results than multiple posts on high-traffic but irrelevant sites.

Technology and SaaS Websites

1. Product Hunt Blog

Focus: Product launches, startup stories, entrepreneurship
Why It's Great: Massive audience of entrepreneurs, investors, and early adopters
Submission: Email pitch to their editorial team with unique startup insights

2. Hacker Noon

Focus: Technology, programming, startups, blockchain
Why It's Great: Over 7 million monthly readers interested in tech innovation
Submission: Submit through their contributor portal with technical expertise

3. Dev.to

Focus: Software development, programming, tech careers
Why It's Great: Engaged community of developers and technical professionals
Submission: Create account and publish directly with proper tags

4. DZone

Focus: Software development, DevOps, AI, cloud computing
Why It's Great: Trusted resource for enterprise developers and architects
Submission: Apply for their Most Valuable Blogger program

5. TechCrunch (Expert Contributors)

Focus: Startup news, venture capital, technology trends
Why It's Great: Premium tech publication with global reach
Submission: Pitch unique industry insights to their editorial team

6. VentureBeat

Focus: Technology news, AI, gaming, enterprise software
Why It's Great: Influential tech publication read by decision-makers
Submission: Contact editors with newsworthy startup stories

7. ReadWrite

Focus: Technology trends, startups, digital transformation
Why It's Great: Established tech publication with engaged B2B audience
Submission: Email pitches with actionable technology insights

8. The Next Web

Focus: Technology, startups, digital culture
Why It's Great: Global tech publication with diverse audience
Submission: Submit story ideas through their contact form

9. Towards Data Science

Focus: Data science, machine learning, AI
Why It's Great: Leading publication for data professionals on Medium
Submission: Apply for publication through Medium's system

10. Analytics Vidhya

Focus: Data science, analytics, machine learning
Why It's Great: Large community of data professionals and students
Submission: Submit articles through their contributor portal

Business and Entrepreneurship

11. Entrepreneur.com

Focus: Entrepreneurship, business strategy, leadership
Why It's Great: Massive audience of business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs
Submission: Pitch through their contributor application process

12. Inc.com

Focus: Small business, startups, leadership, growth strategies
Why It's Great: Respected business publication with engaged entrepreneur audience
Submission: Apply for their contributor network

13. Fast Company

Focus: Innovation, business strategy, workplace culture
Why It's Great: Influential business publication focusing on innovation
Submission: Pitch unique business insights to their editorial team

14. Forbes (Contributor Platform)

Focus: Business, entrepreneurship, industry expertise
Why It's Great: Premium business publication with global authority
Submission: Apply for their contributor program with proven expertise

15. Medium Publications

Focus: Various business and startup topics
Why It's Great: Multiple high-traffic publications accepting submissions
Submission: Apply to relevant publications through Medium's system

16. StartupNation

Focus: Small business, entrepreneurship, startup advice
Why It's Great: Dedicated community of startup founders and small business owners
Submission: Submit articles through their contribution guidelines

17. Young Entrepreneur

Focus: Millennial entrepreneurship, startup culture, business tips
Why It's Great: Engaged audience of young business professionals
Submission: Email editorial team with unique entrepreneurship insights

18. Business.com

Focus: Small business advice, marketing, operations
Why It's Great: Comprehensive business resource with diverse audience
Submission: Contact editors with practical business advice

19. AllBusiness

Focus: Small business resources, entrepreneurship, business growth
Why It's Great: Established platform for business advice and insights
Submission: Submit content through their editorial guidelines

20. Business Insider (Contributors)

Focus: Business news, analysis, industry insights
Why It's Great: Major business publication with global reach
Submission: Apply for contributor opportunities with proven expertise

Marketing and Growth

21. HubSpot Blog

Focus: Inbound marketing, sales, customer service
Why It's Great: Leading marketing resource with massive audience
Submission: Pitch through their guest blogging program

22. Content Marketing Institute

Focus: Content strategy, digital marketing, brand storytelling
Why It's Great: Premier resource for content marketing professionals
Submission: Submit pitches through their editorial calendar

23. MarketingProfs

Focus: Marketing strategy, digital marketing, B2B marketing
Why It's Great: Trusted marketing education platform
Submission: Contact their editorial team with marketing insights

24. Search Engine Journal

Focus: SEO, PPC, digital marketing, search marketing
Why It's Great: Leading resource for search marketing professionals
Submission: Pitch unique SEO and marketing insights

25. Moz Blog

Focus: SEO, inbound marketing, digital marketing
Why It's Great: Authoritative SEO resource with engaged community
Submission: Submit through their guest posting guidelines

26. Neil Patel's Blog

Focus: Digital marketing, SEO, conversion optimization
Why It's Great: High-traffic marketing blog with engaged audience
Submission: Contact through their content submission process

27. Marketing Land

Focus: Search marketing, social media, marketing technology
Why It's Great: Leading marketing news and analysis publication
Submission: Pitch timely marketing insights and analysis

28. Social Media Examiner

Focus: Social media marketing, social media strategy
Why It's Great: Premier social media marketing resource
Submission: Submit content through their contributor guidelines

29. Buffer Blog

Focus: Social media marketing, content marketing, productivity
Why It's Great: Popular marketing blog with practical insights
Submission: Pitch actionable marketing advice and strategies

30. Kissmetrics Blog

Focus: Analytics, conversion optimization, growth hacking
Why It's Great: Focused on data-driven marketing strategies
Submission: Submit analytical marketing content and case studies

Finance and Fintech

31. Finextra

Focus: Financial technology, banking, payments
Why It's Great: Leading fintech industry publication
Submission: Submit fintech insights and industry analysis

32. American Banker

Focus: Banking industry, financial services, fintech
Why It's Great: Respected financial services publication
Submission: Pitch banking and fintech expertise

33. The Financial Brand

Focus: Banking marketing, digital banking, customer experience
Why It's Great: Specialized audience of banking professionals
Submission: Submit banking and marketing insights

34. PaymentsSource

Focus: Payments industry, financial technology, digital payments
Why It's Great: Focused audience of payments professionals
Submission: Contribute payments industry analysis and trends

35. CreditDonkey

Focus: Personal finance, credit, financial advice
Why It's Great: Consumer-focused financial publication
Submission: Submit personal finance and startup financial advice

Healthcare and Biotech

36. MedCity News

Focus: Healthcare technology, digital health, biotech
Why It's Great: Leading healthcare technology publication
Submission: Pitch healthcare innovation stories and insights

37. Healthcare IT News

Focus: Healthcare technology, electronic health records, telemedicine
Why It's Great: Specialized audience of healthcare IT professionals
Submission: Submit healthcare technology expertise

38. STAT News

Focus: Biotech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare policy
Why It's Great: Influential healthcare journalism publication
Submission: Pitch unique healthcare industry insights

39. Modern Healthcare

Focus: Healthcare business, hospital administration, healthcare policy
Why It's Great: Respected healthcare business publication
Submission: Submit healthcare business and policy analysis

40. Health Tech Magazine

Focus: Healthcare technology, digital health solutions
Why It's Great: Focused on healthcare technology innovation
Submission: Contribute healthcare technology insights and trends

E-commerce and Retail

41. Practical Ecommerce

Focus: E-commerce strategy, online retail, digital commerce
Why It's Great: Specialized audience of e-commerce professionals
Submission: Submit e-commerce insights and best practices

42. Internet Retailer

Focus: E-commerce news, online retail trends, digital commerce
Why It's Great: Leading e-commerce industry publication
Submission: Pitch e-commerce industry analysis and strategies

43. Retail Dive

Focus: Retail industry news, e-commerce, retail technology
Why It's Great: Comprehensive retail industry coverage
Submission: Submit retail industry insights and trends

44. Digital Commerce 360

Focus: E-commerce, online retail, digital marketing
Why It's Great: Focused on e-commerce professionals and decision-makers
Submission: Contribute e-commerce strategies and case studies

45. A2X Blog

Focus: Amazon selling, e-commerce accounting, online retail
Why It's Great: Specialized audience of Amazon sellers and e-commerce entrepreneurs
Submission: Submit e-commerce and Amazon selling expertise

General Business and Industry

46. SmallBizTrends

Focus: Small business, entrepreneurship, business technology
Why It's Great: Engaged small business owner audience
Submission: Submit small business advice and startup insights

47. Bizjournals

Focus: Local business news, industry analysis, entrepreneurship
Why It's Great: Network of local business publications
Submission: Contact local editors with regional business insights

48. Industry Week

Focus: Manufacturing, industrial technology, supply chain
Why It's Great: Specialized audience of manufacturing professionals
Submission: Submit manufacturing and industrial insights

49. HR Technologist

Focus: HR technology, workforce management, employee engagement
Why It's Great: Focused on HR technology and innovation
Submission: Contribute HR technology insights and trends

50. Customer Think

Focus: Customer experience, marketing, business strategy
Why It's Great: Engaged audience of customer experience professionals
Submission: Submit customer experience insights and case studies

Tips for Successful Guest Post Pitches

Research Before You Pitch

Thoroughly research each publication before submitting. Read their recent articles, understand their audience, and familiarize yourself with their content style. This research shows professionalism and increases your acceptance chances significantly.

Lead with Value

Your pitch should focus on how your content benefits their readers, not what you'll gain from the placement. Editors care about serving their audience above all else, so lead with reader value in every communication.

Follow Guidelines Exactly

Every publication has specific submission requirements. Follow their guidelines precisely, including formatting, word count, and submission process. Ignoring guidelines signals unprofessionalism and guarantees rejection.

Provide Unique Insights

Generic advice gets rejected immediately. Share unique perspectives, proprietary data, or fresh takes on industry topics that haven't been covered extensively. Uniqueness is your competitive advantage in guest posting.

Build Relationships, Not Transactions

Approach guest posting as relationship building rather than one-off transactions. Engage with publications on social media, share their content, and nurture ongoing relationships with editors who accept your work.

Measuring Your Guest Posting Success

Track key metrics to optimize your guest posting strategy over time. Monitor referral traffic from guest posts, backlink quality and quantity, brand mention increases, and lead generation attributed to guest post exposure.

Use Google Analytics UTM parameters to track traffic from specific guest posts, and monitor your brand's search volume to see if guest posting increases brand awareness and search interest.

Getting Started with Your Guest Posting Campaign

Begin by selecting 5-10 websites from this list that closely match your startup's industry and target audience. Research their recent content thoroughly and identify content gaps where your expertise could provide value.

Create a content calendar that aligns guest posting with your broader marketing goals and business milestones. Quality guest posts take time to research, write, and promote, so plan accordingly for sustainable long-term success.

Remember that guest posting success builds over time through consistent quality contributions and relationship development. Start with realistic expectations and focus on providing genuine value to each publication's audience.

This curated list of 50 free guest posting opportunities provides a solid foundation for building your startup's content marketing and link building strategy. Focus on quality over quantity, and approach each opportunity with professionalism and genuine value to maximize your success in earned media placements.