The SubmitSaaS Domain Rating (DR) Calculator is a practical SEO tool designed to help SaaS founders and startup builders estimate how their website authority can grow through directory submissions. Instead of guessing how backlinks might impact performance, this tool provides a clear, data-driven projection of how a site’s Domain Rating could increase based on selected directories and link types.
At its core, the DR Calculator is built around one of the most important metrics in SEO: Domain Rating (DR). This metric, developed by Ahrefs, measures the strength of a website’s backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. A higher DR generally indicates a stronger, more authoritative website with better potential to rank in search engine results. The calculator helps users understand how submitting their SaaS or startup to directories can influence that score over time.
The tool works by allowing users to input their current DR and then select from a large database of over 700 directories. Each directory comes with its own Domain Rating and link type, such as DoFollow or NoFollow. As users make selections, the calculator dynamically updates and shows an estimated DR increase in real time. This interactive approach makes it easy to visualize how different strategies—like prioritizing high-DR directories—can significantly impact growth.
One of the most valuable aspects of the SubmitSaaS DR Calculator is its focus on link quality rather than just quantity. It highlights the importance of DoFollow backlinks, which pass link equity and directly contribute to DR growth. At the same time, it acknowledges the role of NoFollow links in building a natural backlink profile and driving referral traffic. By showing both types in the selection summary, the tool encourages a balanced and realistic SEO strategy.
The calculator also reflects how Domain Rating actually behaves in practice. Since DR follows a logarithmic scale, early growth is much easier than later stages. For example, moving from DR 0 to DR 10 requires far fewer backlinks than going from DR 50 to DR 60. The tool incorporates this behavior into its estimates, helping users set realistic expectations depending on their starting point. This is especially useful for new startups, which can often see rapid improvements from directory submissions.
Another key insight the tool provides is the importance of referring domains. Each directory submission adds a new referring domain, and increasing the number of unique domains is one of the strongest signals for improving DR. The calculator demonstrates how submitting to 60, 100, or even 140+ directories can lead to meaningful increases in authority, especially when those directories have high DR themselves.
Beyond estimation, the SubmitSaaS DR Calculator serves as an educational resource. It explains how backlinks work, what factors influence DR growth, and how to maximize results. Users learn why high-authority directories matter more, why consistency is key, and why a mix of link types creates a healthier backlink profile. This makes the tool valuable not just for planning, but also for understanding SEO fundamentals.
Ultimately, the SubmitSaaS Domain Rating Calculator is more than just a projection tool—it’s a strategic guide for building online visibility. By turning complex SEO concepts into a simple, interactive experience, it helps founders make smarter decisions about where to invest their efforts. Whether someone is launching a new SaaS or trying to grow an existing one, the calculator provides clarity on how directory submissions can translate into stronger authority, better rankings, and increased organic traffic.
