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Should You Pay for a Directory?

by Ohioquotes
12 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hi. I have been thinking about this for a while so I thought I would ask the experts on the Forum.

My two main sites rank well and traffic is fine. But of course, competition increases and you have to stay proactive. I regularly add and revise content, write articles and social bookmark. I also add the sites to a few free directories every week.

But I have NEVER added them to a paid directory. You know...the ones that sometimes charge you $19, $39, $59...sometimes $10 etc...

Are they worth it? And if so, can someone recommend a nice big reputable list of paid directories that would be worth paying for. If they are a waste of money, I would like to know.

Thanks....from blistering hot Ohio, where I just saw two trees fighting over a dog.
#directory #pay
  • Profile picture of the author JamesGw
    Directories are very 2002. I mean, they still provide some benefit, but it's not nearly enough to be worth some of the extortionate prices they charge, at least not until you've built a profitable business that has plateaued and every little boost is worth it.

    $10-20 isn't bad for a directory listing, but most of those directories suck.
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    • Profile picture of the author RevSEO
      If your budget allows, sure.

      Although I wouldn't pay more than $15 for a directory as you can get even better links for a fraction of the cost. Keep in mind that while you may get a link from a PR6 directory, your actual page PageRank where your link is located could only be a 1 or 2.
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    • Profile picture of the author SimpleSEOTips
      Originally Posted by JamesGw View Post

      Directories are very 2002. I mean, they still provide some benefit, but it's not nearly enough to be worth some of the extortionate prices they charge, at least not until you've built a profitable business that has plateaued and every little boost is worth it.
      I agree with JamesGw when he highlights the benefit after you have built up the profitable business and then paying for directory listings make more sense.

      However, with a bit of creative thinking and the money you would pay for the directories you could benefit a lot more from the links you recieve from clever link baiting campaigns.
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  • Profile picture of the author simonbuzz
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    Don't waste even 1$ for directory listings...because it's not worth it...Google's new also doesn't give much value to directory links...hope that helps
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Potts
    The only reason to be added to a directory is for the possible traffic/business it will provide. There probably is still some SEO benefit but probably not worth the amount you must pay to be added. I believe Yahoo's directory is still decent for some industries but it is $200 a year I think.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ohioquotes
      OK. I was curious because I noticed a website that was ranked just ahead of me in MANY key phrases had less content than I, less links, was bout the same age and wasn't updated very often.

      BUT...when I looked at his backlinks...he had about 15-25 paid directory links (all costing about $20-$60) and I had none. It makes you wonder. And this was after the Panda update. A year ago, I was ahead of him.
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  • Profile picture of the author Justinpage
    I am not impressed with paid directories. I would recommend to use only free directories for I think it has the same value.
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  • Profile picture of the author Odhinn
    I use directories all the time, and I think they're a really undervalued way to get links. That said, I would NEVER pay to be listed in any directory.
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  • Profile picture of the author Blossom Fluck
    I think the value of a paid directory link and a free directory link to the search engine is the same. So why wasting money by paying them? It is good to get free listing in the directories.
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  • Profile picture of the author bloggingdojo
    You're much better spending that $10 on submitting to 100 free directories, than just one.
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  • Profile picture of the author jpizzle
    Directories don't have as much link juice for SEO as they used to. I wouldn't spend money on them.
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  • Profile picture of the author COBSolutions
    If the directory is well indexed, then it is worth paying some amount to get backlinks, but directories nowadays find it difficult to remain indexed, so need to do a thorough review of the directory before you click the pay button.
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