Paid or Free directories?

i have manually submitted to dozens of directories (without reciprocal links). I wanted to know if anybody had a really good list of the top 10 PAID directories for shopping sites - when I say top ten, I mean the ones that ARE actually worth paying for?

So far =
yahoo
botw.org

i still go for Free directories. who wants to pay? when you can get if for free?

but i guess, if you really want to be on the top list of a good directory site and you know it will be worth it, why not give it a shot

While general PPI directories are easy to find e.g. strongestlinks.com you are far better off spending the time doing custom searches on your keyphrases + subit url, submit website, add url, add website, etc... add sponsor to the query makes in easier to recover PPI only directories.

It should be noted that while a website with a page on your topic is OK {e.g. category page} a complete website on your topic is alot better and the best your money can purchase...

Spending marketing dollars when you got it is GREAT but Spending marketing dollars wisely is so much better and the return greater.

It's worth noting that this thought process works both ways... e.g. why would any pay for your stuff if they can get it for free elsewhere...

"If you're a cheap-skate you likely attract this market in greater volume than the lucrative purchasers!" [food for thought]

- here are some paid list where you can add your web site:
SEO TOOLS
before you start submitting to paid directory try to determine your budget.

One of the worries i had ever since and still have regarding paid directory submissions is that whether those directories will give you a clean html link from a clean html page. But unfortunately most of these directories offer links via dynamic link scripts or pages which is a total waste of time and money for the paid dir submitters. But there could be directories who offer clean html links from clean html pages for the money you spend on them

Both help, high quality paid directory will have a positive impact on your SERP, so if you have the budget .. go ahead and do it

I haven't ever paid for a directory listing except Yahoo and that wasn't worth the money.
I wouldn't suggest paying for most of the directories out there. There are a few good quality ones that keep things clean and strict. But overall I find it much more valuable to pay for a link on a related high quality site over a directory.
Submit to all the free ones you can find(if you got the time) and spend your money on quality links on related sites.

Directories are argued both for and against as far as aiding in PR, SERPs, and traffic. I just have a few questions... use some logic and answer them from Google's perspective and the average searchers needs... then you decide upon directories... free, paid or otherwise:

1. How good is a directory link that anybody and/or everybody can get just by requesting it or by paying to be included?

2. Think about the last time you used the Yahoo directory to find something. That answered, how much traffic do you think you will get from a paid directory or any free directories?

I have answered the above for myself and have acted accordingly. I still apply to free directories though. Why? Because all backlinks are good.

2. Think about the last time you used the Yahoo directory to find something. That answered, how much traffic do you think will you get from a paid directory or any free directories?


Noted: however it may increase your SERP ranking too and this eventually will increase traffic!

A SIDE POINT: A link is a link and with Google's link obsession a link is everything... there is absolutely no doubt that links aid to better rankings & help you eventually get out of sandbox... and that is more tangible than registering for 10 years.

With "PAID" listings e.g. "A LINK IN EACH" - you go from nowhere to #1 in weeks (no months or weeks).

If you have the cash $5K should be for directories... 50% to generic ones like Yahoo, BOTW, etc. and 50% niche within your own indsutry only (or good banner advertisements that use static links).

An old cliche adopted by you that you like and I don't...

"Every little bit helps!"

Actually "alot" of traffic comes out of Yahoo directories but the problem is found in logistics... very little "commercial traffic" comes from Yahoo... if you list and are found in Business & Economy section - you are located on page 39 (no one goes 39 pages deep to find you)...

The object then is to find ways of getting listed "elsewhere in the directory" e.g. based on topcial information outside of Business & Economy section... or getting people unique people to click on your listing to allow your domain to move up to page #1.

Sounds like a lot of effort for a very dubious reward PLUS the inclusion fee. No thanks!