Directory Owners thoughts on iWebtools 4x price increase?

I just received an email from iWebtool about their increased prices for Sponsored Text Links.
previous $5/month links are now $20-30/month
previous $10/month links are now $30-40/month

* They are increasing the amount of webtools from 35 to 59
* They are decreasing the number of sponsored links per tool from 20 to only 12
* They say "We have received a few complaints regarding the higher price change. We would like to say the prices have not rised for iWEBTOOL to earn higher revenue. Previously we had 20 advertisement links displayed, now we have halved this amount and have doubled the prices. This makes the outcome merely the same amount as previously."
I have to disagree with the previous quote because:
35 tools x 20 links x $10= $7000/month
59 tools x 12 links x $20= $14160/month

I have to admit, a PR4/5/6 was an incredible deal for $5-10 dollars per month and by no means am I complaining...I just want your thoughts about this. I have seen many DP member directories advertising on iWebtool. Will you still advertise with the increased prices?

Is the traffic/PR boost/backlink that strong from their sponsored Tool text links?

I have not decided if I can afford $40 per month at that site. $480 dollars over one year maybe peanuts for some people, but for that you could list in at least 9 of the best DP member directories for one year...which is probably what I will do.

Just to repeat myself. I am not complaining about iWebtool. I think it is a great website. I just would like to know other directory owners thoughts? Is the price worth it?

Edit: All current sponsored text links subscriptions will be Canceled.

 

Also...Those who already have a Sponsored Text Link will be able to keep it...at the new price.

Just in case you want to contact them about your link, It took 2 months for me to get an email response from iWebtool about updating my link...and that is the response I got.

Oh well, more power to em.

 

Every link charge is only not on the basis of PR, sometimes traffic is considered too and the no.of outbound links.

I basically have got nothing to say about them. I guess its their wish

 

Well said.

 

If you currently have a Sponsored Text Link at iWebtool and you would like to keep it, but you have not received the "Pre Booking Email."

PM me and I will give you the URL. - tell me what tool you sponsor so I can verify.

This is so your link subscription will not be cancelled without your knowledge. Otherwise someone else can take your link spot when the new prices are available to the public.

 

perhaps existing sponsors can share the effectiveness of the ads and whether they think its worthwhile

 

Its not a good idea to count somebody else's money (even though we always do it). If IwebTool increased their prices, so be it. I think it will separate those who are serious about their advertising campaign and those who are trying to make ends meet.

 

Thanks for the input.

Just because someone (like me) is trying to make ends meet, it does not mean that I am not serious about my advertising campaign.

Although, Budget (money) is not a measure of Seriousness/Desire/Passion, etc.

 

if you think the price not worth it, don't advertise there. Its up to site owner to set the price and we the customer choose what are the best and affordable for us. Complaining about the price won't make them reduce it.

 

You obviously did not read my post...I have been advertising with them...I am not complaining.
Read Posts Before Replying to them.

 

I read your post and you asking for directory owner thoughts, so I gave my thought. If you said you are not complaining, what is the purpose of this thread?

 

Obviously not, if you have to ask the purpose of the thread. I have asked a number of questions, including:
Is the traffic/PR boost/backlink that strong from their sponsored Tool text links?

I advertise at iwebtool, but the price increase has made me reevaluate where to spend money. I was wanting to know some thoughts from some of the DP veterans who also advertise there...that's all...plain and simple.

 

I used to advertise there and they did send me good traffic depends on which tool you advertise. So I think its worth the money. And lots of people waiting to grab the spot once you canceled your advertising there

 

Yeah, I noticed Romow is popping up all over the site. I will definitely take what you said into account. I haven't cancelled yet, so I get first dibs on many links, but they are going fast.

thanks

 

I found Link Price Calculator best of all.

Here are some factors for one of my checked websites:

Total Links Found: 207 (real = 124)
Internal Links: 183 (real = 121)
External Links: 24 (real = 3)

Google PageRank: 4/10 (real = 5/10)
Yahoo! Backlinks: 9,365 [view] (real = 156,319 [view])

WHAT A PRECISION !

 

I got the emails from them this morning and cancelled all 7 links I had up with them. IMO it is not worth the price increase (especially if you look into the history of how they handle their directory).

The PR is not that high and reducing the out bound links at this late stage before a PR update will not give them much retention, especially as the out bounds will reduce over time. The new tools will not get any PR for atleast another 3 months.

As for the traffic, there is nothing special coming through them. I have been advertising Directory Share on three tools since February and in that time they have sent me a total of 519 unique visitors at a cost of $90 which works out at $0.17 per visitor. For the same period at the new rates it would cost me $360 which works out at $0.69 per visitor.

I can get better value elsewhere. Again, just my own experience.

 

I have a sponsor link at article section and got email too, but can't see this kind of links at pre-book page. I sent them an email, actually don't get response. I would cancel subscription if they increase price for this too.

 

Its still worth the money for such a high traffic site.

 

I did have few links with them but one day PayPal (not me) cancelled 6 subsriptions. I was shocked and so mad
Some subscriptions were really worth of money I paid and I lost it with no chance for return.
It was all because subscriptions were paid with credit card.
And when credit card expired I changed it to new (old but new number and date expiry).
But PayPal treated subscriptions as payed with old expired card - so cancelled subscribtions didin't even ask me.

So beware when you subscribe.
Be sure you pay from PayPal funds - not with credit card.