I've been trying to submit a site to several directories listed as free on this site, but when I get there there is usually an option like $39.95 vs. $79.95, and I have to choose one. Is the free thing usually hidden well, or does it just not exist? This is happening a lot on several sites. Is there something I'm not understanding about this process?
wow, what kind of directory would charge that much for listing, this is crazy. usualy they charge somewhere btwn $1-$3.
Well, most directories start out as free directories and then goes paid. Probably the directories on that list are now paid directories. If you're lookig for free directories, check out the Directories > Solicitations & Announcements forum
Here's an example: www.elib.org is described as "Basic submission is free with reciprocal link" on the site I linked above. When I get to the submission page, there are three options: Basic Submission € 9.00 Express Submission € 60.00 Sponsored Submission € 150.00 No free option or mention of it. Then at the end, there's an option for URL of backlink (optional). I typed in my links page and (after their misspelled notice "So dont't forget the last click! Thank you!" - there are a lot of misspellings and confusing directory trees on these sites) I click submit and am taken to a Paypal page. Of course I didn't pay, but I did add their link to my links page, so we'll see what happens. I may have just given them a free link, and by falling over themselves trying to extract money from me, they got none. I know people want money, but jeez. If it isn't free, how does it get listed somewhere as free?
Wow that was a confusing directory. um like qazu said go to the directory announcements forum and just go nuts there are lots of free directory's there many with good page rank and more importantly traffic.
It's not the only one like that. There are several, and more pop up daily. As more pop up, many die off through a lack of people paying $20++ a submission. I submitted my site to a hundred or so free directories and by the time I was done I had to pass over another full hundred for various reasons. There are like another hundred out there to look through, but as everyone and their brother owns one or fifty directories, I've decided that is not a link building strategy that I want. I can still remember when link farms were good, and now I'm seeing that Directories are little more then mass production food processing plants. *shrug* I'll still join a good niche directory though...on the rare chances I can find one.
So Qryztufre, you think most of the quickie directories offered on DP are more time than they're worth? I submitted to a few, but a lot of them seemed pretty dingy affairs. I struggle to see how they could help drive traffic or improve my PR, if that's even important anymore...
On more levels then one I think it is dependent upon the niche you are involved in. There are likely a few quality directories out there that people actually use, but overall, directory links for direct traffic are a thing of the past...and the quality of a directory link at the moment is up in the air until they can figure out just why so many directories are being dumped from Google. If you do submit, submit manually. Look around the directory in general, and your category specifically. If it looks spammy or low quality, just move on, especially if it's paid. Know what the default skins/themes are for the platform it's running on, and if the one you are at is using it, hit the back button. There are simply too many low quality/quick buck directories out there at the moment, and we need to start ignoring them or their breeding will continue. And it's not just the "little ones" that are bad, some of the big ones are just as junky (both paid and free). Just use your own judgment.
Check out my sig. All the directories in this list are free and pretty fast at reviewing submissions...
I found a nice big list of directories at submithelper.com, and then you have to click on their free directories list tab. There are 401 listed, you might find about half of those now turned into paid directories. I own a very very niche directory, lumberjakk.com, for lumber and wood companies. It is pretty cheap, and I also offer free submissions.
I don't know about your directory specifically, but that type of phrase seems to be the crux of my problem. That policy gets changed, or is buried, and the sites aren't good enough to warrant my poking around too much. I've never even heard of any of them; why would anyone use them? Doesn't everyone just use Google to find stuff? How would people know about these directories anyway??
And, generally, all the people who are listed are SOL, out their $20++. When the site stops making money and doesn't renew the hosting, your link goes bye bye. Directories aren't valuable links in general. They're very easy links to get, so they don't confer much weight.
No, well, maybe some of them Some honestly believe that they are offering something of value, and some that are honestly here for the longhaul (no pun intended) are likely going to give some value. On the other hand, some are not deluded at all, yet have no problems trying to delude you into thinking their links are gold. Not all directories are bad. Some in fact are OK and will be there for years to come. Others may be gone tomorrow... so when submitting to them just their worth based on your own feelings about the place. If you don't like the feel of it, just don't submit. *shrug* No one can really say one way or another if they are worth it, and even if they could, there is no telling what their worth will be tomorrow (the recent penalties against the directories themselves are pretty much proof of that). Did I cover all the bases and talk in circles while doing so? I recently replied to a thread on vbulletin-faq.com about directories...