Pr is essential only when you are selling link. But I think that pr has a slight effect on serps. Atleast with my sites.
"Possible to get PR5...... ...if you only use free methods and do not buy paid links?" Answer : YES Note : Buying and selling links is not liked by Google.com search engine. Regards, ASHISH T.
Buying links can be a disaster. I learned the had way. It's very tough to get Google to trust your site again. You should look for quality links and Pay for Yahoo or Business.com directory listings. Also you should do a few press release. High quality sites will link to you. Good Luck
It's probably possible. But you would need a boatload of free directory links to get to PR5, since most free directories do not pass much, if any, PR effect from their sub-category pages.
Its possible BUT no one can specify the time, work required to get it. Again, focus on rankings if you are not into link selling biz and hopefully, PR will also come
You have 2 options in order to get PR5: 1. Get a backlink of PR7 site at least 6 months. This is paid link. You will be charged at least $200 monthly. 2. Generate at least 10,000 backlinks by using article submission and directory submission for FREE.