I just read a nice thread on paid directories but what good free ones are out there (besides you know who)
Well, DMOZ. Heh. Seriously, there's little incentive to make a directory that's free strong. You need to invest a good amount of time and/or money into a directory to make it strong. A lot of people start out directories as free with an intention to take them paid later on once the database is built up. That may be your best way to get a free listing in a directory that evenutally becomes strong. Just check the solicitations and announcements sub-forum.
The big problem with this strategy is when they change to paid they have a full directory and the new paying sites will go to 2º page or even worse 10º page.
We have a free and payed directory that we keep low key because it is so busy without any marketing, you are welcome to take a look http://www.searchingdeep.com We might start changing to payed only soon (Did not forget you dont mean to bother u but i was wondering if you had a look at the forum chemisry site. will look soon)
THere is one strongestlinks.com. It lists several paid as well as free directories. They also tell us whether the directory passes PR. Hope this helps.
Actually if it's a phpLD directory, all they need to do is come see me, and I can MOD it to show paid submissions first like I did with my Directory . Just take a look at the regular links And I am not just talking paid by which they come in. I am talking payed depending on the type of submission as well. Whereas a regular paid comes before a regular w/recip paid listing. featured regular regular w/recip all links, all sorted in that order. oh, and I also have something up my sleeve for featured listings. bwahahaha
http://www.seomoz.org/tools/page-strength.php?url=www.irkawebdirectory.com got 3.5/10 which is a cool score for a free directory: http://www.irkawebdirectory.com, you'll be reviewed in a month though or send me a pm.
You're missing something here ! Ask ! people pay for featured links to get to the top of page 1. I've actually made more money from my free directories because I sell more featured links. But, I just don't have the time to keep all my directories free.
It's true, but offering free and paid positions put's the choice on the person submitting the link. I've always offered higher paid positions and it works out well for all. Most of the free submissions I receive simply don't care what position they are in as long as they are listed. Those that pay a small fee for better position care more. I just prefer to give over the choice.
I have a few listed here, http://www.searchfeature.com/dir/directories/Free_No_Recip_No_nofollow/ will add some of the ones you guys share.
I managed to get my Ask Directory listed at Joeant but I am not very happy I am listed in a page that is not even cached on google
That page keeps going in and out of Google. It's not easy getting a categories called Directories recognized.
Not sure what you really mean by Strong? Is that PR? I have directories in my signature that are free and few have 1000+ links. Next update may get us a better PR. Thanks
I believe I can say our 2Space Network Directory is on its way to become a good one. At this moment we have PR5 and an Alexa PR of +/- 50.000. Google knows about 10.400 pages of our directory. All submissions are absolutely free and will stay that way. Our system will review new submissions within one hour but when you register as a '2Space Passport'-member (free) you will be able to use our tool 'Fast Site Submit'. This gives you the opportunity to add your site within one minute.