Can directories make much money?

I see alot of people on here with directories and I understand they must take a fair bit of time once they get bigger (having to accept/deny entries on a near daily basis). It figures that people wouldn't do this for nothing. So, can directories make enough revenue to make it worth your while? I presume most of the revenue comes from paid listings as apposed to ad clicking (thats based purely on the presumption that 80% of your visitors will be webmasters wanting to submit their links so they know exactly what they are looking for).

 

So, generally directories are made for reasons other than money making, or by people who think they can make money? I know that doesn't account for them all, but thats what I gathered from your post

 

We run 2 directories, a free/paid, and a paid only.

The free/paid directory takes a lot of time in editing as it receives very heavy traffic and lot of multiple submittals from sites entering the same URL time after time ........... this means the approval process takes up a lot of time

The paid only directory is a lot easier to maintain, as a paid site attracts in most instances a single submittal URL

 

Running a directory is like any other business venture. You need to put time and money into it and don't expect to make money quickly. The biggest problem with most directories is that it is very easy to get traffic and submissions when you offer free links but once you go paid it takes work to stand-out from the rest. My guess is that 60-70% of the "new" directories will go out of business within 12 months.

 

Is directory creation profitable, let’s do the math?

 

It really depends on your page rank and price. So if your good with seo and know a lot of webmasters you should do alright.

 

All i see is that with a directory, you've to be very very patient to make money with it.
I know why webmasters throw away their directories just 2 months after they launched it, there is many reasons to loose motivations when you run a directory:

- All the spam you receive each day.
- All the categories you've to create, all the links submissions you've to modify because the submitters doesn't read your guideline.
- You've to keep up the updates, upgrades of the directory script you use.
- And lots of more like that...

 

To frankly tell you, it depends of the category and design. It's best to be very original in design.

 

i would say..... dont expect too much from a directory.
unless your directory have PR7.

 

It seems the paid-only directory model is less time consuming and more rewarding. What is the reason you still continue with the free directory ??

 

I will only answer the initial queston.

Yes.

 

My directory needs attention

 

I think the directories can make money, If their PR OK, maybe PR7 as ImTeaz say.

 

well if directories get the exposure they need then you can make a hack of money that you cant even expect. Just an example think of the Yahoo Directory.

 

I think that everything can make money, it is the matter of marketing and exposure...

p.l.u.r.

 

Even a zoo with no animals?

 

Yeah I agree with ya.....

 

I will call it: 'The Imaginary Zoo'

and yes, i will make millions. So to answer your question, yes! bwahahah