uhm I think submit my site to directory help better on google but sometime I search: link:domain I not see backlink from directory that approved my site why?
It's effective but give more consideration to the directories that have impressive listing and widely searched on.
1. Can links from a directory really effect my site in google? absolutely yes! 2. What are the best directories out there? free directories too but you can try directorycritic for they are updating their listing from time to time. 3. How can I know which directory to choose? as long as it is free with related category. 4. If you had $1000 to spend in order to get your site to the first places, what would you do? I will optimized my site...