How Helpful is submitting links to directories? I have been submitting since December, I know its not too much, but I would like to know if it is worth the time. Which directories to submit to? Should I submit to every possible directory I can? Is it better to submit to paid directories than the free directories? Thanks
There are far better things to do with your time. Do you really think having 500 links from crappy free directories is going to help your rankings?
hmm is there a hint of sarcasm in that? most article directories could be coined "crappy" too, still worthwhile imo though. it shouldn't be a matter of one or the other, if your seriously wanting to promote a site do all of them.
We has been talking about that many times... It won't hurt your site and it could increase your PR. But it is true, there is beter things to do with your time, ex. write some quality content and you'll how many traffic can you get from 'long tail' effect.
All I am saying is that most links from free directories are low quality and its not really worthwhile submitting to them on an ongoing basis. Sure you should pay somebody to submit to 100 as part of a wider SEO campaign but don't expect to get more out than the $15 you pay for it.
dcristo believe me, content bring tons of traffic... more than directory submition. I have recipes site and just 5 or 6 backlinks and I get about 60 unique visitors per day. And other site(which is build for link sales) have about 30 backlinks from directories and 50 from link exchanges and I don't get any traffic(5-10 per day) and 0 traffic from google.
I suppose it all depends on exactly which ones are of much benefit. Getting 10 links from good directories is better than 100 links from the 'crappy' ones. But, does anyone know which are the 'top 10' directories to go for? JB
I've had limited success from submitting to 'Free' and 'Paid' directories. It's all in what your looking to accomplish and what the different directories can offer. In no way should directory submission be supplemental to your other link building techniques though.
I'll agree. Pay someone to do it. If you're going to do it by hand, only submit where you think you'll end up on a page that will pass page rank or link juice. Before submitting, go to the directory in which you will submit yourself. If there is more than one page of links at that category, or if there no PR or if the page is not in the Google index... just keep on a movin. Otherwise, directory submissions are really only good for getting you indexed.
Mmmmmmm very interesting discussion, and if i may add my opinion, Well if someone is a full time webmaster I'd say you should go for every SEO tactic out there, content writing, directory submission, Reciprocal, PPC etc etc and if you a busy webmaster with a job, then i'd say you better manage your time and pick the most effective methods using some research on your own Thanks Sharon www.goviphosting.com - 1st month absolutely free hosting
I'm a believer in free directories. I've used them in the past and got a PR4 and rank #1 for my keyword on them alone. Best part it was free and I didn't have to write a bunch of content. Just be sure to use better judgement when submitting, because like others said - crappy links won't do anything for you.
Even if directories will help or not, just do it and continue with the other things, if will submit to directories you will not have to think so much if it's important or not. Just do it, it will take less time then all the thinking "worth it not worth it". Keep up the great work!