Opinions on Local Directories that advertise for payment

For those of you who have local clients, what is your opinion on directories for local communities that require payment and actively advertise for it on the site (100 to get listed, 200 to get "enhanced listing"), in terms of Google.

Personally I've found that they refer high quality, high converting traffic. For some reason there's a ton of "Pet Friendly" niche directories on the national level. A few of my hotels are pet friendly so I think it makes sense to advertise on them.

Just looking for second opinions and experience.

 

I know of a few directories that charge $100 or more per year because they do a lot to promote their directories. For example, one person uses a CRM to actually call on customers every day, and really keeps it busy. Another matches up contractors with consumers and the contractors pay a lot for a listing and have a good renewal rate.

 

In terms of google is a big mess up. Google says to tell if somebody is selling a link. But they are selling links. So the conclusion is that if you intend to buy directorie links go for the big one (yahoo directorie)

 

Google has been very consistent in their policy about directories. The key is there is a review process (where links are rejected even), and the reason for payment is clear. So long certain criteria are met, google approves of directory submissions. There are some things that are a little sketchier like bidding directories. While I am not aware of any specific quotes from google employees about bidding directories, we still added some warnings about bidding directories. I still feel there can be some legitimate uses such as on a high traffic site where people compete for the traffic (not pagerank), but when it comes to google and pagerank, that is surely a different story.

 

Thanks dvduval - that makes sense, that there is an approval process.

 

local directories can drive a lot of traffic to listed sites. so even if they follow google's suggestion and make the links nofollow they still provide a very valuable service. a local directory makes a lot of sense for a hotel. one or two additional room sales from the link pay for a whole year's listing usually.

 

If you are buying traffic and postion the link should come with a no follow tag. That is the rule and every directory owner should be aware of it. And if you are building for the long term you should also be aware of it. Irrespective of which most people ignore the possibility of it ever becoming a problem and adopt the attitude that it will never happen. The chances are that if you are submitting your site to a genuine resource that is well run and providing a useful service to the community that it services, you won't need to worry.

It is just a pity that so many openly flout the rules. Its greed and dishonesty that does all the damage. So they are the ones to stay away from.

 

driving traffic have no difference between local and international directories .
only the higher page rank directories have some difference in traffic

 

Local directories do really well and offer good link juice most of the time.

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