Recommendations for a few paid directories?

I have a small, self-funded, bible teaching website. We solicit no donations, nor do we accept them. I have a small budget (about $400) for the purpose of getting into a few high-quality, paid directories. Since we are noncommercial, my single purpose in the anticipated submission to paid directories is to draw more interested viewers to our free bible studies and sermon outlines.

I'm new at this -- do I correctly understand that being listed in some high-rank directories will increase the traffic to the website by enhancing my site's page rank? I should add that I currently have about nine bible-related search phrases (for example, "bible teachings"), showing up on Google's first page and about twice that number on MSN. Our homepage pagerank is a humble 2.

Could anyone help me out with some recommendations on a few paid directories that would serve our primary purpose of drawing more interested readers? Thanks very much.

 

My list of paid directory listings should be of assistance. I'm afraid that I don't know of any bible specific directories.

 

CanadianEh has a very nice list. You should definitely check it out.

 

Thanks, CanadianEh. Lots of great leads there.

 

Thanks for the positive comments. It helps motiveate me to get ready for another round of additions and updates.

 

I have used your list before, and it's absolutely great. Good work.

 

Dear Jim

The advice I have may well be different to some of the regulars in here and I do not wish to step on anyones toes. Consider not buying any links!

Work with traditional SEO and concentrate on improving your positioning that way. Seek out similar websites to exchange your links with but do not buy links!!!! You really do not need to.

Another approach would be to develop a webring with other websites in your particular niche field. This will spread everyones traffic and considering that you have a specific field it, you could rely on mutual support to enhance your traffic.

Finally what most of us webmasters tend to forget is that we have access to web visitors not just on the internet. Like with any form of marketing you can start the ball rolling with a leaflet handout at your local Church. Some Churches have a circuit of fellowship, you would be suprised how many people will talk about your website and visit it even after a few cheap leaflets are handed out?

Just dont buy links!!!!

Its only the way I would approach your predicament and as I said I do not mean to offend anyone with this post. I just think Churches/ Religions/ Hospitals/ charities should not have to pay for links.

sorry for the rant

and good luck!

 

Working with SEO and offline marketing are of course good ideas, but if you value your time in dollars then it's very likely paying for submission to established directories is going to work out better.

Consider the leaflet option - first you have to design the leaflet yourself (or pay a designer). Then you have to go to a store and buy the leaflets. Then you have to print them. Then you have to hand them out. How much will this cost if you value your time at say $15 an hour? Compare that to the many premium directories that offer submission for only a few dollars, and you're listed forever, whereas IMHO people would forget about a leaflet pretty quickly.

 

With all due respect norfstar, most churches have "catelogues" that are already in place. They certainly have noticeboards and fellowship meetings. These are the kind of places I would market to for that kind of target audience. If Jim approaches the right people then he will probably get this phase of marketing for free. This will not take any additional time, as I am sure Jim already accesses these "forums" already, owing to the nature of his website. Again this is just my objective view. Sometimes you cant start the ball rolling by chucking money at the situation and getting some SEO to get you links in Scunthorpe under spot welding.

We are talking about a niche market place where people take their religion seriously not some advertisent in a seedy bar toilet for private hire firms. Jims target audience is commited to learning and developing their faith, this goes alot further to them in conversation.

But I do see your point and I aggree that such a traditional form of marketing does not suite every marketing challenge, but again it has its place in powerful niches, where word of mouth can only prevale. Especially when the target market depends on each other for verbal referral on nearly everything they do.