http://www.searchpurple.com I have tweaked my layout to look great. I have bought a few ads on webmaster related sites. Why is my site still not taking off?
Because there are tons of web directories already on the internet. Keep advertising, try all SEO techniques, and then be patient. Traffic will come with time. Btw, you have a nice website.
Because you are asking for a reciprocal, before your directory is populated with enough links. Many of the other directories out there offer an unconditional free option. These are the ones webmasters will submit to first, and by the time those directories are exhausted there's usually no point in doing any more submissions. A reasonably good quality site will be able to get enough backlinks from free directories to make paid/reciprocal ones not worth bothering with. Except, of course, those few paid directories that bring decent traffic for the price.