'Much' is a relative term isn't it. The pr4 directory I mentioned earns me £1200 a month (ish). To some that is a drop in the ocean, to others it is a kings ransom. Niche niche niche. Honestly though please don't take this as criticism, but you are placing so much wasted weight on PR. Let me ask you this question, WHY do you want a high Pr? If you are building the backlinks to your site based on PR then you are so going to get hammered over the next 18-24 months. The future of success in the SERP's is about semantic relevance and trust of links IMO, and very little else. General directories will struggle unless they are VERY special. And if you think that directories don't bring traffic, then might I suggest you have a word with Bruce Stone of WOW/Skaffe etc.
Funny thing you mentioned WOW. I do have two links listed on WOW, as sponsored links, in top categories. They haven't been there for a long time, but I just check my stats for one site = 1 visitor Anyway, I am not placing too much weight on PR. I am just saying that higher PR tells me that owner is more serious about his directory. Additonaly, 99% of directory submitters place the most weight on PR. So I am just trying to stress out what most of the submitters are looking for. I totally agree with you that the future of success in the SERP's is about semantic relevance and trust of links. However, that is the future. But for now, directory submissions are still working, and I am making to best of it p.s. Right now I am also conducting an experiment, and will report on it in about two weeks. I am building a bunch of links to one site (90% directory links) without doing any onsite optimization. It is working fine so far, but I will report in more details when the time comes
Thank you for sharing your valuable tips.It will be very helpful to directory owners who is really worried about their directories. Thanks you again.
Thanks for these lines, I ll definitively consider these for my directory even if I do not agree with all.
Great post. I agree with everything except this. Now maybe since I went overboard I am an exception to the rule. But I am doing better with 30 PR3 directories than most single PR7 sites are doing. Sometimes its about quantity.
I agree. I have a site listed in a niche directory that sends me around 500 visitors a month. Total cost $10/month, which is well worth it. Maybe you should charge, I'd rather pay for that then for a high PR link. And because it's niche, its a relevent backlink.
I think it is horses for courses. I have a rugby directory on my forum and that gets a fair amount of traffic as well.
I started with my first directory and want to focus to get PR first and improve it. Thanks for this tip's it very useful for me..
This was a pretty sound post. The only part I didnt agree with is: if i need to explain i will. i'm just kind of busy and taking a break at them moment.
i really like the way you shared your experience...Thnx alot for the advice... You will get a green rep frm me tooo.. Thnxx again.....
Hey Velocity ! You have explained a million $ words in just a paragraph !!! Thanks for making me understand of all the procedures I will definatelly follow your directions. Well i have a directory called nameproz[dot]com and i think you should submit links to it as you said in the last !! BTW thanks for the Gr8 Post
Nice post!! I will definitely improve my reciprocal business directory according to you recommendations (submit procedure at first). Though, I do not plan to introduce paid listings. Hope you will like to submit to it as well
some good tips there makes me want to develope my directory I just bought the domain and did nothing with it