If I'm trying to get a site listed in the engines organically, what are the absolutely necessary directories to be in?
Everyone as is own opinion about this, but probably Yahoo and DMOZ, in my opinion. You will find a good list here Strong Directories.
I think in general terms that it is necessary to be in a number of quality directories ...................... which will give you spread and options
Well, you get what you pay for. IMO, you get alot more out of paying to get in a dozen or so of the top paid directories than spending time submitting to all those new free directories that popup daily. Not that submitting to free directories is bad, but you should seriously think about listing in some top paid ones as well.
The best 12? Well, there could be debate about what the best are? I'll give you a list of the ones I like: http://www.site-sift.com (great value!) http://www.alivedirectory.com (great value!) http://www.business.com http://www.octopedia.com (Love this one!) http://www.uncoverthenet.com (Love this one too!) http://www.joeant.com http://www.botw.org http://www.avivadirectory.com http://www.incrawler.com http://www.abilogic.com http://www.gimpsy.com http://www.skaffe.com http://directory.v7n.com http://www.umdum.com http://www.elib.org (Shopping directory) http://www.wowdirectory.com http://www.categorizedweb.com This is just a quick sample of some directories that I think are good. Check 'em out.
Don’t forget you will have to paid around $1,000 to get listed on nice places in all these directories.
None specifically, you just need a range of good quality links. In other words, you can replace any one of those directories listed by Portprophecy with a link from a high PR page that's not too crowded with other links, or with a good selection of links on medium-PR pages. So if you can't get a link in Dmoz or Yahoo, it doesn't mean your site will be doomed to obscurity. Just submit to as many free ones as you have time to, and to as many paid ones as you can afford to as long as you believe they will give you good ROI.
Dear Obelia Where we get these "a link from a high PR page that's not too crowded with other links" for free or cheap?
Now if I knew that... Of course it depends on your definition of "free". If you consider your time to be valuable, then hardly anywhere unless you're very lucky. If you can come up with a good piece of linkbait, such as a useful tool, then getting that sort of link is easier. But if you have to spend a lot of time developing this linkbait tool, then it's not exactly free or cheap, is it? Directories do tend to be a lot more straightforward than creating linkbait, in terms of knowing what you're getting yourself into and being able to predict the results.
Very good answer Obelia. I see it like this, you can spend around $500 get some links from directories and try to get Pr4 or more, then you could engage in link exchange with related sites. Other solution if you submitted to 300 free directories you will get around 150 backlinks and with luck a PR3.