Should I pay $39 annually to be listed on a PR3 category? Doesn't seem to make sense to me. Or does the dir get copied around the net the way DMOZ does? Also, are some of the sites there for free because they can't have empty directories?
>>Should I pay $39 annually to be listed on a PR3 category that is a question only you can answer, but perhaps i can clear up some of your preconceptions. first of all, i must stress that you are not paying to be listed in BOTW. you are paying for an expedited review by a BOTW editor to determine whether or not your site meets our guidelines and is eligible for inclusion within the directory. BOTW does not sell links. if the editor determines that your site is eligible, you are placed in the MOST relevant category for your listing (irrespective of the current PR). additionally, your listing gets placed in a regional category (if applicable) and shows in the corresponding What's New pages. if your sole purpose in submitting to BOTW is to boost your PR, i would tell you to look elsewhere. if you are interested in being listed in a relevant category, surrounded by other quality websites relevant to the subject matter, then a BOTW submission would be a good fit. >>does the dir get copied around the net the way DMOZ does? while we do not currently display our content elsewhere, we are considering the idea of licensing our content in the near future. >>are some of the sites there for free because they can't have empty directories? most of the sites listed within BOTW were added for free (90%+). our team of editors scour the internet, finding quality, relevant sites to add to the directory. in our efforts to provide our users with the highest quality of information available, BOTW editors spend their days (and nights) adding listings. we also offer free submissions to non-commercial sites, so a bunch of sites get listed in that fashion as well. and while it is our goal to fill in all empty categories (we have a special team of "zero-busters"), we are still quite a ways off from eliminating all of them...
There's so much more happening now than plain PR. You've got to build trust with your customers and search engines alike. While many directories have sitewide links etc, BOTW do not and this is what sets them apart. Their index is quality and up to date. You'll be getting a solid vote of confidence. It's worth it.
Thanks for the spectacular reply, positive reps on the way for that. My sites are quality, so your team of editors may come across each of them one day and add them. Thanks again for the help.