Iam seeing too many people start web directories and the IMPORTANT thing is that some of them dont require reciprocal links - then what is the use ?Why do they start directories then ? Thank you
2 reasons: 1. Build enough links in them so that they can sell the directories 2. Build enough authority.
Creating a web directory can give you backlinks to your own personal website, create linking opportunities with other webmasters, and also gives you a good place to store all of your content in different catergories
I'm one of the dir owner that practice this method. This is done so is purely based on my interest not having any interest in any financial gain.
Just a project some people like to undertake, developing a site for the sake of developing it. It's what us true webmasters do. Of course, if you can potentially make money from it, why not? But money shouldn't be your focus for being a webmaster(eventually I would like to make my living from this and if I don't, I'm working on becoming a Fireman)
Directories are now being minimised in their impact by the search engines, so creating them is becoming less worht the time and effort.
What if you value creating a directory in terms of experience, accomplishment, learning, +1 to your portfolio, and not in terms of money? This wouldn't matter at all what happens with the SE.