When should directory owners charge for submissions?

Discussion in 'Directories' started by skillipedia, Feb 28, 2007.

  1. #1
    I've seen good web dir with decent PR and all what they ask is an optional backlink and I've seen others - just launched- and they expect you to pay for submissions!

    When should dir owners charge for listing web sites in their dir( PR, SERP, etc.)?

    Cheers
     
    skillipedia, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  2. Richie_Ni

    Richie_Ni Illustrious Member

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    #2
    It's review fee,reviewing sites takes time.
    And directory owners need to make a living too.
     
    Richie_Ni, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  3. britishguy

    britishguy Prominent Member

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    #3
    If anyone can tell me how a Directory can survive without having paid listings, then please explain to me
    Gaygle for Ad**** are not an option imho as a free directory with Ad**** is not a directory with a guaranteed future infact it could be arguably considered as MFA, not all but some could be
     
    britishguy, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  4. wwws

    wwws Notable Member

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    #4
    You may charge from day one as you wish, there are no rules that says you can't and also you may keep it free forever aslong as you want. What are your goals and ententions?

    It takes alot of work to run a websites, the labor alone cannot amount to what the websites is currently worth. I've seen some sites being sold next to nothing. I hear things that directories should be Free. In some cases Directories are free because of the person who's running it wants it to be free.

    Directories are like anything else, it provides services to you much like your ISP or your webhosting and for the most part those aren't free, it's a paid service.
     
    wwws, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  5. toby

    toby Notable Member

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    #5
    From day one. Otherwise you may have many spam to your sites. HOWEVER, you could always do promotion for people to do submission.

    This way, you could get some links as well as some recognition to you.
     
    toby, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  6. Rod_Purnell

    Rod_Purnell Peon

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    #6
    Have to agree with the charging from day-1 theory. My directory has always been free with a paid option for better position. While I manage to get enough paid submissions to make it worth while, I can tell you that the majority of sites I review are submitted on a free basis. Only a few of those make it into the directory though as most are not in compliance with my guidelines.
     
    Rod_Purnell, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  7. tmcca

    tmcca Peon

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    #7
    For the most part I do not charge for linking to my directories, I do charge if you want a feature link. Why don't I charge, because I'm retired and do this as a hobby and not to make money. As a hobby I expect to spend a few bucks, (in some cases my wife says alot of bucks) to enjoy this hobby thing. As a hobby I have to run hard to keep up with all you young bucks (& does). I have a sickness called CRS. (CRS= Can't remember shit and what I do remember is wrong.) Keep on Truck'n
     
    tmcca, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  8. wwws

    wwws Notable Member

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    #8
    LOL...nice one tmcca:)
     
    wwws, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  9. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #9
    Question ..When to turn Paid

    1. PR Atleast have some PR backing you...its real hard trying to get people to pay
    for a directory thats got nothing to give back....Yet anyway

    2. Template.... are you using a freebie? Great! Now did you make it custom or somthing so
    it dont look like the 1 million others? No a little Ass logo dont do it for me thats not change.

    3. Backlinks So.... hows your backlinks? Got any? Well Youd best get you some........

    Truthfully its up to the submitter... I will if i know the owner and hes got his game face on,
    ohhh your a newbie ahhh.... forget it you might sell it soon after or cant pay your hosting
    or your a link deleter or the old i lost my database crap

    Sorry i want results not excuses......

    thx
    malcolm
     
    malcolm1, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  10. nate_king1

    nate_king1 Active Member

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    #10

    Here is the truth, directories need revenue in order to incentives the owner to make a quality directory. Because money motivates everybody. So to answer, you should charge right before you start getting bored with your directory.
     
    nate_king1, Feb 28, 2007 IP
  11. MeetHere

    MeetHere Prominent Member

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    #11
    Start accepting paid ones when:

    You have a nice PR directory
    Quality template
    Good promotion and Advertisements
    Too many link backs ( so that buyer be satisfied about PR juice )
     
    MeetHere, Mar 1, 2007 IP
  12. solidghost

    solidghost Peon

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    #12
    I think you should start charging when you got a lot of quality listings.
    Give people value and they will be willing to pay.
     
    solidghost, Mar 1, 2007 IP
  13. terryuk

    terryuk Notable Member

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    #13
    If i were to setup a new paid directory, i'd have it paid from day one, otherwise it's possible to loose out lots of $$$.
     
    terryuk, Mar 1, 2007 IP
  14. MeetHere

    MeetHere Prominent Member

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    #14
    But you should do some promotions/advertisments/link building ..

    Will you start paid submission without these from day 1 ?
     
    MeetHere, Mar 1, 2007 IP
  15. brainet

    brainet Active Member

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    #15
    i guess the best parameters is:
    1. unique visitor
    2. pagerank/baclinks
    3. quality link content
    and the other that could be consider
    4. how many link you have in the directory
    5. custom tempate
    6. unique content/service/etc, that other directory dont have

    but the big question is how much????
    1. how much unique visitor
    2. how much baclinks/pagerank
    3. how much quality link content
     
    brainet, Mar 1, 2007 IP
  16. terryuk

    terryuk Notable Member

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    #16
    Yep i would! Free directories are bombarded with tons of submissions within a couple of days, that could easily mean loss of 500+ submissions in the future? :rolleyes:
     
    terryuk, Mar 1, 2007 IP
  17. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #17
    If the PR is 0 and doesnt have a fairly decent template or i check your backlinks and its under 1000.....then i just leave as i see you cant offer me any benefit before the PR update and that means i just wasted money on your site when i could have found somebody with the above criteria that could have made the difference in my site moving up in PR.


    thx
    malcolm
     
    malcolm1, Mar 1, 2007 IP
  18. terryuk

    terryuk Notable Member

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    #18
    Yeah, just because i would set it paid from day one, it doesn't mean i'd expect submissions. It'd just be loosing $$$$ if you set it free, then to paid at a later date.

    Thats my thoughts anyways..
     
    terryuk, Mar 1, 2007 IP
  19. SFOD_D223

    SFOD_D223 Peon

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    #19
    Which backlink checker do you use Malcolm? And is it reputable and consistent?
     
    SFOD_D223, Mar 1, 2007 IP
  20. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #20
    I understand trust me as i wish i wouldnt have done what i did with sleek
    or biz-king but in the end that FREE content helped my sites get inner juice with
    the content they provided... Ive tons of room so it didnt hurt but i know what your saying...

    thx
    malcolm
     
    malcolm1, Mar 1, 2007 IP