Why do you submit to a paid directory?
There are many reasons why webmasters submit to paid directories, some more prevalent to others. I myself have come up with my own specific guidelines when choosing and submitting to paid directories. Here they are:
- Has the directory owner taken the time to design and customize the directory, rather than using the default theme or a free theme?If the answer is no, my sites will not be submitted. Why? The directory market is becoming more and more saturated with webmasters who want to make a quick buck. That said, many of these webmasters take the time to open, fill categories, and promote their directories, only to sell them off and in some instances, shut them down. Most if not all the directories that are well known, are all custom and time has been dedicated to carefully designing for it’s own brand.
- Does the directory have PR? Does the directory carry PR within the Categories and subcategories? Google has created an enormous buzz with the latest PR updates, especially after April’s shocking PR update that showed that sites with little to no backlinks can obtain a PR6 or higher. Since the update, many but not nearly most webmasters have began to realize PR is far from everything. Of course, it is great to get a backlink from a PR6 directory, but the PR may drop to a PR2 at the next update, leaving only disappointment if that’s what you only dwell on. My view is, if the directory has PR, Great!, but I look at more characteristics to determine the quality of my listing.
- Does the category most relevant to your website contain many or few links? As a directory owner and a webmaster, this is the most important question I ask myself when I look into submitting to a directory. There are thousands of free directories out there, but with free, comes sacrifice, sacrifice of any exposure depending on the way the links are sorted.For instance, X Directory is a PR4 free directory; however, since X directory is free, the category for “Paid Directories” has over 200 Links with only 25 Links showing on the first page. Those links are sorted by PR. If I were to submit Y Directory with a pagerank of 4, I would be in page 2, 3, or 4 depending on the links already listed. What benefit do I get from this? If you were to survey webmasters and counted the number of those who search after page 1 of a directory category, the numbers would be rather slim. Therefore, the solution is easy and has a similiar but more beneficial sacrifice.By Turning the tables, X Directory is a PR4 paid directory. When submitting Y Directory, I see the “Paid Directories” has only 12 Links. Each Submission costs $24.95 for a lifetime listing. The chances of Y Directory remaining on the first page of “Paid Directories” is far greater than that of the free X Directory, even though you are short $24.95.So, would you rather take the free route or pay for more exposure and get the same result of PR?My question for you:
Are you submitting to a directory because YOU think it’s beneficial, or because everyone else says it’s worthwhile and it’s necessary?It’s your money, so it should be your decision. Think of your own variables and then validate the decision.