Free or Paid (Answer for beginners)

[smub]

You know so many people here ask about whether they should start with a free directory or a paid. When they should switch from a free to paid.

I decided to write an answer to those questions in my blog.


Take a look at the Genuine Paid Directory Blog - http://www.idk.in/blogs/?p=18



If you like the post you are most welcome to submit to Genuine Paid Directory

[EmpJoy]

Actually, I have a question. I have a free directory and I plan on keeping regular links free but am considering adding a featured listing option for a small fee, no more then $5 (and I think that may be tops). I have just started to look into becoming affiliates to paid listing so it pretty much depends on if that works out. I really just want to cover the cost not make money off this site, as I'm planning to use it as you suggested in your article.
So I guess my question is would adding a featured option(that would be limited in # accepted per category) have a down side that I'm not seeing? (I don't and won't ask for reciprocals either)

Thanks for the insight,
EmpJoy

[MadKad]

I like the post, I have a free one and a paid one, the paid is better as it gets good sites and not spam sites added so its not a waste of my time, but the free gets about 60% if not more just poo spammy sites. so I say paid

[loko]

Originally Posted by MadKad

so I say paid

You have some list, you can recommend something as the specialist??
Budget it $100 monthly , I know that it is not much but perhaps something will be found.

[Axial]

I try to mix it up between free and paid directories, it works better that way.

[sheena]

I would go to free directories

[Domain name master]

I would say that you don't really need the paid ones at all! I don't think I will ever use a paid directory!

[linkstraffic]

I go toward paid dir. as it means more quality and more promotion made -> possible traffic & better relevance for your link

[nks]

Paid directories are good, provided if they have sufficient pages to carry your link. Otherwise, I will still go for free directories.

Site-wide links are another story, but I do hear that they actually brings down the website's ranking.

[smub]

Originally Posted by EmpJoy

Actually, I have a question. I have a free directory and I plan on keeping regular links free but am considering adding a featured listing option for a small fee, no more then $5 (and I think that may be tops). I have just started to look into becoming affiliates to paid listing so it pretty much depends on if that works out. I really just want to cover the cost not make money off this site, as I'm planning to use it as you suggested in your article.
So I guess my question is would adding a featured option(that would be limited in # accepted per category) have a down side that I'm not seeing? (I don't and won't ask for reciprocals either)

Thanks for the insight,
EmpJoy

sorry for a late reply

but i would say go ahead and add the featured listings it shouldn't be a problem.

[Comenius]

I'm contemplating a directory and will likely launch free/paid with free submissions available but featured ensuring placement at the top of the category.

[temyong]

For me free directory, because some of free directory placed my link at PR 3. Which is good for my site and the good thing there is free. Also theres nothing wrong with Paid directory they will placed you at there page immediately after you pay.

[rankland]

Originally Posted by smub

You know so many people here ask about whether they should start with a free directory or a paid. When they should switch from a free to paid.

I decided to write an answer to those questions in my blog.


Take a look at the Genuine Paid Directory Blog - http://www.idk.in/blogs/?p=18



If you like the post you are most welcome to submit to Genuine Paid Directory

If you have a ton of money to promote you must start as a payed directory.

If you are a regular joe you must submit mega free links, but relative directories, and build slowly.

[charlesgan]

paid listing is better... even at the free directory. as it get listed in front.
different user have different needs... some of my website is submitter at free listing, some is paid listing. so both works for me.

[sheena]

I would go to Free Directories or the Deep Linking Directories

[EBORG9]

I will spend money on things that will bring me traffic. A paid directory in my eyes is only for PR purposes, and paying for just one link , when you need several just for PR is not in my game plan.

You can get a decent PR for free (at least a 4), from there it's about establishing relationships for higher exchanges.

I don't believe in paying for directories. Links advertising on heavy traffic sites, related to my niche', yes.

[rankland]

Originally Posted by EBORG9

I will spend money on things that will bring me traffic. A paid directory in my eyes is only for PR purposes, and paying for just one link , when you need several just for PR is not in my game plan.

You can get a decent PR for free (at least a 4), from there it's about establishing relationships for higher exchanges.

I don't believe in paying for directories. Links advertising on heavy traffic sites, related to my niche', yes.

Have you seen the quality directories in v7n or looked at their traffic ranking on alexa. I just recently put my directory their, and i would be willing to bet that i recieved my $50 already.

As far as sticking my site in a niche, your a minority, and thats a fact. Paid directories are promoting their site for you to get seen on the board, and their most likely giving you a google link or two.

If your a free directory your more than likely submitting to sites that are free and i would never submit to a directory with out an income to protect my site unless it was very high quality.

Link value is very important when google bots your site, or yahoo spiders it..

Are you looking for a free ticket to fame well it doesn't exist, and your always going to wonder what it could have been.

My directory is a yr 1/2 old, and it shows details on my directory.... some of the submissions in my directory have over 200 sites sent back to their site.... now if that isn't worth a 5 second submission than i dont know what to tell you.

Ive also compared these stats to alot of top serp categories for niches, and i waist them.

[EBORG9]

Rankland, I agree with you, and my opinions are definitely based on the fact that 99.9% of directories, don't have a category for my blog, nor are most directory visitors even looking for my subject matter, however, I do notice that, THAT , is different in some directories based in other countries.
And I hate submitting in the"Closest Available", cause it just gets buried in the wrong place.
I have to go a different route, because directories are just not going to do anything except give "link love".
So maybe I shouldn't be so general and I should say, "Well in my situation"