Link Building: Paid Directory Inclusion

[Alex]

I run a small business buying and selling Cisco networking equipment, things like routers, switches, firewalls, etc....

I'm actively working on link building, and I am on the fence as to whether to cough up the cash for a paid directory inclusion in Dir.Yahoo.com, Business.com, Botw, etc....

Doing quite a bit of linked article submission, heavily targeting about a dozen keywords/phrases. Also selective linked blog commenting and a few other tactics....there are not a ton of "industry relevant" sites without opportunities for followed links.

Looking for the opinion of experienced link builders...are paid inclusion in these premier directories a "must have". I am not a cheapskate by any means, but something about paid directories with annual renewals rubs me the wrong way.

[Xatsker]

They're not absolutely necessary, especially if you're having success getting links from other solid sites. I usually use a few paid directories as a base -- just something to get things started with. But I've pretty much given up on directories that only offer an annually renewable listing. If I'm going to pay to get into a directory, I want to pay once and be done with it.

[mangoface]

It's all about experimentation, for some niches getting included into those directories may help but  in most cases you really don't need it. I only submit my sites to very niche directories. I find that helps most!

[bigzee]

It used to work great in the good old days 

However now the effects are much less, google seems to love in content links in highly related articles. I still submit to directories but not as much!

[truffleshuffle]

Yahoo directory, DMOZ etc are all old ways of getting your site noticed. Having a listing on any of them takes more time and effort than it's worth. I personally have quite a few sites on DMOZ (sure it's not paid, but it's supposed to be exclusive), mainly old ones and I don't really see any of them having a boost or gaining any benefit from being on them.

In terms of traffic refferals I literally get no traffic from them!

[Sevam]

It is almost impossible to get into dmoz.
So to promote site, you can pay for inclusion, but i have never done it.

[Andrew11]

I don't like anything to do with monthly/annual fees subscriptions via online transaction I think it's crazy Paypal allows this without a second verified consent every month/year.  These kinds of fees really add up

[jean12]

I used to use directory links when I first got into creating websites, however, I've been using them lesser and lesser as time passed by as I don't find them as useful as I did before as Google didn't pay much attention to these.

It might work for the nature of your business though it all depends really, because I had very different websites.

[alexmike]

I don't know about you but I wouldn't spend too much time paying for a directory submission. i haven' t found it to be very useful lately. maybe it was in the beginning but not any more.

[fiant]

Paid directory inclusion in reputable directories like Dir.Yahoo.com, Business.com, and Best of the Web (BOTW) can potentially offer some benefits to your link-building efforts. These directories often have high authority and visibility, which can lead to increased exposure for your business and potential referral traffic.

However, it's important to consider a few factors before making a decision. First, evaluate the relevance of these directories to your industry. Are they frequented by your target audience? Will being listed there provide value beyond just link-building?

Second, think about the return on investment (ROI) of paid directory inclusion. Consider the cost of inclusion and compare it to the potential benefits in terms of increased traffic, visibility, and conversions. Assess whether the potential gains justify the expenditure.

Lastly, remember that link-building encompasses various tactics beyond just directory inclusion. It's good to diversify your approach by engaging in other strategies like content creation, guest blogging, social media outreach, and relationship building within your industry. These activities can help generate organic and relevant links to your website.

more things to consider when evaluating the value of paid directory inclusion:

1. Domain Authority: Check the domain authority of the directories you're considering. Higher domain authority indicates a stronger and more reputable website, which can potentially boost your own rankings and credibility.

2. Niche Relevance: Ensure that the directories you choose are relevant to your industry and target audience. Listing your business on directories that cater to your specific niche can generate more qualified leads and relevant traffic.

3. User Experience: Consider the user experience offered by the directories. Are they easy to navigate? Do they have a user-friendly interface? A well-designed directory can enhance the chances of users finding and engaging with your listing.

4. Competition Analysis: Research your competitors' backlink profiles and see if they are listed in these directories. If they are, it might indicate that there is value in being listed there as well. However, it's important to not blindly follow their strategy without considering your own unique circumstances.

5. Long-Term Benefits: Assess whether the benefits of paid directory inclusion are short-term or long-term. Some directories provide nofollow links, which do not directly impact your search engine rankings but can still drive referral traffic. Additionally, consider if the annual renewal cost aligns with the potential long-term benefits.

few additional factors to consider when deciding whether to invest in paid directory inclusion:

1. Trustworthiness of the Directories: Verify the reputation and trustworthiness of the directories you're considering. Look for reviews, testimonials, or feedback from other businesses that have used their services. Make sure they have a solid track record and are known for maintaining high-quality listings.

2. Local Directories: If your business serves a specific geographic area, look for local directories that cater to your region. Being listed in these directories can help improve your visibility among local customers and boost your local SEO efforts.

3. Authority and Traffic of the Directories: Research the traffic and popularity of the directories you're considering. Tools like SimilarWeb or Alexa can provide insights into the estimated number of visitors to a website. Higher traffic directories may offer more exposure to potential customers.

4. External Link Policy: Check if the directories allow external links in their listings, as some directories only provide nofollow or redirect links. While these links might not directly impact search engine rankings, they can still drive valuable referral traffic to your website.

5. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluate the cost of inclusion against the potential benefits, such as increased visibility, website traffic, leads, and conversions. Consider the long-term value that being listed in these directories can bring to your business.