Just wondering how many of you paid to submit your site to Yahoo or any of the other paid directories. On a small biz forum that I check now and then, it was suggested that paying for your Yahoo submission (last I checked, it was about $200) can result in a whole lot of new traffic.

Also, are any of you accepted into the DMOZ directory? I've tried about 5 times, and never get anywhere with it. But again, it's supposed to be tremendously effective.

Would greatly appreciate any thoughts y'all have on the subject.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

I'm working with an SEO expert and he's not really jazzed about the paid directories. His thought is if you use your keywords and inner links, your site will increase in search inquiries ergo no need to pay for directory listings. My initial thought about a Yahoo directory is how is it used and how many competing businesses are in the same directory? I'd be interested to see how others comment to your question, based on their experience. It's a notion worth considering if one has those funds for marketing.

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Trish Hallmark
www.thvaonline.com

I've never been a fan of paid directories. I paid for a directory and paid over AU$100 for a year and haven't had one enquiry from there even though they promised me great hits on my ad. There are so many free ones out there these days that I don't see the need. You have to put your feet in the client's shoes - who is your target market and what would be the most common way of them looking for your services? Are they members of any of these directories or would they go to something local and/or free.

For example here in Australia we have the Yellow Pages which is probably the first stop every person would go to if they wanted to find a service. Some ladies haven't had luck, but that is the only paid for advertising I do and a huge chunk of my work comes through there. It has more than paid for itself, even though it is quite expensive in comparison.

Also using keywords etc in your site will help with Google and Yahoo searches and you are able to 'submit' a site for free. SEO is constantly changing to prevent the system being taken advantage of by less ethical operators, so no matter what method you use, it may quickly be out of date and you have paid a fortune!

Google what you think a potential client would put in to find you and see what comes up on the page. Think about what sites they are - if they are free registries then sign up and if they are other business sites have a look at their keywords and see what they have that you don't! ;-)


The Yellow Pages is a lot more than that, but has a larger available audie

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Marie Chandler - your virtual assistant
www.officesupportonline.com.au

When I advise clients on SEO, if they have the budget absolutely Yahoo! paid directory is on the list. The key is knowing how to write the submission - they, like DMOZ, will decline your submission AND keep your $200 [it used to be $300!]. DMOZ is crucial, but is of course free - again, the issue is knowing how to write the listing so it's accepted.

It it's at all gimicky, or sounds like an ad it's an automatic rejection. Check out other listings on DMOZ in your industry, or your client's industry, for samples of 'what works' and follow suit. Note that most listings are one sentence, not more. Link title is the actual business name, not a keyword-stuff.

With all that said, I think SOME paid directories can be worth it. There are also a lot of free directories that, while you'll get a link back to your site, can do more harm than good. Avoid the really junky link farms, paid or otherwise - you'll know them when you see them.

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im studying to be an expert in SEM and Im learning that If you have the money, Yahoo should be a definate. I heard it can give you the biggest push in the search engines. I havent tried it myself.

So as long as you have the cash, its worthwhile paying for yahoo.