Looksmart.co.uk.... Worth it?

This has probably been discussed a thousand times

[chrisholgate]

This has probably been discussed a thousand times but I've just done a site search of Webmaster World and the newest advice that I personally could find was a year out of date.

I'm a commercial website with a little bit of cash to increase site exposure and was wondering if you'd all consider it worthwhile to PPI into the Looksmart.co.uk database? Have already done adwords, overture, espotting etc so would this be the logical next step?

Like I said, sorry if this has been discussed many a time before so please, no sarcastic responses :-)

Chris Holgate

[jeremy goodrich]

I would do Yahoo UK first - as they drive a LOT more traffic & have a MUCH bigger marketshare (they weren't in your list of what you've done already, so...) ;)

[chrisholgate]

Does anybody actually use Yahoo as a directory though as I've always just used it as a search engine which I believe is sourced off of Google anyway?

Do you believe that paying £199 would to get into one of the Yahoo categories would be beneficial when I rate number one for some of my key phases using their search anyway?

Many thanks

Chris

[pixel_juice]

>>I would do Yahoo UK first - as they drive a LOT more traffic & have a MUCH bigger marketshare

I'm not sure I agree. Being listed in the Yahoo directory currently has no direct influence on rankings, other than the benefits of having a strong incoming link. At least, until Y! starting shaking up the serps with their new system. That's not to say that Y! isn't useful. Big categories do attract their own traffic, and a listing is a pretty essential investment.

However, a well-researched listing in Looksmart UK can result in good ranking and large numbers of visitors via MSN, beating much more established sites in some cases.

At least, that's been my experience. I understand everyone's reasons for disliking L$, but from a (short term) traffic perspective I think it's a much better option.

Long term - Yahoo are getting stronger and Looksmart are dying, so I guess you pays your money...

[jeremy goodrich]

Long term, paying Yahoo is paying *Yahoo* for traffic & a nice link. People use the directory, as well as search their site - and with their recent purchases, it only makes sense that they will do something 'in house' at some point.

Paying LookSmart for the UK market => and getting MSN, is paying a 3rd party provider. As we all know, those tend to get switched around a lot ;) so your investment may pay off nothing in the long run.

Isn't LS on MSN 2nd to PPC listings anyway? If those are working out, you already have a presence there. Buying the Yahoo link gets you into a *new* market.

But - if you have the budget, go for both.

[chrisholgate]

Lets not get carried away, jeremy :-)

[chrisholgate]

Don't know if I'll be allowed to post a direct catagory listing but I don't see any reason why not. If I were to submit to Yahoo.co.uk I'd be looking to enter the

/Regional/Countries/United_Kingdom/Business_and_Economy/
Business_to_Business/Computers/
Hardware/Peripherals/Printers/Supplies/
Inkjet_Cartridges/

section. Is there anyway I can check out potential traffic for that section as you've got me thinking about doing both now.

Please don't edit this; I didn't mention anything specific about my company or list a URL.

[edited by: skibum at 10:17 pm (utc) on July 17, 2003]

[edited by: Marcia at 10:18 pm (utc) on July 17, 2003]
[edit reason] editied to narrow thread window [/edit]

[chrisholgate]

Just bit the bullet and paid £149 + VAT for a listing on Looksmart.co.uk; still thinking about advice on Yahoo though. Any further opinions?