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Can anyone suggest me what should i keep in mind when i choose a directory for paid submission
Least of all PR! See if -
1. The directory and all its pages are indexed in Google, without the Supplemental Results tags.
2. The directory is linked from few high PR pages or many average but relevant pages. Go for the latter.
3. The directory ranks for its own name :) Better see if the directory ranks well for any of the phrases which it apparently promotes.
4. Quality of editing. Are the sites in neighbourhood are related to each other? Do editors allow you to use just keyphrases as Title? and many other signals of quality.
5. Age. An older one that has weathered the tests is perhaps a reliable one.
6. The directory apparently uses some readymade directory script? Quite common when you are unable to distinguish between directories that use similar script. The one that looks handmade and unique is preferred.
7. A "Similar Pages" search in Google shows other directories. Lets you know if the directory is looked at by Google as a directory at all or not and to some extent lets you know if the directory has a network of other directories which may cause duplicate content, interlinking problems.
There are enough info available on the net for you to know the strongest links for free web submission :) Best wishes.