No Google, no PPC..so what's left?

Put your money where the results are..

[SlyGuy]

Let's pretend for a minute that I have started a brand new shiny web-based business (Sport Widgets, Inc.) and just finished creating a brand new website (www.sportswidgets.com).

Thanks to months of research at WebmasterWorld, I have optimized the website to the best of my knowledge, so doing well in Google shouldn't be a problem. I have a list of ten to fifteen solid keywords to focus on.

Alas, I'm left with the "rest" of the Internet.

Bombarded with directories, portals and search engines, I've wallowed through all the clutter and whiz bang solutions and I'm left with a list of "core" search companies. Here are the findings:

- Google - Free
- Dmoz/OPD - Free
- Yahoo! - $299.00 for a directory listing

For a grand total of $299.00

No problems so far.

ONE (1) URL:

- Altavista - $78.00 for 1 year
- Teoma/Askjeeves - $30.00 for 1 year
- Fast/AllTheWeb - $30.00 for 1 year
- Inktomi - $39.00 for 1 year
- Excite - $50.00 for 1 year

For a grand total of $227.00

This should suffice, but is this enough?

TEN (10) URLs:

- Altavista - $600.00 for 1 year
- Teoma/Askjeeves - $192.00 for 1 year
- Fast/AllTheWeb - $138.00 for 1 year
- Inktomi - $264.00 for 1 year
- Excite - $ 99.00 for 1 year

For a grand total of $1293.00

Now that's a larger number, for sure.

According to the Search Engine Relationship Chart [webmasterworld.com], this would include the listing in all the "major" search engines and directories. Additionally, exposing the website to the top 25 properties in the Neilson/Netratings.

Unfortunately, we're talking about the difference of $1066.00(US) and that's quite a bit of green for a new company.

So, here are my questions:

1) Is it worth the extra $1000.00, or would that money be better placed into a PPC program with Overture or Looksmart?

2) Have I forgotten anything? Is there something on the list that should be added or removed?

[Marcia]

SlyGuy, I wouldn't do 10 with those others, they just don't bring enough of a percentage of traffic yet. FAST might do well depending on geographical location, but not for 10. MSN can be good, so maybe a couple more with Inktomi, since additional pages are cheaper, but only for keywords where there are few LS listings.

Depending on the industry, there might be some good special directories or vortals that are good for PR or bring direct traffic that are worth paying for a year.

Giving a try with Overture on a limited basis might be a good idea because of the breadth of exposure.

[vitaplease]

> Thanks to months of research at WebmasterWorld, I have optimized the website to the best of my knowledge, so doing well in Google shouldn't be a problem

then, given time, the other search engines should come in for free, also for the deeper pages in my experience.

As Marcia, said I prefer paying for specialised industry specific directories, for traffic and good links.