Paying to get listed

Is it worth it?

[Bubzeebub]

What's your take on paying to get included in the directories and/or search engines? What benefits are there in doing that?

[bhartzer]

The benefit is that to be ranked nowadays (show up in the top ten rankings for keywords related to your website) in the search engines you must have links to your website.

You can find places that will link to your site for free (some directories or free, some require a reciprocal link) or you can pay to advertise on other related websites.

The benefit is that you will show up in the search engine rankings if you have links to your site. Otherwise, you will not.

[Bubzeebub]

So basically you're saying just paying to be included is not only not enough, it's worthless?

[martinibuster]

>>>What benefits are there in doing that?

Your site gets spidered
Many times you can request a deep link
Often it's your choice of anchor text
You don't have to reciprocate

[newkid2005]

Benefits can be:

1.) Direct traffic - some directories do send targeted/qualified visitors/prospects to listed companies

2.) Credebility - not being listed in a leading industry directory may backfire when prospects "google" you

3.) gained backlink and PR - as pointed out above, both will help your ranking in SERPS

The trick is to find the "good ones" to be listed in - those who have authority/hub status to search engines AND are well known in the part of the "real world" you are targeting.