Web Directory

Prediction: no one here is going to touch this one. :)

it's free as long as people insert our badges.

Been there, as soon as the info needed updating a charge magically appeared.
I am not saying that the OP is planning that but as an experienced webmaster I wouldn't bother finding out.

Prediction: no one here is going to touch this one. :)

why is that?

Please PM me if you can help.

it's free as long as people insert our badges.

That's where you gave it away that charges are possible. Webmasters work on thin margins these days. We do realize that "free" has a cost, but then again, we like to control the appearance of our pages, too.

It's a no-win for either of us.

let me see I give you a quality index "badge/banner" you give me a buried spammy link .........not for me

There are tens... of thousands, of directories that require some sort of reciprocal link.

More likely hundreds of thousands at the end of the day.

Does anyone know where can I find people interested in buying such links?

Not here. People only pay for links from good quality sites that are on topic, not link directories. Unless they want to destroy their search engine rankings, of course.

Ok, guys. Looks like my directory idea sucks.
But I'm not discouraged yet.
Besides, you guys are experts, not all website owners have the knowledge about reciprocal linking, SEO etc..

How about FB advertising (Likes & Interests)? What target group/ keyword would you pick?

Lawyers? Online Business? Marketing?

As you can tell, a white-label directory isn't attractive to experienced webmasters. If your directory is more targeted at a particular niche, you'll get more traction a with link exchange outreach. But like Brother'o'LAN says, there are lots of directories out there...

Can you target your directory at a niche that isn't well-supported by existing search options?

I know someone who runs a directory service that is doing well, because they are servicing a very specific industry serviced by hundreds of small businesses and sole tradesmen. What they provide seems more like a referral agency, but at its core it's really just a directory site.

I realize you're not here soliciting us as participants. You want to know where to find customers. So - yes, try some FB ads, try PPC, put your message out there in social media, do a press release.

You may also want to try traditional media like print ads, radio spots, etc.

I don't believe there's any lack of marketing opportunities for Lawyers, Online Business, or Marketing. You'll probably want to target services like nannies, concrete repair, motorcycle refurbishing, plumbing, bookbinding... et al

Directories need to be tightly focussed, by location, subject or possibly both. (eg bookbinders in South East England). Even then, as I commented before, a lot of link building effort on your part will simply be dismmissed as spam.

I used to run directories of artists, venues and suppliers on behalf of a regional arts body. Venues and artists were happy to link but I got sweet FA in the way of return links from music shops and recording studios. I knew the topic and was able to build the directory on the basis of local knowledge and personal contacts.

In industrial sectors there are already quite a lot of well established directories vying for the online marketing dollar. Many used to be paper directories in the olden days, Thomas Register for example, then there are the Applegates and their ilk and the only online Yahoo and business.com directories.

There are quite a lot of directories all asking for not very much money but when you add it up it is a lot. I think many people are put off because there is no guarantee of benefits, no "pay for performance". Instead it is just pay, and pay again.

I know for the industrial B2B B&M I am promoting we have pretty much decided, NO directories at all. Partly because there is no way to ensure a payback.