I assume we’ve all done the directory run-around. Wait – submit - wait - wait – submit some more - submit – submit. I think you are all aware how the story goes.

But is it really worth it. We know we need to get backlinks from somewhere, and directories look to be an simple and fast way to get them. Free to submit web directories are all over the net, with a new one seemingly launched every hour. But are they worth it?

A listing in one of these new websites carries little pagerank, with many having a homepage pagerank of zero. Even if the mainpage has some pagerank very little is passed on to the inside pages – where your listing will be. As a source of traffic they are virtually  worthless – as no-one goes to a directory to search for a website.

Whilst it can’t be argued about DMOZ and the like, they are on a different plane to these small new free web directories. Some of the smaller, newer directories have one definate advantage over their bigger older cousins. Acceptance rates and time. As they are smaller and newer they don’t have nearly the same waiting lists and times. Some directories give an estimate of over 9 months until listing. So get listed quickly in directories by finding some smaller well designed directories. You may get the link in a matter of days – not months. And as the directory grows it’s quality will get higher, therefore giving your link more value. so that quick, low value link may become just as valuable as the link you had to wait ten months for.

Almost all of these smaller directories also encourage deep linking, which as we all know is much harder to get than home page links. Some even offer to place your link in numerous sections if you agree to place a recipricol link to them.

So I say give the little guys a bit of time in your hectic SEO plan. Don’t waste weeks submiting to them all, but they probably deserve a place in your SEO plan.

Do you agree? – have your say below.

Highlight any portion you want: