When is it time to buy a $100+ paid directory listing?

[ClassifiedsKing]

I have been working on a site for 11 months, everything is looking great. Apart from a small amount of highly important keywords which rank #2 to #5. 1. How will I know if I need to invest in a paid directory? 2. Will one listing be enough to make a difference? I am looking at a listing at BOTW.org. Other recommendations welcome.

[Host1]

1: You never "need" to invest in a paid directory, just consider the price vs the returns. Personally i never pay for listings or links. I believe that the free services should be more than enough.

2: One listing on a high-ranking directory will ofcourse give you a small boost, but i'd assume that you would need a few listings to notice any permanent change in your ranking.

[VisualSense]

BOTW.org is a no brainer. These links do help to rank a little better, at least they do for me. Another one I should go for is Yahoo Dir. Both aren't cheap, but will help. Nevertheless, you will also need other kinds of links to maintain your positions, especially when your niche becomes more competitive. I would advice you to stay clear from cheap directory submissions, as these won't make much of a difference, if at all.

[ClassifiedsKing]

Thanx for the reply. I agree free should be the way. But my niche has a Blackhat SEO ranking well, so if I want to compete I need to invest. (I have reported the site over 11months ago and still nothing from Google).

[Host1]

I can definately understand the need to invest. Have considered it on several occations myself, but haven't done it yet. Somewhat because of the cost, but mostly because i have no idea which of the paid sites that are actually worth paying for. Would be nice with a list of the sites that are actually worth the money so you can avoid the useless ones.

[ClassifiedsKing]

Yeah I agree. Yahoo was my other option but at $300 I get afford it.

[Alex-Harford]

I'd say it's only time to buy it if $100+ isn't much money to you. This list gives a good indication of which directories are worth being on: http://www.seomoz.org/directories

[EGOL]

If this is a site that is just starting out I would invest in the listing. It could help get you off to a faster start.

However, if this is an established site with thousands of quality links already then I don't think that this one link will make much of a difference.

Just how I would view it for my own sites.

[ClassifiedsKing]

Good point. I am around the 100 current backlinks range, but they include many blog links. I think I need more diversity.

[Host1]

Thank you very much, did not know that list existed.