Best of the Web to Raise Submission Fees

I just returned from Search Engine Workshops' Ultra Advanced Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina where I learned some amazing things. Due to a non disclosure agreement attendees are required to sign, I can't tell you what I learned, but I can tell you it was amazing new information. I'll keep you posted when another one is scheduled. I strongly advise anyone that's serious about learning cutting edge SEO strategies to attend in the future.

I'm trying to catch up on my email and found a reminder from Best of the Web:

Best of the Web directory has notified users that they are going to raise their submission fees on September 1, 2006. They haven't said what the increased rates are going to be yet, but you can still list your sites or upgrade to the lifetime listing now and beat the increase. I just upgraded my listing from annual to lifetime.

Best of the Web is a paid directory, but it is one of only a handful that I really recommend you list your sites in.

martin

Want a Free Link? (a Rant about Free Directories Turning Paid)

First off, I apologize again for being tardy in updating my reviews of the Free Directories. I have been wonderfully busy with client work! ;-)

There is another reason for my delay in updating. That is the amount of time and effort it takes to keep up with all these new free directories that start free and then turn paid. I understand the directory owner's motivation with this business model, but it sure makes a lot of work for me in trying to keep my reviews up to date. It also impacts the usefulness of my reviews for my visitors.

When I started the Free Directory Reviews in early 2005, I was just returning to the SEO/web development business and had lots of time. Now, that I have several great clients with lots of big projects, unfortunately the reviews tend to suffer. I try to dedicate part of one day a week to keeping the reviews current and adding to them. Now I find that it takes that amount of time just to check and move the free directories to paid after they switch their submission model. If it wasn't for Info Vilesilencer's great SEO Friendly List and the nice people who let me know of changes, my reviews would be even further behind.

So what can I do about this? Here's the part where you can get a free one way link:

If you find that a directory, I reviewed, has made a substantial change (free to paid or other important detail), let me know. If you are the first person to advise me of this change, I'll give you a link as a thank you. So far 4 people have given me a heads up on changes out of the goodness of their heart. Thanks Ari, Sid, Renk and Peter (your links are in the reviews).

Now that I am getting so busy with clients, I find I don't have the time to submit their sites to free directories, so I have started using Info Vilesilencer's great directory submission service. They will hand submit your site to all the directories in the SEO Friendly List for $349.00. That is a real deal and I recommend it to everyone.

This weeks updates:

I finally got the PageRank updated on the Paid Directories and moved 4 free directories to paid. I'll try to get some new free directories added soon, but I get pretty frustrated when I add them and a month later they turn paid. Getting in early is important to getting a free listing, so be sure to check the Newly Added section of Info Vilesilencer's SEO Friendly List. I'll try to keep up on directories that appear to want to continue to offer free listings.

martin