Should we pay for this attorney directory?

[KempRugeLawGroup]

I'm aware of how most directories don't matter and/or have lost significance over the past few years, but in the legal world, it sure seems like this one does: http://www.martindale.com/ I doubt we will ever get many cases from this directory, but it would be a nice link to have...I think. The DA is 88 and the page we would be listed in is a 39. Almost all of our competitors who outrank us have this link as well. Granted, it's not the only link, but it's one I could afford to obtain. Any thoughts or experiences?

***If any of you market for attorneys, and you're outside the Tampa area (don't want to cause any professional conflicts) have you recommended this directory to your clients?

Thanks,

Ruben

[KempRugeLawGroup]

That's a good point. It's a residual, so the first year may not be horrific. However, if I compile over 5 years, I could definitely see where we could better target our efforts.

Thanks for the insights and the clarification!

• Ruben

[Lumina]

I'm sorry if I didn't clarify - what I meant was that the money put toward that directory, be it a one-time payment or a residual, would almost always be better spent toward other marketing or SEO efforts. If this doesn't greatly effect your budget, then it's worth considering (especially if OSE say's it's a quality link).

Most of my customers are SMBs, so I tend to counsel against paid listings/directories - but I didn't take into consideration that you might not have a similar budget.

Let's append my answer to: if you have the money to test the value of this, then do it.

[KempRugeLawGroup]

I appreciate your response, but I just can't seem to wrap my head around the first point. While l agree with the idea that if I can pay for it so can anyone else, and therefore it wouldn't help me against anyone who already has that link. However, my problem is that if the link passes value, (and according to OSE it is a quality link) and I don't have it, so doesn't that mean it's hurting me vis-a-vis my competition?

[Lumina]

From experience with clients of my own (for which we develop websites and counsel), I can say that paying for a spot on a blanket directory is usually not worth it. The ideology behind that is twofold.

1. If you can pay for it, so can anyone else. That makes the intended value moot.
2. It's a common misconception that all directories benefit SEO or presence. Some actually hurt SEO. I don't know if the one you've mentioned would help or hinder, but the first point still stands.

I suggest that if you join directories, you handle that process by either asking clients (past or current) how they found you, or by researching which directories - if any - tend to bring traffic to groups similar to yours.

As an aside, I'm always suspicious/wary of any website that's poorly designed, and martindale.com is no exception.

Good luck, and I hope this has been helpful for you!

[GPainter]

The other and more important way to look at this is would a user find the directory helpful? if yes then its worth it. the other factors are a bonus ontop of the user flow.