Link building

[PHDAustralia68]

Folks

would you recommend i build a link on this site for $30... http://www.web-directory-australia.info

please let me know detailed reasons as to your recommendation as I'm a new SEO and learning as much as I can

[RyanKent]

Page Authority.

PA is real to us. We can see it. It is updated and we understand more specifically how it is calculated.

Page Rank is used by Google, but they only update it for us a few times a year. Also the actual formula is secret which leaves us guessing.

There are a few PR vs PA discussions which are quite good but bottom line is I don't use PR for anything.

[PHDAustralia68]

Marc.. thank you... I'm learning as fast as I can and your comments really were helpful

[PHDAustralia68]

Thank you Jan

[PHDAustralia68]

thank you Ryan.... just wondering

what is more important Page Rank or Page Authority? what tool should I use in SEO MOZ to measure?

[RyanKent]

Fair enough Marc. Thanks for elaborating.

[MarcLevy]

Ryan, I think we are on pretty much the same page (although I would consider the site depending on circumstances).

I don't think you would run any chance of being penalized by having your site listed here as a standalone. If you went and did a million of these, then maybe.

For me, the site is AUS related, has 400+ unique roots into the domain and has over 6000 pages indexed. If this was a US scencario I would say it has less value, however, international serps are (most of the time) less competitive giving more value to links from places like these.

The original poster should remember I am not saying i would 100% get a link from here, but I would consider it based on my individual situation and after researching further into the site like I recommended earlier.

[RyanKent]

Marc, I like your overall assessment. I do find value in using BOTW and Yahoo directories, although some have disagreed with me on that topic. Those are the only two general directories I consider using on each site. As you mentioned, they charge for the review process.

When a site says they will refund your money if you do not get in, they are not charging for the review process. If you get in, you pay. If you don't get in, you don't pay. It sounds pretty straight forward, and that is how many paid directories work. Google's policy on paid directories is clear.

My concern is that if this link is purchased, the link may offer no value or worse, cause the site to be penalized for purchasing links. It crosses the line in my opinion. Could I be wrong? It's possible but even so, is this link really worth the trouble and money?

A point in favor of the directory: I went to a random page (http://www.web-directory-australia.info/list-257--20-10.htm) and then checked in OSE to see if the first link was visible. It did show in OSE as a followed link.

[DROIDSTERS]

I agree with Ryan, if you look at the directory, it also doesn't rank well for its targeted keywords and the deeper pages have little Page authority and will probably pass minimal juice.

[MarcLevy]

Hi, without looking directly at the directory in question I am going to say MAYBE.

If the directory in question does not charge for links, but charges for the 'review process' (like BOTW for instance) then there maybe some value for you. However, this means you may pay for the review and not end up getting a link if you do not pass the approval process. As Ryan said above, if you are straight paying for the listing, then it is probably not worthwhile.

Other things to take into consideration:

• Does the directory have a strong domain authority?
• Is the directory relevant or is it just another 'do it all' directory?
• What category do you want to place your listing in and is that category or page indexed?
  (i think Dr Pete discusses it here: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/wheres-the-love-dmoz)

Now, after taking a quick look at your specific directory I am going to disagree with the straight 'No' in the answer from Ryan. Here is why:

• If your site is to do with Australia or based there then this maybe worthwhile to you
• The site has an ok back-link profile in terms of numbers (I have not looked at the quality of the links, I would do a quick review of the top links in OSE if I were you)
• Their 'about' page and 'Submission Info' looks pretty legit/solid. Although I am not sure about the 'Review Fee is refundable, if your site will not get accepted'

Choosing whether or not to take a link on this site really depends on your site and your exact situation. If the site is fairly new, in or about australia and you are struggling to get links, then this maybe an ok place to start. It also depends on your budget and time (you maybe able to afford better more legit directories, or maybe your time and money can be better spent on other link building tactics).

If I were small and looking for quick, easy initial links for my Australian site then this directory would be an option for me.

[RyanKent]

No.

Don't pay for directory links. Doing such is considered "black-hat" SEO.

Search engines are multi-billion dollar companies. They are pretty smart. If they are already aware this directory sells links then they will discount the links so they do not have value. If they are not aware, then at whatever time they learn about this particular site, they will take that action and possible further action against your site.

Paid directory links add minimal value to your site. Do any users really actually visit the directory, see the link and say to themselves "that sounds like a good site, let me go check it out!" That happens rarely or never.

Build links as if search engines didn't exist. Build links that users will find and want to use.