Can paid link directory succeed?

I have one idling link directory domain, no PR, no content (parked) - practically no nothing but indexed on google - and I'm wondering does it make any sense to build that one? If I plan to make it paid link directory (with free/free recip) then could that net me anything even on a monthly scale? I understand that it's not a money maker per se, but everything would be better that have it idle... I know that I'm easily 20 years too late, but any chance nowadays?

If someone wants to take it up for work, I could provide JV opportunity with hosting. No scripts on me now, so I guess it would require linke $20-30 initial investment. For a little I think I can part with the domain also, it's from Namecheap.

Got it as one of those $0.99 sales long ago, so I'll just WTA it before it expires if nothing else works

Install phpld and use paid and free recipr. link feature. No bull shit like adsense and add your site to some webdirectories. You will picked up by spammers uhhhhm webmasters and some of them will buy your links. Keep the template/design low in bytes (you don't pay hosting for the spammers). 1-2 hours work and you are done. Look 1 time a week and you are done. Don't expect much money but you will not loose.


I have 1 running (free version and free design) started 2007 and still making money. I only approve the paid links within 24 hours, the recipro. links when i want (3000+ waiting for approval ;-) (No SEO or advertising)

flann said:

No bull shit like adsense and add your site to some webdirectories.

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I'm working with AdWords on much larger scale projects, so I don't want to do anything to help Google ban me - so no AdSense for sure

I have 1 running (free version and free design) started 2007 and still making money. I only approve the paid links within 24 hours, the recipro. links when i want (3000+ waiting for approval ;-) (No SEO or advertising)

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I think I did try the free phpld some time back, but it was a mess. So I guess I'd just be better off to purchase the new one for $30, right? It's not a big investment by any means, so might as well go for it.

I recently went legit and paid for the license for 3 of my phpld directories. I have directories since 2009 so I know a little about this biz.
Definitely, if you take some time to carefully setup your directory (clean, custom banner, original description on the front page, a reasonable price for paid links, etc), and if you manage to get it listed in as many places where directories are listed, it will make a you a profit. My worst directory still makes me $50-$80/year in profit.

Paid directories do make money for the long haul. I've seen every 1 or 2 new directories popping up on sites like directory critic. If you are able to get a decent pagerank, the reciprocal free linking so take care of itself. Average regular paid link for a PR1/PR2 is somewhere like between $5 - $10 and featured link around $15, higher the PR and age of domain better the chances of making more. More than 50% of the paid directories are quite shitty but if you take good care of it and promote it well, there is some nice passive money to be made out of it.

seoguy81 said:

Paid directories do make money for the long haul. I've seen every 1 or 2 new directories popping up on sites like directory critic. If you are able to get a decent pagerank, the reciprocal free linking so take care of itself. Average regular paid link for a PR1/PR2 is somewhere like between $5 - $10 and featured link around $15, higher the PR and age of domain better the chances of making more. More than 50% of the paid directories are quite shitty but if you take good care of it and promote it well, there is some nice passive money to be made out of it.

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Exactly, directory PR is a very important aspect, it can be built in time and will bring benefits in the long run. This will increase trust for both webmaster who might list your site and for visitors of your directory - which are possible clients.

One model that is not doing as well now is big directory networks where you get "100 links for $10". That actually hasn't worked for a long time, and this is where all the unnatural link messages from google mostly come from. What happened was the directory industry got a bad name because of the prevalence of this failing tactic.

However, getting links in well maintained directories still helps in SEO, and there are people who still have a strong a business and have for years. You just have to make a quality directory, and that takes time. A niche or regional directory takes less time.

We just released phpLD 5 and it has new features for making money like Picture Links, Geo Widgets, Articles, Videos, and Coupons. You probably wouldn't want to try to do all those at once!

P.S. Thank you thetraveller