A List of Free and Low-Cost Internet Directories

by Craig Mazur - Copyright 2004-2005 - All rights reserved

March 19, 2004            Updated: March 29, 2005

The Web has a large number of both free directories and low-cost directories that can help drive additional traffic to your site. But these directories can serve a purpose beyond the traffic they send your way. Some directories, such as The Open Directory Project (DMOZ), are used as seed databases for Google™ and other search engines. Obtaining a listing in The Open Directory Project assures that your site will be listed in several major search engines and directories.

The majority of free directories do not act as seed databases for other directories and search engines, and while they do help drive traffic to your site, they serve another purpose. Every "quality" link to a site adds to the link popularity factor for the site and helps boost rankings in many popular search engines. Link popularity is a major component in Google's PageRank™ technology. A high PageRank helps raise a site's rankings in Google. You can learn more about PageRank here:

           Our Search: Google Technology

If you want to see the PageRank rating for your Web pages, you can download the Google toolbar here:

           Google Toolbar

The Google Toolbar includes several other useful features, including a pop-up blocker that is easy to turn on and off. The instructions are simple, but make sure you read them carefully. If you want to use the PageRank indicator, you must select "Enable advanced features" during the installation.

I mentioned "quality" links earlier because the source of the link is important. Links from sites in related industries and links from sites with a high PageRank do add value to your own PageRank factor. These can be links from customers, suppliers, manufacturers and also directories that include categories for your type of business. Industry-specific directories can provide a great boost.

There are also links from "bad neighborhoods" that at best may have no effect on your PageRank, or at worst may penalize your site. Bad neighborhoods are typically sites that contain nothing more than links to other sites and do not contain content or useful information. This type of site is called a link farm because its only purpose is to attempt to artificially raise link popularity, which Google views as cheating or "spamming".

How to tell the difference between a link farm and a legitimate directory

As mentioned earlier, a link farm serves no purpose other than to attempt to artificially raise a site's link popularity. Link farms typically contain no information other than links--no content, no information, nothing of any informational value to a searcher. Link farms make no attempt to qualify a link. You submit your link, and perhaps the name of your site, and your link is listed.

Directories, on the other hand, normally require that you select an appropriate category for your listing and provide a brief description of what your site offers. If you can't find an appropriate category, search for one of your competitors or another company in your industry. Editors that are either volunteers or employees of the directory will view your site to make sure that your category selection and description are accurate. Inaccuracies result in either a disqualification or a rewording of your description and possible placement in a category other than the one you selected. It therefore is important to read the rules for each directory before you submit your site.

Most directories charge a small annual or a one-time fee to list your site. This is called an express inclusion, an express submission, or a paid inclusion. Two caveats: First, paying a fee does not necessarily guarantee any particular rank position. Second, most fees are non-refundable and directories do not guarantee that your site will be listed, even if you pay a submission fee. Nonetheless, If you read and follow each directory's guidelines, the chances of your site being rejected are very small.

Many directories do accept site submissions at no charge, but it can sometimes take months to get listed. If you want to start driving traffic to your site as soon as is possible, it's best to pay the fee. Several directories accept PayPal as a payment method, so if you feel uncomfortable giving an online company your credit card information, this might be a better option for you.

The following is a list of some of the free and low-cost directories that I've found, along with a brief description of their nature. These directories are all fairly popular and can add value to your marketing program. Just make sure you spend some time reading their rules and make your own judgement as to the value they might provide. If you know of other directories that you feel are worthwhile and should be included in out list, just send the information to us at

and I will investigate it for possible inclusion on this list.

Free and Low-Cost Directories

Best Sources Online SEO Friendly Web Directory
One of the newer directories that offers free and low-cost site submission.

AllFreeThings.com
A very nice free directory. All you need is something free to offer people to quality for a link.

BusinessSeek.biz
A very well-organized directory that offers free listings, Sponsored Listings (annual or semi-annual fee) and 48 Hour Fast Inclusion ($10) listings.

DMOZ - The Open Directory Project
DMOZ is one of the most important directories to get listed in, and one of the most difficult. DMOZ has a 100% volunteer editor staff. Due to association the Open Directory Project has with Google and other search engines and directories, and the fact that submissions are free, DMOZ also experiences the highest submission rate of all directories. Put this all together and you will understand why it typically takes six months to two years to obtain a DMOZ listing. Nonetheless, it's worthwhile to submit your site as soon as it is up and running.

DesignFirms.org
A good example of an industry-specific directory. The Design Firms Directory has categories for graphic designers, Web designers, programmers, search engine optimization, Web hosting and other services related to Internet development. They have a wide range of programs ranging from free listings (with a reciprocal link) to monthly and annual paid listings. Their paid services are reasonably priced and effective for driving traffic to your site.

eMarketing Association
The eMarketing Association runs an industry-specific directory that targets marketing firms. The eMarketing Association offers free listings for members along with a range of e-marketing courses. They also offer paid inclusions in their directory for non-members. This directory appears to have a particularly high PageRank, which could be beneficial.

Gigablast
Gigablast is turning into a full-fledged directory that has indexed over 250,000,000 Web pages. They tout that their search results are concept-driven, which means a searcher can ask a question and the results include conceptually-related pages. Submission is free, but they appear to frequently disable the submission page, so you may have to try several times to submit your site.

Gimpsy
Gimpsy offers a Free Submission option, plus a Site Promotion option for a one-time $40 fee. According to information on the site, it takes up to two months for a free listing, but the Site Promotion option will get a site review and listing decision within 72 hours. Gimpsy does offer a partial refund if your site is rejected.

GoGuides
GoGuides offers an Express Review Service for $39.99 which guarantees listing in two business days.

Hot vs. Not
Free with reciprocal link. Interesting submission process. Immediate inclusion.

Joe Ant
Joe Ant has an unusual name and a responsive team of editors. For a one-time $39.95 Speed Pass fee, Joe Ant editors will review your site and list it in a few days.

Kwik Goblin Web Directory
Free submission. Can submit up to five pages to different categories.

Phoenix Web Designers Directory
The Phoenix Web Designers Directory is a good example of a local industry-specific directory. Directories of this type are found for many industries in most major cities. At the time of this writing, Phoenix Web Designers is offering free listings for a range of advertising options. They do require a reciprocal link in order to take advantage of the free listing opportunity.

Web-Beacon
Another relatively new directory. Web-Beacon offers a 2-day Express review for $39.99 and a Free Submission option if you agree to become an editor, which they call a Web-Beacon Guide. If you are approved as a Web-Beacon Guide, you can submit sites for free.

Web Savvy
Web Savvy has been around for a few years as a Webmaster directory. They recently decided to transform themselves into a general Internet directory. At the time of this writing, a Web Savvy submission appears to be completely free.

Web World
Web World has a $25 Premium Submission with a guaranteed review in 7 days, and a Free Basic Submission that could take 6 to 8 weeks for a review.

Zeal
Zeal is community-oriented directory that allows members to submit sites. It is divided between commercial and non-commercial directory listings. I don't know very much about Zeal, but I have heard that it is popular.

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