Who can guess why directories don't work?

[AlexandraRE]

I have a couple ideas. Ever research a car online before going to buy it? Ever try to research a car and only get a list of makes and models? How would you feel knowing the only way you could buy a car was by calling the annonymous phone number beside the name of an unknown vehicle? Uncomfortable. Sweaty even. Would you keep trying? Or just use the car your grandma has been aching to get rid of?

And I've heard the argument before that 'people don't look online for real estate services', they look online for real estate. Yet these wizards don't take a minute to think why. The new generation of home buyers and frequent Internet users research everything from pots and pans to dvds. Ever think that most people don't search for real estate services online because the only places to look are garbage directories? Even better - try Google and you'll geta list of websites for ever self-righteous realtor within 20 miles.

[spanishproperty]

It is a valid point that you have added but sometimes these directories do spit out good results for your keyword terms, and people that are not up to speed with the web will click on anything that looks like what they are looking for.

We also use these directories as a form of linking, acquiring one way links which lots of webmasters do.

For me, directories are a waste of time and I would never use to find a product that I was looking for online.

[agentstealth.com]

Directories themselves might very seldom provide you will a transaction but they can be useful for providing your site and services some PageRank.

[Malok]

Going to sound like a Doctor speaking about McDonald's, but...


I think as long as its part of a balanced marketing effort, and not exclusive, that its fine. :)

[HomeSurfer]

Ever research a car online before going to buy it?
Uh, yeah. Mostly eliminating cars I didn't want to buy. Then I got in my car, went to one of the two closest dealers and test drove the car to see if it lived up to expectations -- and bought it. Had to wait a month for it to come in because it was brand new at the time.

Then I took it to my mechanic and customized it.

Now I drive it.