Any business directory owners?

[parcelsplease]

Hi There

Are there any business directories out there that will give me a free listing, and not make it conditional to receiving a 40minute sales call about upgrading to priority listings.

I have a new website and am looking to get the search results on the domain name filled. (At the moment, a search on the domain name returns us, and then the most bizarre collection of random websites).

Could you post links here please.

Much Appreciated.

 

[Frantic Fish]

Some of those that will pester you to upgrade are unfortunately well worth being in. Many big directories are seen as 'authority' sites by Google and being listed in them is pretty much vital. It's worth talking to the rep because they can sometimes help you with the listing; just make it clear you don't currently have the budget for paid listings.

Important ones that won't pester you : BizWiki, Brownbook, DMOZ, Freeindex, HotFrog, Sheriff Ratings, Smile Local, UFindUs

Ones that will : InfoServe, Qype, Thomson Local, Touch Local, Yell

 

[WPsites]

I don't believe for one second that UFindUs don't give sales calls to free listings. From the outset that is what their directory was setup to do and that's why they have a sizeable telesales operation in Lancaster.

Any directory with its own sponsored/featured listings (excluding Google ads and Yahoo/overture ads) will contact you either via email or phone to sell you a sponsored listing.

There is no requirement to speak to them for more than a few minutes, its just a minor inconvenience. You get nothing for free in this life.

 

[TechFox]

I am setting up a free directory for web designers, graphic designers and web hosts. I also have a directory for people who upgrade, repair etc computers in situ.

 

[Frantic Fish]

They used to have a very aggressive sales strategy. Perhaps it's changed since they were sold to BT. I've listed a few sites with them in the last 18 months and haven't been called yet.

 

[eventdomain]

Directories..... Like any biz - they are a business, must make a profit, and will cold-call to sell enhanced stuff. Also don't forget that when accepting/taking a listing - you ARE on someone's web space and thus cannot expect a totally free ride - like anything, if you want something, then it's going to cost. You want shoes or a car, you have to pay for them.

The very fact that directories offer a freebie, just shows they want to help, and value the customer. They don't have to give away their space for free at all, they do it to build relationships which are helpful to both sides, and there's nothing wrong with that.

We use a directory promotion service ourselves, its a great help in getting us noticed and we'll be buying an enhanced service asap! It's only going to cost us £40, but consider that a great deal, bcos of what we'll get from it.

 

[UKSBD]

Hi There

Are there any business directories out there that will give me a free listing, and not make it conditional to receiving a 40minute sales call about upgrading to priority listings.

You'll probably find that whichever directory you submit to (if popular)
will result in you getting calls, not necessarily from that directory though.

I have big problems with other directories, marketing companies, so called
google resellers, etc. going through my latest listings and cold calling
people. I even had one lot using my name and telling people I had told
them to ring.

I sometimes set up fake listings to see what happens, one time I set one
up and had a call within 5 minutes and 3 more calls within the next 25.

It has got so bad that I no longer automatically display numbers, only
after I have warned people to expect the calls.

 

[teresha]

Hi There

Are there any business directories out there that will give me a free listing, and not make it conditional to receiving a 40minute sales call about upgrading to priority listings.

I have a new website and am looking to get the search results on the domain name filled. (At the moment, a search on the domain name returns us, and then the most bizarre collection of random websites).

Could you post links here please.

Much Appreciated.

Hi. As mentioned, Bizwiki won't call you! Definitely, never! If you haven't already submitted your company to Bizwiki UK please go ahead. We're currently running on a 2-4 day lead time for approvals so you should see your listing appear on Bizwiki in a few days and on the other important sites we power within a week following approval. If you have any issues give me a shout.

 

[streetslocal]

We wont cold call you.
Although a paid for listing does offer more benefits

 

[eventdomain]

Bizwiki looks nice, but its another in a long line of b2b directories, in an already over-saturated market.

The 'anyone can edit' feature has been done already by www.brownbook.net so is this breaking new ground here :|

As an avid portal user, I like to see and use innovitive things, and unfortunately I won't be using this - heck I don't even use Yell.com anymore, nor Google, nor Hotbot or Webcrawler bcos they don't offer anything new

'Nice looking' directories just aren't enough anymore, and people aren't getting the message They must deliver something unique about them for any chance of success.