Hi Glenn
Like Stuart, the issue I see with directories is that there are so many and unless you keep your own database of all the ones you have registered with, many of the listings will soon be out of date.
Very few of the directories I see touting for you to register actually give any details about how they are going to market the directory, get the name out there and attract visitors to the site. At least with a hard copy directory, you get a feel for the distribution, both geographic area and volume and possibly by sector.
I think the directories see it as an easy way to make money - you get people to register - you charge them a fee (for certain services perhaps) and just wait for all the visitors to come in. Then with the volume of visitors and the business every one does, all registered businesses will reregister each year and onward and upward goes the directory.
The bit everyone seems to forget is the cost, time and effort, in getting the directory to be used by punters. My guess is that this needs a fairly large budget - the marketing people on the forum could tell you more about this.
My gut feel is that it is easier to become a directory specialising in a particular geographic area or industry sector, that it is to be a general, national/international directory. Then the marketing can be focused. If you became the directory for the Chichester area, you could then begin to expand the geographic coverage.
Anyway, just some thoughts
Regards
Graham
