Creating a directory is one way of making money on the internet today. Good marketing and search engine optimization is needed. But with recent directories being developed and daily pop-up of new directories especially paid directories. Here are some tips you might consider before buying or paying in order for your links to be up.

1. Check the site if index in most search engines like google, yahoo and directory. Make sure that the site is not banned on those search engines.

2. Check whois data of the domain. Look at the expiration date of the domain. Most of the directories you pay have registered their domain only on one (1) year, yet have the option to be listed permanent. Oh, I think there is no error there or question on it, since permanent means your site will there only until the domain or site is up. And put it this way, once the domain expired your link also expired.  Regarding DP comments: ” I am not forcing directory owners to register their domains for a decade but a plan or information to visitors or users that the domain will be renewed annually or so”

3. Check the options of payment in terms of time the your link will be up. Will it be 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year or permanent?

4. Check also the payment terms, was it a subscription or one (1) time payment. Maybe you will wonder why you are charge after a month or every 3 months.

5. Check if the administrator of the site or directory can easily be contacted. Support for paid directories is a must since you paying on the listing. Every cent you spend is important.

6. On SEO point of view, you may also consider your listing url is on a seo friendly link not having a session id’s on the listing.

7. You might want also to consider the ease of submission and how the owner promotes his or her directory.

8. Pagerank is still important in these days paid directory but not necessarily. Quality directory is what the most important aspect in choosing one. But if you are looking for pagerank directory to paid to, don’t look only on the pagerank of the homepage, look also on the pagerank on the sub-pages espcially the category of your site you want your link to be in.

9. Check if the directory is just like a link farm. This might not benefit you but hurt you on the long run.

10. Check if the link have “no follow” attribute. If the link have this attribute, better not to buy on them.

This tips doesn’t apply only on directories but also on sites you plan to buy your link. After you have bought your link make sure you have the list of domains or site you have bought links into to track if your site is still listed. We don’t know if your site if still listed or not or remove by the admin. I am telling all but at least we should be wary and careful because everything can happen when you are not watching.