If you, your web design company or your SEO company are having a tough time deciding what directories to submit your website to then keep reading. I’m sure you don’t want to waist money and I know you don’t want to get penalized or banned from Google. To begin…yes, buying links are a direct violation of Google’s Webmaster Guidelines and a violation could cause your website to be dropped in the search results. So, I have compiled a list of the top 9 free and paid directories that are Google approved.

Before scrolling down to all the directories, play the video of Matt Cutts, (Head of Google’s web spam team) talking about what to look for when submitting to directories. (This is what I mean by “Google approved”)

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1. Open Directory Project (DMOZ)

Cost: Free

DMOZ is maintained by volunteer editors and has strict guidelines and criteria all websites must meet before being accepted. Also, the listings in Google’s directory (http://www.google.com/dirhp) are pulled directly from DMOZ.  Need I say more.

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2. Yahoo Directory

Cost: $299.00 per year

The Yahoo Directory is a human edited directory comparable in size to DMOZ.  The reason this directory is so highly regarded is because they have very strict submission guidelines.  In fact, the $299.00 is just to get their editors to review and respond to you.  It DOES NOT guarantee your submission. So, if you are not accepted you do not get your money back.  If you’re worried, don’t be. Just follow the Yahoo Guidelines before submitting.

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3. Best of the Web (BOTW)

Cost: $99 per year or $299.00 one time fee

Best of the Web has been around since 1994. Upon submission your website will be reviewed in 3 days but does not guarantee your website will be accepted, just a review and response. NO REFUNDS. Criteria for Submission

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4. Business.com

Cost: $299.00 per year

Business.com has 40 million websites and 8+ million unique visitors per month.  Business.com is not only a good backward link but also a good source of traffic. They are very strict and don’t accept Gambling sites, adult sites, multi-level marketing sites and retail tobacco sites.  Here are their submission guidelines.  Read them before you submit.  There are no refunds.

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5. Joeant.com

Cost: $39.00 one time fee

JoeAnt is edited by humans and has strict guidelines and criteria all websites must meet before being accepted.  http://www.joeant.com/guidelines.html

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6. Jayde.com

Cost: Free

Jayde.com is edited by humans and has strict guidelines and criteria all websites must meet before being accepted.

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7. Librarian’s Internet Index

Cost: Free

This site is very hard to get into. They do not accept sites that are strictly commercial with no freely-accessible information. This site is edited by humans.

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8. GoGuides.org

Cost: $69.99

This directory is edited by humans and has strict guidelines.  But if you’re rejected you get your money back.  Try it. It only takes about 24 hours to get your response.

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9. Starting Point

Cost: $99 one time fee

This directory is edited by humans and has strict guidelines.  All rejections are NON Refundable.