The answer to that question is yes and no.
Paying doesn’t mean you will get a search engine benefit or traffic for that matter. Getting a free listing doesn’t mean that link is worthless.
I think that when you submit to directories, money should not be an issue.
Look at the directories or take people\s recommendation.
I personally recommend every single directory in my
Digitalpoint Signature.
I also highly recommend submitting to directories featured on the first pages of the
Google results for directorycontest.com.
You should also take a look at the
Searchfeature.com Directory of Web Directories.
Bookmark all of those sources and pass them on.
More than anything I recommend Directories allowing deeplinks like my own directory, the one and only Mike Dammann Web Directory which requires good and unique content in order for a page to get included, but won’t differenciate if it’s a homepage or a 3rd subfolder on a subdomain name.

See the previous entry for a list of good quality directories allowing deeplinks.

What are truly free directories?
Truly free directories are directories without any requirements or restrictions other than the submission guidelines which won’t include
- a need to reciprocate
- a need to pay
- a no follow attribute to keep the search engines from spidering your link and thereby preventing you from getting the search engine benefit that you might want.
I also recommend
Directories which allow deeplinks.
I have a
List of Truly free Directories here.
If you want to get all the benefits without having to pay or reciprocate, I recommend those.
I also recommend

for Furniture For Sale.
If you have any, please let me know here

Mike

Great job Romow has just outranked the official homepage

I have added a support forum for the Mike Dammann Web Directory since we currently have a couple of specials going on.
If you have any questions regarding a submission or requirement to get listed, please ask questions there.

Mike

I want to invite you to do a directory exchange or link exchange with my Costa Rica Directory. The site is not done yet, but I want to get some good sites to exchange listings with me now. I will promote it heavliy.

I have added a section called Directory Blogs on Frog Engine. If you own one, submit it there. Please add this one to your directory as well

Mike

For link exchange, 3 way. Good sites only. Contact me thru this blog if you have one

The url to add is http://www.furnitureforsale.com with the title “Furniture Store”. You can also blog about it.

Any links from good sites will do, and in exchange I can give you good listings on any of my Web Directories for now.

Here are the results as I see them.

In case you have missed the other entry, I am accepting free submissions of blogs in the Mike Dammann Web Directory.
Even if I know you from forums and don’t like you as a person, if your blog is good, it WILL be added!
Simply go to the Blogs section and find the most appropriate category, otherwise just submit to the main category and I will add categories and subcategories as new submissions require it.
When you submit:
- Use the name of your blog in the title. No keyword stuff. If your blog is called “Mike’s Adventures in Costa Rica”, don’t give me the “Cheap Costa Rica Airline Tickets” crap
- Try to come up with a unique description, if you have time. Don’t cut and paste the same lame stuff you use to submit to every directory. You have 2-4 sentences to convince visitors that your blog is worth reading. Give them a taste of your writing skills and make it count!
- Click on regular listings and when it takes you to the paypal page, simply close the window.
- Mention this offer on forums or wherever bloggers are. Tell your friends about it. I want to build the best resource for blogs ever. Absolutely no made for adsense stuff or blogs without a purpose.

Thanks and Happy Turkey Day again

Mike

P.S.: If you have any questions or comments, please visit the new Mike Dammann Web Directory Support Forum.