ired?

[Carolina]

So it's time for our annual renewal over at the ired directory. We've been on there for many years, as a basic $25 listing. With things changing so rapidly, however, I wonder if it's still worth it.

I'm more concerned about it hurting us, rather than the $25 to continue to be listed.

The same goes for Real Estate Pros.

Thoughts?

[waynelong]

The things I have read seem to indicate that paid directories - if good quality and selective - are not a problem for big G as the pay is for someone to administer the directory and not considered a "paid link" as such.

I would be interested in everyone's take on this as I will have several coming up for renewal as well.

[Max]

It's hard so say... I think if it appears as a backlink in your webmaster central account - it should be well worth of $25/yr. Also, if you can't find it as backlink, but it drives you some traffic - I would keep it as well.

[bigtoe]

Even if the big g comes down hard on directories (huff & puff) it won't hurt those in the directory. If they penalized participants then your competitor could put you in a bunch of directories.

[Carolina]

On a related note, we received a 'cease & desist' letter from a law firm about our link and relationship with a another site that we had a logo and link to on our homepage. Understand that we only ever had about 5 logos to directories on our home page at any given time, and they were all recommended by AA or other AA users in their forums. I didn't just go out there willy nilly and hunt down links. Apparently they've infringed upon the trademarked word spelled:
are
eee
ell
oh
experts
And now their pitbull lawyers are apparently contacting every person in the directory to cut it out. I won't name the company bringing the suit against the are eee ell oh-experts site.
So yesterday I removed the link and had to ask them to remove us from the directory, or they be suin' our butts.
They were kind enough to include paperwork from a prior (succesful) suit to prove that they weren't kidding.

[bigtoe]

I got the same letter but I don't have a link on my site so I don't know what I did wrong.

[Max]

...well, the full blown discussion is going at real estate webmasters forum
http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/thread18896.html for those that need more into on this one...

[Mike Taylor]

Definitely visit REW discussion on this. Lots of good insight and input from the owner of the site and others as well.

[Cleo]

Since being new I have never considered paying to be in a directory, so I would love to hear more regarding which paid directory you guys are using.
Since I am overseas, do I need to find different directories than the ones you use in the US?

[Don Price REALTOR]

I'm sorry I have missed this thread for so long and back to the original question.

IRED has been around for a looong time, I have known the owners through another venue, had drinks and many conversations with Becky Swan and others there and can honestly say they are the real deal.

I would always recommend being there, they are in my top 3-5 picks and worth every penny.

They provide great information to consumers, Realtors as well as other occupations.

Just as if I were to describe our hosts here, I can't say enough superlatives about them.

Stay with IRED, if you're not there then you need to be.