Does web directories help in getting free traffic?

Web directories are helpful for backlinks. Back links are helpful for keywords ranking. When your keywords will ranked your site will also ranked. When your site is no.1 than people must click on your site and traffic will also increase.

Directory submissions will give you keyword ranking. When keyword is in google's first page then automatically your website traffic will increase if related searches will came to your website.

Some directories are also indirect traffic sources in that they provide valuable backlinks that help boost search engine ranking, search traffic from the right search keyword can make high sales conversion rates. Unfortunately the great majority of directories are junk, I have seen file servers hosting 50 directories, probably withe the same owner, perhaps a paid directory submission service. There are a handful of truly powerful directories, like the free human reviewed http://dmoz.com/ directory trusted by search engines as a source of legitimate sites, there are some respected paid directories as well, Yahoo's own directory had been historically a valuable listing, but te $299/yr review fee may not pay off like it once did. Une general rule in SEO, the easier a link is to get, the less valuable it tends to be, those directories that accept all submissions without review or that automated software can apply for are likely to be lousy traffic sources.