And directories do help!

I read a few times that to submit a site in directories doesn't bring anything SEO wise and that it harms more than it helps. I don't agree with that thought I do agree that you should be careful to which directory not submit your site.

Here is an article about the reasons why you should keep make use of directories:

Most website owners fail to differentiate between a directory and search engine, failure to do so has resulted in failure to harness the powers of Internet directory effectively.

Search engine uses the spiders - (an automated software program) to locate and collect data from web pages for inclusion in a search engine’s database and to follow links to find new pages on the World Wide Web. While directories depends on human editors, who in most cases examine every single new listing before they are added to their directory. Most major search engines these days use links from human edited directory to measure the quality of the site they index. That is why you should place emphasis on the type of website or directory you list to and how to do that effectively.

Click here to read more.