d) Directories, a small number of directories have a strong effect on SERP ( Search Engine Results Placement ) of a site. These are :

i) Dmoz ii) Yahoo iii) Gimpsy iv) Business.com v) Joeant vi) Allthebizz

e) Its all relative to popularity of your choosen keyphrase and strength of competition. The better your content and more links your site has sooner it will reach top.

f) Be Patient - rankings are not built in a day, it takes most sites 6 months to reach their potential.

The content of page links comes from is also an important consideration, as are absolute number of links. The more out-going links, less valuable is benefit passed on.

Avoid links pages if you can, Google is getting better and better at spotting lists of links.

Directories

Getting a listing in directories is important but only a few are really valuable.

The importance ones, being:-

Dmoz – A free directory but very slow to be updated by its human editors, powers around 250 search services.

Yahoo – Increasingly challenging Google. JoeAnt Gimpsy Business.com Allthebizz.com Skaffe

Put it to work

You now know what it takes, difficult part now begins, you have take a good look at quality of your current content, and start building your links. How long it takes to get good SERPS will depend on how competitive your chosen phrases are.

If you follow my advice here, you will get there; it takes time, and be patient it will work.

I wish you best of luck, if you want advice then get in touch.