What makes web directories so appealing?

[Submerge]

This is probably one of my unknown questions that I'm looking for an answer, what makes a web directory so appealing to webmasters? I don't mean by using them, but creating a web directory.

Do they generate that much traffic? Because from what I've seen, it takes good work to start a web submission directory. And a lot of them offer nothing new, so I don't think they offer that much revenue.

Maybe someone who runs a directory can answer this. But what's so appealing for starting a web directory?

[NetHoster]

What we feel is so appealing about running a directory, is that they rank well in the search engines, our site are crawled well, the quality ratio is high, and we can generate good editorial value.

[Eli]

Maybe because most are free to submit too, people like free stuff. You were talking about people liking web directories, not the owners, right?

[Submerge]

Maybe because most are free to submit too, people like free stuff. You were talking about people liking web directories, not the owners, right?

No, I was referring to the owner point of view.

[Dark]

1. Easy to advertise. - There's millions of forums were you can advertise your directory.
2. Software is cheap. - There's many available versions and they are all reasonably cheap.
3. Easy to modify. - Simple and easy to modify, anyone can do it. (Or if you're lazy like me, pay someone to do it).
4. Great for passive income. - You can be sleeping and get 10 paid submissions.