If you were going to hire someone to optimize your site (say, for example, a directory), what would be a fair price?

There are plenty of free directories, but if you want to pay for the service of them sponsoring you I would say around $10/ month is a good price.

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If you are hiring someone for the SEO service, then make sure that you can select the keywords yourself.

are you looking for seo i can provide my services to you