A web directory is basically a series of webpages, categorizing links to other webpages. You might associate a web directory to your local yellow pages. There are many web directories on the internet, the most well known ones being provided by Google, Yahoo, and Lycos.
Submission to online directories still works. Contrary to the widespread rant that directories are dead, they are not. Good directories can still help you rank in Google; you just have to watch for signs of quality. You can still make a website rank for relatively competitive three-keyword-long terms with directory submissions.
One of the best signs of quality is whether a directory is found in search results. If it is, especially on Google, take it as a good sign. It's usually worth the money to buy a link from that directory.
- Don't submit to too many directories too fast. Space it out over several months.
- Avoid free directories.
Traffic & Website Promotion
Another benefit of the directory submission is the promotion of your website. In the web directories, the websites are arranged categorically and it is very easier for the users to reach a website in a directory, unlike the search engines in which the websites are not arranged categorically.
There are different types of the web directories based on the inclusion.
• Free Submissions
In the free inclusion, there are no charges for review and inclusion.
• Paid Submissions
In the paid submissions, the site owners have to pay a fee for review and inclusion.
Reciprocal Link
In the Reciprocal inclusions, a link back to the web directory is required in order to get listed in web directory.
• No Follow
In this type of inclusion there is a rel=”nofollow” attribute associated with the link. Search engines do not follow the “nofollow” links.
• Featured Links
In the featured inclusions, the link is given a premium position in the directory normally at the top of the page.
How Web Directories Can Help You
There are so many factors that search engines use to rank a website. The process of search engine optimization is mainly divided into the following two types.
On-Page Optimization
It includes using the unique Title, Meta tags, H1 heading, Image ALT tag, inner linking and content optimization.
Off-Page Optimization
The off-page optimization mainly includes getting the back links from high PR and relevant websites and directory submission is one of the most important ways to get back links to your websites.
With little research on internet you can find a lot of free web directories. The regular and consistent inclusion of your website in the web directories results in improving the PR and ranking of your website in the search engines.Before submitting your website in the web directories, you need to carefully follow the guidelines of the web directories. If you do not follow the guidelines then your website will be banned or permanently removed from the web directories.
One important thing that you must know is that you not only need to submit the home page of your website but also inner pages of your website in the web directories.The back links from the web directories also help your web pages get out of the supplemental index of Google. Supplemental index is just like a recycle bin and Google put the orphan pages in the supplemental index.
The pages in the Google’s supplemental index do not generate any traffic. The directory submission is the best way to get your pages out of it.The search engine spiders send out the spiders to the links in the directory pages. This will make the search engine spiders to visit your website and add your website’s pages in the search engines.
What About Directory Submission Software?
There are many versions of automated directory submission software out there. Using directory submission software can make the submission process faster, but there are some disadvantages in doing this. For example, some web directories can track if submission software was used when someone submits to their directory and they will not accept the submission because they have in their terms not to use automated software like that. Also, doing submissions that quickly will not appear as natural to search engines when they see hundreds of new links at once. If you feel like you really want to speed up the process then we recommend paying a directory submission service to help you. They will do directory submissions by hand to as many directories as you want.
What steps did you take before opening your directory?
- When I started new directories I:
- Created unique category structures
- Got a custom design
- Added unique features
- Added any mods needed
- Put aside money for promotion
Types and Best Directories
Business directory which charges a fee for review and operates as a Pay per click search engine.
SEO friendly web directory:Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume or quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via "natural" or un-paid ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results as opposed to search engine marketing (SEM) which deals with paid inclusion
General high quality directories like DMOZ and Yahoo Directory still pass value to websites. Yahoo costs $299, but it's still a good buy.
- DMOZ
- Yahoo Directory
- Librarians Internet Index
- Business.com
- GoGuides
- JoeAnt
- Skaffe
DMOZ Directory
The Open Directory project is a free directory run by volunteers and enthusiasts. No editor is obliged to submit or review your website. DMOZ is one of the highest quality directories on the web, so make sure you build up your site a little before submitting, because it will go easier for you if you do.
Though DMOZ is free, there are some editors who accept "bribes" and may list a site for a fee. The danger is that the site may be removed by other, more authoritative members, so several hundred bucks can go to waste. If you intend to do this, watch out for quality flags.
The Yahoo Directory costs $299 per year. You don't need to submit to it to show up in Yahoo search results, but your ranking will go up on Yahoo if you do. Google also trusts the Yahoo Directory.
Some websites may get accepted for free, but those have to be non-commercial.
Yahoo sorts its listings by link popularity instead of alphabetically. If a category has 200 sites, then the ones with the most links will show up at the top. If you have few links, it will take some time before your site shows up at the top.
Yahoo Directory editors have a reputation for being picky as to whom they submit, but with recent Yahoo financial troubles they may loosen up and accept anyone who pays. Also keep in mind that Yahoo may still end up being purchased by Microsoft, despite all the drama over the past year and more, so a link from the Yahoo Directory is worth the price.
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