Directory submission is one of the 8 key elements to a complete content syndication process and should be part of your e-Marketing strategy. Directory submission will help you improve your search engine ranking. Being listed in directories affects the way the majority of search engines such as Google, Yahoo sees you. Search engines use a theoretical algorithm that define your relation to other website in your category. Your presence on those listing will give you a competitive edge over your competition.
Directory submission is important but might be costly. There are many free directory submission sites, but you will need to have a closer look at what they offer, improper directory might harm you instead of support you. When choosing a directory submission service, choose wisely. Know what they offer and define your strategy. Use directory submission if you have the budget for it and are willing to make the investment.
Good quality directories can help and support you but when choosing a directory you need to look for:
- Quality - Check if that directory is listed in search engine such as Google or Yahoo.
- Don't submit to too many directories at once. Take it one step at a time and spread your submissions over several months.
- Be careful with free directories as they might do more harm than good. Submitting the same description over and over will be seen as a way to manipulate search engine results. Google and Yahoo have developed specific technology to spot any attempt to manipulate search engine results.
- Look for the number of links in each category. Look further, check if the links are relevant and correspond to the description.
- Check the quality of the listing. If a directory lists relevant sites with quality content and high page rank then it should be reliable. If most of the listing lead to high ranking site then it is a good sign. On the other hands if most listing send you to low page rank, poor and spammy content, you might want to think twice before submitting to that directory.
- Check the crawl rate. If the site is frequently visited by the major search engines, then it is a sign of quality. If the crawl rate is low, then search engine don't trust that site and chances are that it is perceived as spammy.
High quality directories convey value to website. Some of the most reliable names are:
DMOZ: "The Open Directory is the most widely distributed data base of Web content classified by humans. Its editorial standards body of net-citizens provide the collective brain behind resource discovery on the Web. The Open Directory powers the core directory services for the Web's largest and most popular search engines and portals, including Netscape Search, AOL Search, Google, Lycos, HotBot, DirectHit, and hundreds of others. (source: DMOZ)
Yahoo Directory: One of the greatest directory in terms of exposure. "Yahoo! Directory Submit is part of a suite of services created to help businesses like yours get more out of Yahoo!, more efficiently. Whether you've submitted to the Yahoo! Directory in the past or are a new user, Yahoo! Directory Submit provides expedited review of web sites you propose for the Yahoo!" (source: Yahoo Directory). Directory." - Cost: 299USD/year
Business.com: "Business.com is the leading business search engine and directory and pay-per-click advertising network serving more than 40 million unique business users and thousands of advertisers every month. Business.com helps business decision makers quickly find what they need to manage and grow their businesses, and enables advertisers to reach these users wherever they are across the business Internet through premier partners, including Entrepreneur, Hoovers, Financial Times and Internet.com." (source: Business.com) Cost: 199USD/year.
GoGuides: Great resources. Frequentily crwaeled by Google, appears as a trusted source. Cost 69.95 USD
JoeAnt: "JoeAnt.com is about providing a directory of quality sites for Internet users. Our goal is to list the best sites for a wide variety of topics giving our users the most relevant results for their searches." (Source: JoeAnt). Cost: 39.95 USD
S or become an editor.
Best of the web: "Best of the Web is committed to maintaining the high standard of listings that has proven key to its success while continuing to grow. To rank among the Best of the Web, a site must adhere to the strict criteria of editors who ensure that it contains substantive unique content, navigates in a user-friendly manner, contains no broken links or pictures, is up and running 24/7, and conforms to universally accepted web standards. In this way, quality sites are added to the directory on a daily basis and listed in relevant categories that run the gamut of the alphabet from the arts to zoology." (Source: Best of the Web). Cost: 49.95 USD?year or 149.95 USD one time fee.
Site Sifts: "Site Sift Web Directory has been online since September 2004 and is a great resource to get additional traffic to your website. All submissions are reviewed within 72 hours and we have three submission options Standard Listing, Deluxe Listing and Featured Listing which all include webpage or website listings. To get your site listed first choose the most specific category for your listing then select the "Add URL" link near the top of the page. This will bring up the submission form which just takes minutes to complete." (source: Site Sifts) Cost:
Submit to directories as part of your SEO strategy and will see results.
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