| Let
Others Know You Exist !! |
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| Directory Listing |
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| A Web
directory is a list for finding Web pages
with information about a particular topic. Topics are
arranged into categories, so the visitors can find lists
of Web sites simply by clicking increasingly specific
category names. Human editors set up the category structure
and also select the Web sites to include, applying judgment
so sites meet standards of quality and relevance. |
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| A Web directory is a list for finding Web pages with information about a particular topic. Topics are arranged into categories, so the visitors can find lists of Web sites simply by clicking increasingly specific category names. Human editors set up the category structure and also select the Web sites to include, applying judgment so sites meet standards of quality and relevance. |
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| It is a common notion that a normal
visitor will go the Search
engine for finding out information about
a specific thing. Search engines are definitely useful
when you know a specific piece of information. Search
engines enable you to search for words or phrases in the
text of Web sites throughout the World Wide Web. But then
Search Engines also gives the user the link to the Web
directories. So if you are listed in some good directory,
you are automatically picking up the search engine. |
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| There are two main benefits of being listed in a web directory : |
- Increased link-popularity
due to a one-way link
from a highly respected resource.
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- Increased traffic
due to being listed in a directory that is searched
by many people every day
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| In reality though, these benefits are directly related to how popular the directory is itself, and how much money you have paid for your listing. Of course, if the link is for free, there is nothing to worry about. |
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| Directory
listings are used as traffic building opportunities.
How this works is that many directories are searchable
for their visitors, so that users can look for information |
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| Most directories, apart from the top twenty
or so, are usually used for link-building
and not pure searching. Many directories offer listings
based on an alphabetical ordering, or a first-come, first-serve
ordering. In both cases, your website has quite a big
chance of being lost out in the noise. |
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| Directory-search algorithms differ greatly.
Some directories, base their search on keyword
relevancy (which makes it more of an exercise of stuffing
your directory listing with keywords rather than making
a good website), while others take a more "editorial"
approach by factoring in editor ratings. And still, many
directories display sponsored listings first, reinforcing
the adage that even on the Internet, it's your advertising
budget that talks, and not necessarily the quality of
your website. You cannot just rely on just being listed
– there are sponsor listings that get much more
exposure. |
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| Directories list Web sites by category as evaluated and placed by human editors. You have the added benefits of titles and descriptions chosen by editors as well as their judgments that the sites are relevant. Most people find directories very easy to navigate. Directories currently contain millions of the best Web sites, but cover only a relatively small percentage of the World Wide Web. Sites with low quality rarely get accepted since all sites submitted are reviewed. Most major directories require a fee for submittal. But then there are free directories like Yahoo! Search does not require a fee for screening your site, but the fee is optional if you want faster service. Before submitting your site to any directory, make sure that your site is completely ready for it! It is strongly recommend that you get a good Website design before publishing it online. |
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| It’s crucial for your Web site’s acceptance that you read through the directory’s FAQ for submission guidelines! If your Web site is not selected, you may contact the editorial teams that select Web sites. Remember that directories list sites, not pages. In normal circumstances, you should only submit the front page of your Web site to directories. It’s usually best to submit to the "highest" category that applies to your site for more exposure. It’s also wise to spend some time searching for the most accurate category since submissions to the wrong categories are usually just thrown out. In addition, submitting to the wrong category might cost you some heavy traffic! |
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| There's an advantage to being listed
in a directory versus a search engine because directory
listings are created by human editors from manual submissions.
This eliminates the redundancies caused by automatic software
submissions. But the major reason why directory listings
are so valuable today is that they power so many other
indices and portals. So it's important to make directory
listings a part of your search engine optimization plan.
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| A directory that is commonly overlooked yet powers many other databases is the Open Directory Project (ODP), a volunteer index of web site listings. It has several hundred conduits or downstream licensees, including Netscape, AOL, Google, and Lycos, which all use ODP data. Open Directory does not rank sites in the same way as a search engine ranks sites; it is a cross between a reference library and the yellow pages. Volunteers are put in charge of a category and edit all sites submitted to that category. Actually, you can volunteer to work the directory under a relevant category to ensure your site gets in. As long as you don't abuse your position, you can submit your site to your category, but you will be expected to do the work of a volunteer. |
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| One thing to remember when listing in directories is that the editors decide what appears as the title and description. They expect, and may insist, that your submitted title be the same as the actual page title and that it be short and accurate. Don't try to spam the Open Directory, Yahoo, or any other directory because sooner or later, you will run into strong resistance. |
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| Best strategy is to include a short and
accurate meta-description
on each page, and submit that to the directory as your
description. The description should be clear and concise,
honest, objective, and descriptive. If you submit a description
that reads like a leader ad, editors won't use it, and
they may end up writing their own. |
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| Another key is to make sure you submit to the most suitable or appropriate category. Take time to browse and check that you really understand the category structure at the directory. Make sure you find the best category section in which you want your site to appear. If you can't take the necessary time to do this, don't expect the editors to do it for you. |
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| It's a good idea to search all the keywords that describe your site to find the categories where other sites similar to yours are listed, then consider submitting your site in these categories. For instance, if you offer health insurance, perform a search for the term "health insurance." As you search in a directory, you will eventually drill into a results section and find web sites similar to your health insurance site. Take note of the categories and submit your site in the specific categories you've determined to be consistent and appropriate to your business offering. |
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