Understanding internet directories and how to effectively use them to market your business
Search engines are not the only way to promote your web site and build traffic. There are literally thousands of directories on the web that can build inbound links to your site and provide visitors. And in many cases, they can do this without increasing your internet budget.
An internet directory is pretty much what it sounds like: a listing of web sites organized by "categories" and focused on specific markets. So, you may have a directory of children's toys, which then consists of categories broken down by age, and type of toy. You then insert your listing based on which category seems most appropriate to you. Your listing is then checked by a directory employee to make sure it is appropriate for their site and category.
There are several major directories, such as the Yahoo Directory ($299) and the DMOZ Directory, which is free, but is slow to index (include) your site and has diminished in popularity since Google surfaces on the web in 1998.
Some directories are simply "link farms," which ask you to pay a small fee (say, $15 a year) and all they provide are links to your website. They are pretty much worthless in terms of driving traffic to your site and often cause conflicts with search engine policies which prohibit the use of link farms.
If you are interested in submitting your site to some directories, you can download my free search engine directory list from www.digitalbusinesservices.com. This is a large list of directories and you'll need to first visit their site to see if your web site content works for that directory.
Some directories will allow you to list for free, others will require an annual fee. Many of them will send an email to you after you submit your listing. Follow their instructions to confirm the listing.
Directories are particularly useful if you are in a market with many competitors. Perhaps you are having trouble getting good rankings in Google or Yahoo and directories can help fill the gap.
Please contact us at 252-413-0418 if you'd like assistance with directory advertising.
