Getting Your Website Listed On Directories
In your mad rush to get your website to the top, you may have tried everything: keywords, swapping links with other websites, promoting yourself through blogs or social networking sites, or maybe even paying other websites to link to yours. In all that running around, you may have forgot one thing, and that is getting listed on directories.
Getting listed on these directories involves more than getting your website to appear on Google (anywhere except the first page, anyway). Directories are human edited, so you have to submit your site for review. Directories will not accept every submission, meaning that your site has a chance of being rejected. There are ways to decrease your chances of rejection, however, and a few of those are explained below.
The first thing you should do is learn about each individual directory. Each directory is different, from the way they categorize pages to the how long they allow your site description to be. Main categories are generally the same (News, Health, Shopping, etc.), but subcategories can vary widely between the different web directories. When you submit your directory, you should make sure it is in the most accurate category possible, which will not only increase your chances of getting a site listed, but will also increase the chances of someone clicking on the link that leads to your site. Keep in mind that there are directories out there that focus exclusively on a single topic, and if your site fits within that topic it can be well worth your time to submit for listing there.
Different directories place different limits on how long your site description can be as well. Some allow only a few words, such as 40 or 50, while others will allow as many as 200 or even 300 words, allowing you to write a thorough explanation of what your site is about. Preparing different descriptions of different lengths in advance can save some of the headache associated with this part of directory listing.
Your site's content must be good, and preferably as unique as possible. If your site contains information already available on dozens of other sites that are already listed in that directory, the editor reviewing your site may decline your request.
Getting listed in some of the bigger directories will also get you listed in smaller ones. This is particularly true of the Open Directory Project, which serves as the basis of several other directories, meaning that if you can get your site linked there, your site will be automatically added to several others over the following two or three months.
Finally, you should be aware that several directories out charge for their listings. This can be done through annual fees, pay-per-click pricing, or some other model. A lot of them are free, but not all.
Getting listed on these directories involves more than getting your website to appear on Google (anywhere except the first page, anyway). Directories are human edited, so you have to submit your site for review. Directories will not accept every submission, meaning that your site has a chance of being rejected. There are ways to decrease your chances of rejection, however, and a few of those are explained below.
The first thing you should do is learn about each individual directory. Each directory is different, from the way they categorize pages to the how long they allow your site description to be. Main categories are generally the same (News, Health, Shopping, etc.), but subcategories can vary widely between the different web directories. When you submit your directory, you should make sure it is in the most accurate category possible, which will not only increase your chances of getting a site listed, but will also increase the chances of someone clicking on the link that leads to your site. Keep in mind that there are directories out there that focus exclusively on a single topic, and if your site fits within that topic it can be well worth your time to submit for listing there.
Different directories place different limits on how long your site description can be as well. Some allow only a few words, such as 40 or 50, while others will allow as many as 200 or even 300 words, allowing you to write a thorough explanation of what your site is about. Preparing different descriptions of different lengths in advance can save some of the headache associated with this part of directory listing.
Your site's content must be good, and preferably as unique as possible. If your site contains information already available on dozens of other sites that are already listed in that directory, the editor reviewing your site may decline your request.
Getting listed in some of the bigger directories will also get you listed in smaller ones. This is particularly true of the Open Directory Project, which serves as the basis of several other directories, meaning that if you can get your site linked there, your site will be automatically added to several others over the following two or three months.
Finally, you should be aware that several directories out charge for their listings. This can be done through annual fees, pay-per-click pricing, or some other model. A lot of them are free, but not all.
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Make use of link directories in your website marketing. Submit your site now to Best Web Directory and Top Link Directory web guides. It is free to submit.
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