Adding your new site to the major directories is a key task
if you want to build traffic and page ranking. While the
list below is not exhaustive, it will get you well underway
in your directory listings.
A few points to keep in mind as you add your site to these
directories:
* Directories are not search engines. Directories are
edited and managed by human beings, whereas search engines
are programs that troll the web looking for pages. Your
site might be recommended to a directory by one of the site
editors, or a very enthusiastic fan of your site, but most
likely you will have to introduce yourself if you want to
make a directory's list.
* Be sure the directory is indexed in the major search
engines. A quick search at Google, Yahoo & MSN will do.
Be sure the directory is not banned by Google. You probably
won't get flagged by Google if you are listed there, but
the risk is too great there are hundreds of other places
for your link.
* Page Rank isn't everything. Don't skip sites just because
they have a low page rank. While Page Rank is extremely
helpful, it changes over time. A directory with a PR of 3
this month could jump to 6 next month. Also, take note of
the Page Rank of the specific page of the directory your
site will be listed on. Just like it says, Page Rank is for
pages, not for sites. A directory could have a PR of 7, but
the page your link appears on might be a humble 1.
* Directories are not overnight traffic. Look around the
submission guidelines and to see how long the editors will
take to review your site. Free sites can take up to four
months to get approved.
* Go after the older directories first. Google values a
site's age, and you should to. Review the directory's
guidelines and don't abuse them. Don't submit your site
every week. Don't add an unrelated site to a niche
directory. Don't try to trick the editors into adding your
site to more than one category if that goes against the
guidelines.
Now that you know the basics of evaluating and submitting
to directories, here's a short list of the top sites:
General directories:
1) Yahoo http://submit.search.yahoo.com/free/request
The world's best-known directory. This free listing form may
take months to result in a link back to your site, but it
is well worth a try.
2) DMOZ www.DMOZ.org This is the granddaddy of all
directories, and is greatly respected by Google and the
other major search engines. Listings are free, but the wait
can be long. According to the DMOZ site, expect your site
to appear in the listings at Google, AOL and other major
engines about 2 weeks after you're listed in DMOZ.
3) Zeal. www.zeal.com A free listing after you register.
Zeal is owed by Looksmart.
4) Best of the Web - www.botw.org Requires a $49.95
yearly fee, or a $149.95 one-time fee. Online since 1994.
Listing pages usually have a page rank of 4.
5) Directory World - www.directoryworld.net Requires a
reciprocal link, but is otherwise free. Good page ranks for
listing pages.
6) Clickey - www.clickey.com A free link. Also sorts
companies by country.
7) Seoma - www.seoma.net Requires registration and a $15
paypal fee for a link, but the high page ranks make it a
bargain (compared to buying a text link).
8) ExactSeek - www.exactseek.com A free link at an
established site. You can also upgrade to a "top ten
ranking" for $12.
9) What You Seek - www.whatyouseek.com Standard
submissions cost $24.99 and will be posted in eight weeks.
Velocity submit takes two days and costs $49.99.
10) Really First - www.reallyfirst.com One of the largest
directories with over 40,000 links. Poor navigation, but a
free link if you add their link to your site.
This not an exhaustive list, but a great start. Also,
remember, if you have a new site, getting listed here will
help your website get indexed by search engines.
About the Author:
Anik Singal is founder and CEO of Affiliate Classroom.
Anik developed his own affiliate system that helped him
earn over $10,000 in just 60 days working part time. If
you want to learn this unique method, click here for a
free e-course at: AffiliateClassroom
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