In the past article on Web Directories we explored the different types of Web Directories and what contributes to their quality. In this article we will continue to look at different types of Web Directory operation.
Web Directories are operated in several different ways which in turn affects the overall quality towards your marketing goals.
Free For All Directories
This type of directory allows anyone to submit their listing and have it appear. Since these types of directories accept just about anyone, you will often find a lot of spam listings or listing for questionable content or websites. Free For All Web Directories typically have little to no value and are considered SPAM directories by search engines.
Moderated Directories
A Moderated Web Directory allows anyone to submit their listing but it must be approved before it appears on the site. These types of directories are human edited and controlled so the overall quality of the listings and content of the directory tends to be much higher and more relevant. Search engines favor these types of directories because they provide relevant content to visitors and are a good source for them to scan and index.
Paid Directories
Paid Web Directories can include Web Directories that are free but allow you to upgrade your listing for a fee or Web Directories that require payment to be listed on. Paid directories can include both Free For All and Moderated so it is important to do some research first to make sure that the listings on the directory are relevant. Quality directories that feature a paid option are often great ways to enhance your listing and drive direct traffic to your website from users of the Web Directory.
How to submit your listing to Web Directories
When it comes time to actually submit your website to Web Directories you have several options and methods at your disposal. We will review them here:
- Do It Yourself:
This will require you to sift though thousands of Web Directories in search of those of quality and value. Once found, you will need to follow the submission process of each web directory one at a time. While viable, no business owner has the time or patience for this method. Likewise without experience and industry knowledge, knowing which directories to submit to and which to skip is a gamble at best. - Purchase Directory Submission Software:
There are lots of software packages out there that allow you to submit to thousands of directories at once. Typically within a few hours you can submit to hundreds of directories. The main disadvantage here is again knowing which directories are quality and which directories are spam. With only 0.1% of Wed Directories out there having any quality or relevance, 99.9% of the directories you submit to will be a waste of time at best. In worst case scenarios, these 99.9% can hurt your marketing goal and end up lowering your own site’s placement within the search engines. - Hire a Web Directory Submission Company:
Let’s face it, the internet is full of people who want to get rich quick and will do anything to make a buck. The same is true with most Web Directory Submission Companies. Many use the same software mentioned above and simply submit to as many directories as they can find. Often these directories have no relevancy to your business at all. One of our client’s recently fell victim to this type of scam. They bought into a service that would register them with 5,000 directories. Problem? They ended up being registered on hundreds of foreign directories and directories that had nothing to do with their business. The lesson? If it sounds to good to be true it probably is. Remember that these directories are independently owned and operated so it is impossible for a directory submission service to guarantee acceptance. Additionally since only 0.1% of the directories out there are of any value, being solicited for submission to thousands of directories is a red flag. It is also a good idea to obtain a list of directories the company plans on submitting to if possible. Keep in mind though that the list of quality directories is often proprietary for even legitimate, reputable companies so you may not be able to get a full list. - Contact Advertising Solutions, Inc.
Not only are we experts in directory submissions, we also own and operate several of the web’s most popular niche directories. This not only gives us the inside track to what works and what doesn’t but it also allows us to custom tailor web directory campaigns to meet your budget and goals. Give us a call to speak to a marketing associate today.
