Directories and
Their Importance for Search Engine Rankings
About directories:
A directory is simply a web site that contains a categorized
listing of links from around the web. They aid surfers to
locate the 'best' and most informative links for a particular
category. For example a category may be called 'Home and Garden'
and in this category there is list of links about home improvement
and gardening. Directories consist of a collection of categories
into which links are seperated. Categories can have sub-categories
to make the division of links more specific.
Directories are important tools in building link popularity
and as a result help improve search engine ranking. They are
an excellent source of inbound, one-way links, which are the
most powerful types of links to help build link popularity.
There are a multitude of varied directories on the web at
present. They range from general directories that include
categories for almost everything, to specific directories
that contain categories to match specific area/s of interest
e.g. web sites about fishing. It is helpful to get your web
site listed in as many directories as possible as this will
help you beat the competition in rankings.
Getting your link listed varies between directories as each
has their own different process. Some directories require
a fee but most do not. A lot of directories offer a mixture
between free and paid listing. When you pay to get your link
listed in a directory it is normally added within a week and
it is guaranteed to be added. On the flipside a directory
offer a free listing can take anywhere from a week to several
months to add your link, and also there is no guarantee that
the link will be added.
Some directories use other approaches to get your link listed.
For example the Joeant directory http://www.joeant.com requires
you to register as an editor in order to submit a link. The
Zeal directory http://www.zeal.com also requires you to register
as a member but first you must complete and pass a 20 question
quiz to prove your worthiness.
Directories to submit to:
Getting listed in quality directories such as DMOZ or Yahoo
can be more beneficial for your link popularity than a lot
of links from smaller, newer directories. It is therefore
useful to know which to submit to. The following is a listing
of some of the higher quality directories:
DMOZ
http://www.dmoz.org
The most important directory that exists on the web today.
Getting listing in this directory is critical if you aim to
achieve top rankings..
* Listing - Free
* Time to get listed - 1 to 6 months, maybe even longer
Yahoo Directory
http://dir.yahoo.com
After DMOZ, probably the next most powerful directory to get
listed in.
* Listing - Free or paid
* Time to get listed - Free inclusion can take several months,
paid inclusion a few days
Zeal and Looksmart
http://www.zeal.com
http://www.looksmart.com
These two directories are very closely related as Looksmart
owns Zeal.
* Listing - Zeal: Free for non-commercial sites (sites can
only be submitted after passing a 20 question quiz) but paid
for commercial sites. Looksmart: Paid
* Time to get listed - Zeal: Free inclusion can take 1-2
months, paid inclusion a few days
Looksmart: A few days
JoeAnt
http://www.joeant.com
JoeAnt is a directory that is growing in popularity.
Gimpsy
http://www.gimpsy.com
Operates differently to other directories. Web sites are organized
according to question asked.
Information needed to submit to directories:
When submitting a link to a directory you will more than
likely be asked to provide the following information about
your web site:
* URL
* Title
* Description
* Keywords that describe it
One thing I recommend that you do before submitting is to
prepare this information in advance and to use the same information
when submitting to all directories. As much as possible place
keyphrases that describe your web site into the Title text
and Description text you submit, especially into the Title
text (this is known as anchor text optimization).
When a directory asks you to provide keywords that describe
your web site it uses these keywords to locate your site when
someone performs a search within the directory. So for example
if I submit the keyword 'lawn' I have a better of chance of
being listed in the directory's search results when someone
searches within it using the keyword 'lawn'. However focus
more on writing keyphrase-rich Title and Description entries
than Keywords when submitting.
Tips when submitting to directories:
* Submit your link to the most appropriate category Every
directory will tell you this as it makes their job easier
when it comes around to listing your link. This point should
be stressed though as it not only makes the directory editor's
job a little easier therefore speeding up your listing, but
also the search engines will look at the other links that
surround you on the page you are listed on and if they are
of a similar theme to your own this can boost your rankings.
* Be patient One point to remember about directories that
provide a free listing, be patient. If you are not paying
to be in the directory then your link listing has a lower
priority than paid listings. It can take several months to
get into some directories so it can be frustrating. The best
thing to do when you submit is to put it out of your mind.
* Keep a log One of the most useful things to do upon submitting
to a directory is to write the name of the directory and the
date of submission into a log of some sort (try an Excel sheet).
This prevents you from submitting to a directory more than
once (keeping the editors happy) and gives you the satisfaction
that you are getting something done. When your link gets listed
in the directory mark it off in your log. Job well done!
Summary:
Submitting your link to directories is an excellent way to
build your web site's link popularity and improve search engine
rankings. There are many directories out there, ranging from
the general to the specific, each with their own link submission
processes. Prepare keyphrase-rich text that accurately describes
your web site to submit to the directories. Choose the most
appropriate category for your web site before submitting.
Submitting to directories requires a little effort and a
lot of patience. Your search engine rankings will thank you
for the extra effort.
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