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Directory Listing Services
Improving Search Engine Placement, while driving targeted traffic
Online directory submission is an essential element of any web marketing strategy in that it helps in driving targeted traffic, while increasing a website's relevance (Page Rank) and in turn assisting in earning higher placement within the natural results of search engines. Directory listings enable crawler based search engines to find your pages and add your site to their listings at no charge.
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Most directories are created by hand. Editors are assigned to categories of the directories in which they approve or disapprove inclusion into their directory. Submitting to directories takes time and footwork in identifying the categories that best describe your business, writing rich descriptions highlighting the information that will draw in your key customers and choosing the URL you want the directory to be linked to.
Depending on the online directories, your directory inclusion is not guaranteed. There are factors other than the text you provide to determine your submission's approval. For instance, the structure of your website, quality of content and ease of use are factors that persuade the editors towards accepting your submission or denying it. Most directories have a check list or guidelines for one to determine whether their website is ready for submission, or if revisions to the site are needed.
Manual Submissions to Directories are preferred. Avoid Electronic or Blanket Submissions.
Once a website is ready to be submitted, manually submitting URL's is the next process, unless you are working with a paid directory. If you are working with either the ODP or dmoz.org, Google Directory, or Yahoo directory the time frame for inclusion, if approved, can range from an immediate inclusion to an indeterminate wait.
TopSpot IMS identifies the directories important for your business and manually submits your website to the directory and categories that suit your needs.
Steps in submitting to online directories:
- Select directory category or categories that best suit your business.
- Write concise text that explains your business, product line or services.
- Use two or three keywords that you are trying to earn placement for on the search engines.
- State facts about your business and avoid internal jargon.
- Manually submit URL to the directory.
Online Directories:
Free Directories
Google Directory: The Google Directory is a categorized list of websites that is created by hand. Google does not create it's own directory, but gets its' data from the ODP (Open Directory Project) and categorizes the websites by Page Rank.
The Open Directory Project (ODP): The ODP is a non-profit organization made up of thousands of volunteer editors who hand edit all submissions. Inclusion into the ODP is not guaranteed and approval is determined by whichever editor is in charge of your most relevant category.
Paid Online Directories:
Yahoo Directory: Yahoo is made up of both the Yahoo Directory and the Yahoo Web results. The Yahoo Directory is made up of editors that hand pick and approve URL submissions. Yahoo Standard and Yahoo Express submissions are different in that Standard is a free service for non-commercial sites and the Express version is for commercial sites and requires a yearly fee of $299. Submission to the paid portion of Yahoo's directory is not guaranteed.
Business.com Directory: Business.com is a b2b destination site that includes standard, featured and sponsored listings. Standard inclusion into the Business.com Directory is a $99 flat rate price per category. Listings are live within 5 days and are listed in alphabetical order beneath the Featured Listings. Access is available online to manage listings.
EngineersEdge.com: Engineers Edge is a portal for Design, Engineering & Manufacturing professionals worldwide. Engineers Edge provides high qualified traffic and advertising opportunities.
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