Is it just PR or is it Price? Why is the reason for small amount of Submissions?

muskur

Oct 13th 2007, 11:13 am

DownUnder

Oct 13th 2007, 11:28 am

I don't see any exact answer to your question as it is made up of variables.

What i can say from past ventures is when making changes do not make lots of changes, just make one, eveluate that change and see if it improved your outcome / return / took you to where your heading, then if so make another small change and so on

often by making many changes you can not put a finger on why or what did or did not work.

Taking small steps takes longer but the outcome is better and less frustrating.

As for your prices that must be for you to work with as some owners may have editors and or other staff and in that command a higher price, but ( IMO ) from my angle pr means nothing.

For the record my features will be $52 a year, so your cheaper than i am / will be.

jg123

Oct 13th 2007, 11:52 am

From my brief look I think your prices are ok but you should put the details of them right next to the prices:

Featured - Permanent - 24 Hour review (5 additional links) $25

I know you say it up top but folks might not read that and just assume it is 1-year links.

I know this is small thing but you should make your User Menu box the same size as the others, it makes an otherwise attractive page look sloppy.

mbfootball47

Oct 13th 2007, 11:53 am

Your price is too high for a pr 0 directory. You should accept sites for free in exchange for back links until your directory gets a pr.

jg123

Oct 13th 2007, 11:56 am

Your price is too high for a pr 0 directory. You should accept sites for free in exchange for back links until your directory gets a pr.

For anyone that knows they can check your backlinks and you are well indexed so PR is not really an issue, your site is probably PR4 right now anyways.

Why not have some coupon sales, they are a good promotion tool to get folks knowing your directory.

I am waiting for the 50% off sale later today...

SteveNO

Oct 13th 2007, 12:08 pm

LeopardAt1

Oct 13th 2007, 1:53 pm

Your site doesn't really strike as professional. Instantly I already know its "JAPD". (just another phpld directory)

Some phpLD directories can be really unique and some of them are the popular ones out there.

Anyone can get a PR4, anyone can get phplinkdirectory, anyone can pay a lousy 100 bucks for a skin or even use a free skin.

Not everyone has a name like paiddirectory.com either. Whats your point?

MeetHere

Oct 13th 2007, 1:57 pm

The prices are fair enough....
I think its all that PR thing..
BTW- keep working on your directory, you are going good :)

lowster11

Oct 13th 2007, 2:23 pm

I am the owner of Paidirectory.com and before this "report paid link" crap happened I was doing alright, last month I removed the featured and recip link option from my submit page and am now only charging one price for a lifetime submission, and let me tell you, that helped a lot. Plus people are afraid of paying for links right now!

DownUnder

Oct 13th 2007, 2:30 pm

Im going to be boastfully honest.
Your site doesn't really strike as professional. Instantly I already know its "JAPD". (just another phpld directory)
The design is cheesy. Its usually the really unique ones that I try submitting to. This tells me the directory has invested lots of $$. Anyone can get a PR4, anyone can get phplinkdirectory, anyone can pay a lousy 100 bucks for a skin or even use a free skin.
Directory owners need step it up. STICK OUT!

Mate beasfully honest ( you talk crap ), second putting some one down for seeking help and advice shows the shallow gutter rat you are, and the only thing thats cheesy is your cheap comments.

As for $ its not the suit its the way you wear it, this person has done a good job and is prepared to learn and will no doubt over time build a good business and stand proud amongst other directory owners.

Numb Nuts like you need to step down or step out and Go and wave your CRAP STICK in another forum.

edit number 2 to hit my ignore list

funkymario

Oct 13th 2007, 2:37 pm

i think its page rank, you prices are fine. am sure u will get more conversions after the google update, however i really think you should invest in a professional and clean design.

good luck!

YMC

Oct 13th 2007, 4:30 pm

After SteveNo's post I was expecting to see the same tired default template. I agree with his sentiments about the concept of JAPD - there must be thousands of sites that just use phpLD, the default template and a category dump and think they've worked hard to create a site.

That said, I was pleasantly pleased to see something other than the default template and with a different category structure. Kudos on both! And a clean liquid design is rare to find among directories!

Euew, one biggie I see. You list links to the listings of related sites on the details page - not really impressive from the submitters point of view - the page that's supposed to be all about me and you have to bring up my competitors too?

I'm also a bit confused if you are an article directory or a site directory? Seems like both, yet not. Some 'articles' are so promotional as to be almost pure advertisements and others are actual articles. You might want to reign in on the overly promotional ones.

I think you have a really cool name for a paid directory. Problem is that Google has made paid links into public enemy number one and your name alone would red flag you as a link seller. Using the stylized PR graphic next to each link only makes you seem all the more like you are selling PR juice rather than a review.

I like the work you have already done, but I would definitely drop all the mentions of PR. I would replace the PR graphic with a thumbnail or something else as well.

Good luck, I think you have a great start and with a few tweaks should be humming along in no time.

lowster11

Oct 13th 2007, 4:37 pm

Very well put YMC!!

Obelia

Oct 13th 2007, 5:28 pm

All listings are sorted by PR in a descending order.
I would get rid of this, and I agree with YMC 100%, get rid of all mentions of PR. The PR update is well overdue and very outdated, and sorting by PR really doesn't favour new websites. And who needs to kickstart their promotions more with directory submissions, than webmasters starting new websites?

The pricing structure is fine, it's not really a barrier. But perhaps a major problem is the fact that your about page says nothing about you, and your contact page has no contact details. So how is someone going to get in touch with you for support if the directory goes down?

muskur

Oct 13th 2007, 9:18 pm

First of all, Sorry, for the late response, I live in Australia and I just woke up and will be going to work soon.

Thanks to every one with positive or even negative feedback.

I don't want to quarrel with anyone about my directory being a regular directory.

It may be just a regular one for anyone but as I told I am working hard on it, and it is not a directory being created with category and link dumps everyday.

The template design is from Syed and I am happy with the design. But from the feedbacks I get here I may make some changes about the PR thing and replacing them with thumbnails is a good idea.(Thanks)

For the pricing looks like everyone agrees the price is acceptable,BTW, yes this is a PR0 directory but I wouldn't like to make the prices cheaper because they are permanent and submitters link will stay there forever, which means until the directory dies and I won't let it die;even if one day I think of selling it I will make sure someone knows its value buys it, not just anyone who pays. I will consider writing the "Permanent" tag near the prices, thanks for the hint. And yes, it is a good idea to give away 50% off coupon, I think I can do that.

The directory name for me is a unique one for a paid directory and I am sure it is worth something, I also own paiddirectory.net(not developed yet) as well which is in the first page of gg and yh for those terms and I am an amateur domainer so I really care about the names. As you can see my biddirectory is biddirectory.net and photoblog directory is photoblogdirectory.net, but it is not easy to manage 5 directories at the same time so taking me time to develop them. Please do not criticize them or me yet because I am not finished with them.

Edit: About Page on the way, thanks. But the contact page should be working.

vistadivine.com@gmail.com

Oct 13th 2007, 9:39 pm

Well its nothing about how much you charge its all about how known you are or probably your directory is on the net and about the quality of the directory. All you require is first to have a good design, add only good sites, spend some time and money in building some links and then just advertise a bit this is all that is needed for you to be one of the bests.

workshop

Oct 13th 2007, 10:11 pm

last month I removed the featured and recip link option from my submit page and am now only charging one price for a lifetime submission, and let me tell you, that helped a lot. Plus people are afraid of paying for links right now!This sums it up nicely. But who are the buyers? There used to be a demand from directory owners "promoting" their sites and buying PR. But that should have all but dried up, leaving us with SEO consultants who I assume must account for the lions share of what's left. I suspect its more a question of who you know rather than what you know and that the players are very uneasy at the moment. They do however need to spread their largesse around as their link building needs to look natural to be natural and what that means you have got to figure out how to attract their attention.Your price is too high for a pr 0 directory. You should accept sites for free in exchange for back links until your directory gets a pr.Directory owners need to forget about PR and more importantly those who were and still are dishing out bad advice. Start thinking for yourself and if you recognise that you are working for Google you will be on the right track. Buyers are looking for long term value and all you have to offer them is a back link. The same back link as anyone else. The only difference between them is how long you are going to stick it out. Its not complicated and my advice is not to over capitalise. Rates are going to come crashing down along with some of those big names and if everyones jittery now, wait for the real thing.

DownUnder

Oct 14th 2007, 2:06 am

I think you have a really cool name for a paid directory. Problem is that Google has made paid links into public enemy number one and your name alone would red flag you as a link seller. Using the stylized PR graphic next to each link only makes you seem all the more like you are selling PR juice rather than a review.
.

I wrote a little on this last night and will expand a little but are my thoughts only.

I don't see in general google has a problem with paid links and or any directory in general, be they paid bid or free variants, so long as these directories have one focus the general public, where i do see a problem is those people who create and exploit directories by creating link farms and selling links that sit away in dark corners that are used to create false PR and exposure for the submitter.

And these people in my view will be where the big axe will fall.

From a video yesterday, google set up a system that says if you have more links you must be more popular this combined with the commercial side of the net made people look at paid links to see the business / raise the profile rise up that ladder, and once again nothing wrong with that.

The reason why any upfront directory charging for links is fine is simple, adwords. Adwords in a pure sense is a piad link to a site, so in thoery any site that displays ad words is accepting paid links, so unless google runs double standards and says our paid links are fine but yours are not then this simply can not be a factor in ratings.

Second if i spent 5k on ad words this also falls into double standards if my site was put at the bottom, for buying these links, and i cant see this.

Further to that is bid directories, once again the bid is not there to artificially or be as some mystical pr improver, it simply raises the awarness on that site for the public a bit like front page in a newspaper or 6 o clock news time on TV.

This also applies in google itself where you can run a feature and place you link up the top for a price and again if we don't have double standards everything is ok here.

Further to that google has developed a lot of good tools that aid directory owners and in that there should be a good working relationship between the two and with that the outcome to benifit all.

The million dollar question of where this puts PR, simply who cares while they sort it out but if the above applies i am sure it will settle down and for now the best focus is on your work not worrying about pr as when its sorted those working now will fare ok.

Now where the drama lies for google and all genuine directory owners are with these so called link farms we see popping up, these are like the shady back room people who build 100 directories that are locked away in back room extensions, with no hope of the public viewing them unless they are drunk and fall over one, these often come with a flashy front of house dirrectory that is polished up but is a fake and will often have we will submit to 100 directories and charge you a bucket, yet these directories are all out there back door and uploaded with one button, they take the money n run, this then upsets the natural balance that exisits in googles rakings.I also see these people operating together in the backend where we will load 500 or 1000 with each sharing the part plunder taken from the poor person who thinks they are going to get some good. It would be this section google would be trying to sort and correct.

and it is this section that brings it down for everyone, directory owners, the genuine submission services for directories and so on.

Ok all of this is just thoughts and i may be wrong but there they are anyway.

The Pheonix

Oct 14th 2007, 4:51 am

Cutting through all the clouds that we can put here the simple fact is most directories were and are in it for PR value only, now PR value is devalued its only wise to submit to only directories that are tried and tested and been around a long time and or good quality niche directories like YMC's (above) Crafty Tips.

workshop

Oct 14th 2007, 5:02 am

More to the point would be to submit to directories that have a reasonable chance of still being around in two years time. There are going to be a few of the old timers who are not going to make the transition from what it was to what it is, here and now.

The Pheonix

Oct 14th 2007, 6:32 am

More to the point would be to submit to directories that have a reasonable chance of still being around in two years time. There are going some old timers who are not going to make the transition from what it was to what it is here and now.What's your definition of an old timer workshop and how would we know whether they won't be around? you've lost me on this one.?

dsakella

Oct 14th 2007, 7:41 am

In the title I almost asked the question. But I will ask in detail because I would like to learn from experienced directory owners.

My Paid Directory ( in the signature) get a total of 100-150 uniques a day. And at least %30 percent of them are targeted visitors because they come from google or yahoo by searching the term "paid directory" or "paid directories"

I get a total of 10 submissions a month for the last 5 months.
I charge $25-$15 for featured and $10-$5 for Regular Submissions.(Permanent Listings)

The question is; I am working hard to maintain my directory but Do I charge too much or is it just the pr(because I have pr0 at the moment), or am I missing something?
Is it going to help if I make the pricing per year instead of permanent and drop the pricing?

Thanks for the help.

This is a question that depends on many factors. Directories are facing a difficult situation because of google not agreeing on their main purposes.
1. Google does not want links to be sold for PR purposes
2. Google doesn't want links to be sold for SERP improving purposes.

These have been the main services directories have been based on, and now many users question themselves about the need of having a paid directory link.
It's logical to have a smaller amount of submissions due to these reasons.
On the other hand I had a great increase on my submission number in the last two months. I did nothing special and to be honest I didn't expect this to happen. Right after I doubled my prices, submissions increased. (from 3-6$ to 6-12$ for regular - featured).
I think your prices are a little high (my directory is PR 3), and probably this is the key factor.
Also PR has its role not for purposes of passing PR juice but in terms of proving that a directory has been there for quite some time and some promotion has been made.
So I think your problem is a combination of the two factors you mention.
Try experimenting a bit with your prices and keep working on your projects.
Submissions will come as soon as the market is convinced that you offer a reliable and quality service.

Also try to evolve your directory, as simple link farms will probably not have a great future. Try reforming into a portal like site, with content regularly updated, add features other than just link submissions.
This will help you in two sectors. You will greatly improve your SERPs and thus your traffic, and you will give your visitors (other than webmasters) a reason to keep coming back, thus driving traffic to your listings.

Keep in mind that directories have always been a tough and tricky business, and nowadays it has become even harder. Only the ones that will catch the evolution train will survive.

Just my opinion.

muskur

Oct 14th 2007, 9:50 am

Thanks for the feedback dsakella. What kind of portal site do you mean and what kind of content would you suggest. I can't think of many choices for a paid directory.

bobby9101

Oct 14th 2007, 10:51 am

Not everyone has a name like paiddirectory.com either. Whats your point?
You think that's a good domain? Hmm, ok

workshop

Oct 14th 2007, 10:56 am

What's your definition of an old timer workshop and how would we know whether they won't be around? you've lost me on this one.?There is going to be significantly less money chasing more directories. Rates are also likely to be a lot lower than in the past and this means that everyone is going to have to run a lot faster just to stay still. High PR sites with high overheads must be high risk options. For the next six months or so I would stick to new directories.

The Pheonix

Oct 14th 2007, 11:07 am

There is going to be significantly less money chasing more dirctories. Rates are also likely to be a lot lower than in the past and this means that everyone is going to have to run a lot faster just to stay still. High PR sites with high overheads must be high risk options. For the next six months or so I would stick to new directories.Thanks for clearing your point up for me, I can answer now.

Firstly, I'm pretty sure that PR is going to change in some form, its certainly going to have less value. There will always be directories as search engines are just too messy, the chaos called the web simply has to be organised, but there will I believe evolve a format of directory that will offer the consumer, who after all is who we are chasing after, a lot more value for money, these are the directories that don't offer PR bars, and alexa ranking tables, they are a big time put off, PR8 doesn't mean it sells a better product from PR4, it can and often is quite the opposite.

So I think that the directories who've played by the rules, and have nutured themselves into a position of trust and offer what the consumer needs will take ALL the money leaving the rest floundering around after the slim pickings.

You've given me a great idea when reading your posts and its helped me develop a model which I hope will work for me, it has so far and that's even applying it to older school type directories. I'm looking ten years on and still see myself here, lets forget 6 months. :)

WatchOut

Oct 14th 2007, 11:34 am

The truth is that there are dozens of directory owners that are running their directories in order to improve their pagerank; which definitely isin't the way to go.

What about your visitors? They are a huge part of your business. In order to have a successful established web directory you must think out of the box, how do I get a visitor to visit my web directory at a regular basis? Providing a well-moderated and spam-free web directory can help both your users and yourself in the near future.

About the price? Think this way; running a web directory costs both time and money - but the problem is that many will submit their sites in order to gain higher pagerank. Setting a price isin't as hard as you think? Think this way, does your price really pay your work (that includes going through every aspect of the submitters site and see if it meets your directory standards) ?

Setting up a Directory is easy. Managing one is hard.

Thanks,
Meti

jg123

Oct 14th 2007, 11:44 am

About the price? Think this way; running a web directory costs both time and money

The key thing about that statement is that everyone values their own time differently. Some may believe their time is worth $50 and hour and others are happy with $10 an hour. In the end it is the 'market' votes with their $$ to decide if a directory is worth the submission/review price.

SteveNO

Oct 14th 2007, 2:59 pm

Not everyone has a name like paiddirectory.com either. Whats your point?

paiddirectory.com? :rolleyes: What is your point?

Mate beasfully honest ( you talk crap ), second putting some one down for seeking help and advice shows the shallow gutter rat you are, and the only thing thats cheesy is your cheap comments.

As for $ its not the suit its the way you wear it, this person has done a good job and is prepared to learn and will no doubt over time build a good business and stand proud amongst other directory owners.

Numb Nuts like you need to step down or step out and Go and wave your CRAP STICK in another forum.

edit number 2 to hit my ignore list

I was just trying to give an honest opinion. Its better to if someone doesn't know how other (potential submitters) view their directories.

Why so much animosity towards me DownUnder? You talk like your a professional directory owner and yet your calling people gutter rats because they try giving a honest answer. :rolleyes:

The Pheonix

Oct 14th 2007, 6:40 pm

I was just trying to give an honest opinion. Its better to if someone doesn't know how other (potential submitters) view their directories. And so you should, your opinion is as valid as anyone elses and sometimes we do have to agree to disagree, lets do it without fighting heh. Mind you I did find your phrase JAPD quite amusing as it came just as someone boasted of launching 20 directories using that very script, :eek: I thought exactly the same but bit my tongue. Your only saying what lots of people think, rep for having the courage to do so.

jg123

Oct 14th 2007, 7:18 pm

find your phrase JAPD quite amusing

I agree with this and I have stopped submitting to 90% of the new directories regardless of script just because folks don't seem to be doing anything unique anymore, it is just same-old-same-old. But when I do see someone that has done something a little different I am willing to support them by purchasing featured links.

muskur

Oct 14th 2007, 9:58 pm

Excuse me but do my site look like this? I mean one of those Japd directories? I didn't use any software to put tens or hundreds of directories on, and as I stated at first I work hard on my directory with many advertisements, free PHPLD templates and so on...
BTW, anyone can think paiddirectory.com is not a good paid directory name but for me it is perfect, It doesn't make it invaluable because of recent changes in the gg. People are searching free directories and paid directories. It is discussed a lot but if you are charging to place links it is a paid directory even if you call it any name-including paid for review.. I thought yahoo was a paid directory as well. Only its name is yahoo. If you redirect your customer to the payment area after the link submit it is a paid directory. The only difference is everyone knows my directory is a paid directory as soon as they type in the domain name.

jg123

Oct 14th 2007, 10:05 pm

I like your site URL and think it is valuable, just right now all the crap about paid links is going on. I also think your design is above average.

muskur

Oct 14th 2007, 10:23 pm

Steve,
How can you know I did not invest on this directory? If you didn't like the template it is your opinion, I didn't do the template myself, it is from a professional designer. If you don't know, you can see his portfolio here (http://www.idk.in/templates.php).

And please don't judge this being just a thrown out directory, I will take it as an insult because I invested xx,xxx for this directory. NO JAPD will do this. Please make a search before you judge.

I asked for help from the experienced directory owners, if you are experienced help me to become better or please do not tell me my directory is a junk. Instead of saying that; you could tell me to make changes with the template or advertise more or whatever advice, but you just put me down by telling me it is not professional.

Im going to be boastfully honest.

Your site doesn't really strike as professional. Instantly I already know its "JAPD". (just another phpld directory)

The design is cheesy. Its usually the really unique ones that I try submitting to. This tells me the directory has invested lots of $$. Anyone can get a PR4, anyone can get phplinkdirectory, anyone can pay a lousy 100 bucks for a skin or even use a free skin.

Directory owners need step it up. STICK OUT!

workshop

Oct 14th 2007, 11:17 pm

Don't worry about other people. You build a directory for yourself and for Google. If you want to spend $$$, spend $$$ but its not necessary. Webmasters can get a back link from you if you accept their site and its up to them to find you. They are going to need to be lot more selective in future and unnecessary window dressing is a sure fire indication that the owner has something to hide. Don't compromise on the guidelines you set, build a resource you are proud of and you should be OK.

The Pheonix

Oct 15th 2007, 3:17 am

I agree with this and I have stopped submitting to 90% of the new directories regardless of script just because folks don't seem to be doing anything unique anymore, it is just same-old-same-old. But when I do see someone that has done something a little different I am willing to support them by purchasing featured links.There's big things happening at phpLynx on this JG, I know Gary and Frank are working on a new model of directory that raises the bar yet again. Forget features here, i'm not advertising the scripts features here, I'm pointing out to the much needed change of approach directories need to take and these boys are really working hard on this.

I do get kept in the loop of course as I do much of the coding for the ideas along with others but won't or can't divulge just what they are up to until they give me the go ahead, but one thing I can say is that it pretty much backs up exactly what you said.

dsakella

Oct 15th 2007, 5:25 am

Thanks for the feedback dsakella. What kind of portal site do you mean and what kind of content would you suggest. I can't think of many choices for a paid directory.

Maybe you should transform it into a site that the average user would find useful. (ie non webmasters, so that you can drive organic traffic). Try adding newsfeeds, write some articles on your own on any niche you find suitable.
Maybe you could add some services.
I don't know exactly what you could do with your site, but try to reform it to something that CONTAINS a directory, and not something that is only that.
Target the average user. The one that will visit your listings so that your customers will see traffic coming from your site.
This is the best promotion for you. Let people find out that your site generates traffic.

The Pheonix

Oct 15th 2007, 5:41 am

Steve,
How can you know I did not invest on this directory? If you didn't like the template it is your opinion, I didn't do the template myself, it is from a professional designer. If you don't know, you can see his portfolio here (http://www.idk.in/templates.php).

And please don't judge this being just a thrown out directory, I will take it as an insult because I invested xx,xxx for this directory. NO JAPD will do this. Please make a search before you judge.

I asked for help from the experienced directory owners, if you are experienced help me to become better or please do not tell me my directory is a junk. Instead of saying that; you could tell me to make changes with the template or advertise more or whatever advice, but you just put me down by telling me it is not professional.Don't take the critisism to hear muskur, the problem is that there's no getting away from the fact there are now thousands of freebie directories using a certain script and most of them are pretty poor to say the least. don't follow the pack here, be careful on thier advice and choose wisely. Newsfeeds are okay but don't use them as an alternative to results, use them with if you have to.

I don't like phpld that much but I'm working for a rival script so am bound to say that, what i'll d for you is to go to your site independant of this forum and p.m you with my views which you can take or leave ok. good luck my friend. :)

workshop

Oct 15th 2007, 5:42 am

Features are not going to fool anyone. Bells and whistles are just that. Automated content is dead easy to detect. A quick paint job is not going to paper over the cracks. Whereas a dedicated directory master is what will really make a directory stand out from the crowd. We need to re-evaluate every single measure of value we use to grade directories. We need to offer incentives to directory masters to do the right thing. We need to change the way we think and the way we do things. This is what Google is trying to tell us. Its not just the personalities and the various tools we use. Its attitude.

The Pheonix

Oct 15th 2007, 5:49 am

Features are not going to fool anyone. Bells and whistles are just that. Automated content is dead easy to detect. A quick paint job is not going to paper over the cracks. Well said, rep had to be given. Problem with people is they think gimmicks will bring visitors, they won't, content will but only if its the right type. Awesome answer.

SteveNO

Oct 15th 2007, 7:29 pm

And so you should, your opinion is as valid as anyone elses and sometimes we do have to agree to disagree, lets do it without fighting heh. Mind you I did find your phrase JAPD quite amusing as it came just as someone boasted of launching 20 directories using that very script, :eek: I thought exactly the same but bit my tongue. Your only saying what lots of people think, rep for having the courage to do so.

Thank you. How does anyone manage 20 directories.

Steve,
How can you know I did not invest on this directory? If you didn't like the template it is your opinion, I didn't do the template myself, it is from a professional designer. If you don't know, you can see his portfolio here (http://www.idk.in/templates.php).

And please don't judge this being just a thrown out directory, I will take it as an insult because I invested xx,xxx for this directory. NO JAPD will do this. Please make a search before you judge.

I asked for help from the experienced directory owners, if you are experienced help me to become better or please do not tell me my directory is a junk. Instead of saying that; you could tell me to make changes with the template or advertise more or whatever advice, but you just put me down by telling me it is not professional.

So you invested a lot of money, but still a JAPD to me and most likely also with viewers of your website. Your directory just has no real appeal. You can invest and lose and try again ;)

mauiman

Oct 15th 2007, 8:14 pm

muskur - few thoughts...

My general directory is PR4 (was 5), over 500 u/v's daily, 5000+ listings (point being that it is actually a directory with listings), Syed design, and I charge only $7 for permanent regular listing... and $10 for featured (featured for 12 months then becomes permanent).

And while I'm getting more listings then you reported it's not a lot more so I wouldn't worry that you're doing anything terribly wrong. Some great advice from others here and frankly the fonts used in your directory don't appear to be Syed created. If they were you should have someone spruce them up a little.

I believe small business owners are more comfortable pulling the trigger (buying) listings for $5-10 in a directory then $20+. Now that the PR/SEO value has lost it's lustre you really do need to put yourself in your prospects shoes and ask yourself what YOU'D be willing to spend.

Best of success to you!

muskur

Oct 15th 2007, 8:51 pm

Thanks for that mauiman but I don't understand which fonts you are talking about, it looks ok from my computer.

mauiman

Oct 15th 2007, 9:40 pm

I was using Firefox... looks a little better with IE. I had to make some of my font bold to mke it look cleaner and more professional. I just think the fonts he was using for both of us were weak and don't add much to the first impression.

At any rate the directory looks good especially with the graphics next to cats.

Now focus on getting some green in the PR bar and more importantly some Alexa rankings showing that the directory is delivering stronger traffic. People want to see traffic AND other listings so they feel like it's a place they want to be seen. The more you get the more you'll get....

Cheers

DownUnder

Oct 15th 2007, 9:45 pm

Thanks for that mauiman but I don't understand which fonts you are talking about, it looks ok from my computer.

Often does for any application, but when shooting around have a look at your site from a few other computers this helps to pick stuff that may need adjusting.

The Pheonix

Oct 16th 2007, 3:56 am

[QUOTE]Thank you. How does anyone manage 20 directories.
I don't think they can, that's the problem with the directory scene right now, you get idiots who think they can run 20 or more directories quite succesfully on thier own but they can't and it creates duplicate content regardless of whether they are free or paid. I know some who claim to have 50 or more directories and to be honest they seem to manage somehow but possibly with a lot of help. Truth be known though no true business man would want more than one directory that they could pour all thier energy into, if you can manage 50 pretty well just imagine how good you'd manage just the one.

So you invested a lot of money, but still a JAPD to me and most likely also with viewers of your website. Your directory just has no real appeal. You can invest and lose and try again ;)This is probably like talking to a brick wall, most people won't listen if you told them a car was gonna hit them, that's even after they have tyre prints all over them as well. :confused:

workshop

Oct 16th 2007, 4:40 am

This is probably like talking to a brick wall, most people won't listen if you told them a car was gonna hit them, that's even after they have tyre prints all over them as well. :confused:And aren't we are the suckers? Whilst we are wasting our time arguing the toss the bad guys are still churning them out and what's worse they are still selling links and pretending that everything's just fine. Its dead easy to run 50 directories and more. Its being done as we speak and we are allowing them to get away with it because its none of our business.

Like hell its not. Why have I not had one single submission request to the directory in my signature? This tells the whole story. Everyone's so hung up on appearances it provides the perfect cover for the link farms and allows them flourish. Why cant we accept that quality content and editorial integrity is all that's important? Why cant we agree that long term value is what buyers are looking for? Instead of arguing and insulting each other why cant we start opening doors and challenging directory masters to step up to the plate and commit themselves to these simple but real measures of value. Why are we not chasing those corporate accounts and changing the way people do business in this industry. Why dont we try being brutally honest?

The Pheonix

Oct 16th 2007, 5:30 am

And aren't we are the suckers? Whilst we are wasting our time arguing the toss the bad guys are still churning them out and what's worse they are still selling links and pretending that everything's just fine. Its dead easy to run 50 directories and more. Its being done as we speak and we are allowing them to get away with it because its none of our business.

Like hell its not. Why have I not had one single submission request to the directory in my signature? This tells the whole story. Everyone's so hung up on appearances it provides the perfect cover for the link farms and allows them flourish. Why cant we accept that quality content and editorial integrity is all that's important? Why cant we agree that long term value is what buyers are looking for? Instead of arguing and insulting each other why cant we start opening doors and challenging directory masters to step up to the plate and commit themselves to these simple but real measures of value. Why are we not chasing those corporate accounts and changing the way people do business in this industry. Why dont we try being brutally honest?I dont' put my own directories in my sigs so truthfully my submission levels have actually increased. I couldn't agree more that arguing and insulting each other is a waste of time, I only reciprcocate never instigate. I will never stop waging a war against these people though as I have a legitimate interest in clearing up the directory industry and hopefully making it where every genuine owner gets a good income, at the moment they're probably not, even if they say they are.

The problem I see here is there is a little clique of people who either don't understand the consquences of what they are doing long term or don't care. I do care and will continue to challenge them to stand up to the plate. There's certain peopleI blame for manipulating this self destruction of the directory industry and bringing them to a better way of thinking is the best way forward not attacking them. The penny will eventually drop I'm confident of that. :)

LeopardAt1

Oct 16th 2007, 1:22 pm

You think that's a good domain? Hmm, ok

I do actually. you don't?

paiddirectory.com? :rolleyes: What is your point?

Well I like the domain. It definitely fits his site and receives some SE benefits in return.

I was just trying to give an honest opinion. Its better to if someone doesn't know how other (potential submitters) view their directories.

Read your responses again and ask yourself how you would feel if you were in muskur's position. Here you have someone asking a few questions about his site and for you to just come out and crap talk his directory is rude. If you want to come off as a rude prick, then go ahead.

The directories your talking about are not like paiddirectory.com. He has a unique template, category structure, no sitewides, mods that most of the crap ones don't bother installing, and he promotes it in several ways.

bobby9101

Oct 16th 2007, 2:05 pm

I do actually. you don't?
Paidirectory.com just screams spammy, get rich quick, low quality, no reviewing, "directory"

mauiman

Oct 16th 2007, 2:26 pm

As I just opined about in my googbies blog web directories are like gardens and their owners like gardeners.

Muskur's garden (paiddirectory.com) may not be the prettiest or largest yet, but it's evident to me that he's serious about his gardening and it's sure to grow. It should be a good place to plant seeds (website listings). I have no doubt he'll nurture them along the way. They'll have plenty of water and fertilizer thanks to the SE rankings he ALREADY enjoys. Any additional fertilizer will just make the plants (listings) stronger.

The Pheonix

Oct 16th 2007, 3:04 pm

workshop

Oct 16th 2007, 9:24 pm

The problem I see here is there is a little clique of people who either don't understand the consquences of what they are doing long term or don't care. I do care and will continue to challenge them to stand up to the plate. There's certain peopleI blame for manipulating this self destruction of the directory industry and bringing them to a better way of thinking is the best way forward not attacking them. The penny will eventually drop I'm confident of that. :)In the meantime what can the OP do to get a few more submissions? I have a list that I give out to buyers and I am happy to add his directory to that. But with my bedside manners I am afraid its not going to do anyone much good. I am not the best there is by a long shot. Where are the "boys" when you really need them?