Editorial Standards Phase 4 - Design

[JamieG]

I often wonder if directory owners pay much attention to their designs and if they realise that the design of a directory might have some benefit to getting a higher ranking, and or better indexing. With that in mind some of you, at least the newbies to the directory industry might find the blog on Design and Directories (http://www.blog.cantufind.com/2008/04/04/editorial-standards-phase-4-design/) of some use.

I'm aware of there being lot's of knowledgeable people on this forum so if there's anything missed on there perhaps your input would also help newcomers.

[JamieG]

I had to giggle on the fact someone put a one star here when all this thread was aimed at was helping newcomers to the directory industry as a whole.

Perhaps it shows the mentality of directory owners on this particular forum and that perhaps I shouldn't pussyfoot about any more. Maybe I should start exposing the realities of the directory industry especially the methods marketed here?

I've given you lot a chance to help improve the directory industry as a whole but you all seem afraid to change? Its a little wonder why good directory owners have left this place if there's no contribution offered and when it is its ignored.

Is the directory section in DP really this bad? Perhaps I should just use the blog to name and shame people instead of trying to work with them on places like here, maybe then you lot would wake up and listen.

The directory industry is in a mess people, its down to everyone involved to try and improve it. Lets do that.

[hyper]

I'll take a look at the post now.

Reading...

[JamieG]

I'll take a look at the post now.

Reading...Thanks Hyper,
All I want to do is for good people like you and others to share your knowledge. We all have our differences here, but we should be able to put these aside when it comes to offering help.

Not one of us will be right all of the time and disagreements are sometimes good because even if we don't admit it, most of us learn from them. :)

I don't know it all, I have been in the game for over ten years with some of the best, but even then I'm still humble enough to concede I am still learning and wanting to share. :)

[mikey1090]

Nice post. Well summed up.

I'd like to know

An example of a nice looking directory;
An example of a directory thats well optimised for the search engines;
The directory URL that you said looks nice but loads slow (PM me if you don't want to mention it in public).

[hyper]

I'd like to know
An example of a nice looking directory


I'd like to see some examples here :)

[Artifexus]

I'd like to see some examples here

Agreed, if it's a good example, show it here.

[JamieG]

I'd love to show you examples Artifexus;

But wouldn't that lead to people jumping to the wrong conclusion that if I don't pick theirs as being nice, then I'm inferring that the one's I don't choose are not. Besides, my interpretation of a nice design would not necessarily be other peoples.

Tell you what, why don't you lot post what you view as being nice, I'll analyse them and without criticising them will give critique. That way I don't get to say or do anything that could be mistaken as being for the wrong reason.

@Mikey; Sent you the site url so you can do your own test. As I said, the purpose of my post was not to criticise but to give constructive advice so that we can all join in a healthy debate for a change.

[Artifexus]

I'd love to show you examples Artifexus;

But wouldn't that lead to people jumping to the wrong conclusion that if I don't pick theirs as being nice, then I'm inferring that the one's I don't choose are not. Besides, my interpretation of a nice design would not necessarily be other peoples.

Well, that would be their problem. Liking one site and saying so does not mean that all the others are bad.

But I'll give it a shot: I like how Directory Mix (http://www.directorymix.com/) looks (and appears to be optimized decently on quick glance).

Discuss!

[JamieG]

Well, that would be their problem. Liking one site and saying so does not mean that all the others are bad.

But I'll give it a shot: I like how Directory Mix (http://www.directorymix.com/) looks (and appears to be optimized decently on quick glance).

Discuss!I know that, you know that, but try telling others on here that! Many don't realize I'm only trying to help and give share some knowledge. :(

I looked at the example site, my view was that it took an age in firefox to load, but doesn't everything. I found quite a lot about it in a couple of seconds, but as promised I'm not going to criticise here if I can help it so will p.m you my preliminary findings okay, its up to you if you want to publish them then. :)

[Artifexus]

Jamie provided what I thought was a pretty good analysis. I'll hold off posting those comments, both 'good' and 'bad,' until I give the owner a chance to see them first (if I can get in touch with them).

Anybody know who owns Directory Mix (http://www.directorymix.com/)?

[MeetHere]

Nice designs shows dedication of a directory owner towards his directory.
Nice article :)

[mikey1090]

I'd love to show you examples Artifexus;

But wouldn't that lead to people jumping to the wrong conclusion that if I don't pick theirs as being nice, then I'm inferring that the one's I don't choose are not. Besides, my interpretation of a nice design would not necessarily be other peoples.

Tell you what, why don't you lot post what you view as being nice, I'll analyse them and without criticising them will give critique. That way I don't get to say or do anything that could be mistaken as being for the wrong reason.

@Mikey; Sent you the site url so you can do your own test. As I said, the purpose of my post was not to criticise but to give constructive advice so that we can all join in a healthy debate for a change.

Thanks for the PM. I don't see the problem with naming some well designed directories in public that meet your standards though.


Jamie provided what I thought was a pretty good analysis. I'll hold off posting those comments, both 'good' and 'bad,' until I give the owner a chance to see them first (if I can get in touch with them).

Anybody know who owns Directory Mix (http://www.directorymix.com/)?

Yeah. Its Rob's very nice looking directory. (aka An0n)

[JamieG]

Thanks for the PM. I don't see the problem with naming some well designed directories in public that meet your standards though.
As I said Mikey, I'd probably get slated for being critical. Even well designed ones would have problems, as in the example I gave you. I will look through some that meet all the criteria though, and post them here and or on the blog.


[QUOTE]Yeah. Its Rob's very nice looking directory. (aka An0n)That's great you told me who it is, as Artifexus is aware, there are quite a few problems with that site despite its design, its not my intention to condemn but to offer constructive critique. :)

[mikey1090]

www.zorg-directory.com

Give me some constructive advice then :)

[JamieG]

www.zorg-directory.com

Give me some constructive advice then :)On Zorg? not a problem. Will make any findings private regardless, that will give you a chance to address anything if you need or want to. :)

[mikey1090]

No need for privacy. You can post what you like about my directory, I don't mind :)

[JamieG]

No need for privacy. You can post what you like about my directory, I don't mind :)No thanks Mike, this isn't an exercise to criticise. Its to critique and offer observation. I've p.m'd you now anyway. :)

[MeetHere]

www.zorg-directory.com

Give me some constructive advice then :)

Should I give some ? :D

[mikey1090]

Should I give some ? :D

Please do. I've already reduced some image sizes, removed the sitewide duplicate content from the latest blog posts and got rid of some white space.

[MeetHere]

Please do. I've already reduced some image sizes, removed the sitewide duplicate content from the latest blog posts and got rid of some white space.

Remove the seocontest link - its over :p
And advertise it a lot.

[JamieG]

Please do. I've already reduced some image sizes, removed the sitewide duplicate content from the latest blog posts and got rid of some white space.I've p.m'd you on other observations Mike, I hope they help. If they do please let me know. :)

[mikey1090]

Remove the seocontest link - its over :p
And advertise it a lot.

I forgot to do that. It already is advertised a fair amount, I bring in some good traffic with $0 monthly costs.

You were supposed to be commenting on my design in terms of naviagation, aesthetics and SEO.

@Jamie thanks. You mentioned stuff I've been looking into for a while like the homepage text etc.

[hyper]

maybe we should create a thread about reviews, advices & stuff like that for our section. This aims to help ourselves, and as well those who are new in this shit and need a hand.
Maybe a sticky thread about directories ( web directories only, not general like this one (http://forums.digitalpoint.com/forumdisplay.php?f=91) )...

Just an idea, don't hit me, I have good intentions :D


Thanks,
hyper :cool:

[JamieG]

maybe we should create a thread about reviews, advices & stuff like that for our section. This aims to help ourselves, and as well those who are new in this shit and need a hand.
Maybe a sticky thread about directories ( web directories only, not general like this one (http://forums.digitalpoint.com/forumdisplay.php?f=91)We already have one, this one, or do you mean sub forum? The one you pointed to is too broad, this is more specific to directories.

@Mikey; Pleasure was mine. Your directory is one of the better ones, with the fixes you already plan it can only get better.

[Artifexus]

mikey1090: Yeah. Its Rob's very nice looking directory. (aka An0n)

Thanks, Mike, I sent Rob a PM.

maybe we should create a thread about reviews, advices & stuff like that for our section. This aims to help ourselves, and as well those who are new in this shit and need a hand.
Maybe a sticky thread about directories ( web directories only, not general like this one )...

I think that's a very good idea, but I'm not sure that a new thread should be started, as this is what this thread has turned into. No stopping us from keeping doing it here for the moment.

[werewe12]

Im doing directory reviews on my blog if anyone is interested.

[hyper]

Im doing directory reviews on my blog if anyone is interested.

also review those in my sig if you have time.
Thanks :)

[JamieG]

also review those in my sig if you have time.
Thanks :)I've just done a quick review on your sites hyper, probably best not to publish the results here though unless you want me to. Nice to see other people coming into the fray to offer reviews as well, all input is appreciated and they may pick up on things I don't. :)

Let me know if you want your results published here.

[werewe12]

I dont know if DP member Stoner is still around, but hes been in the game for a while and does a pretty good review of directories.

[hyper]

I've just done a quick review on your sites hyper, probably best not to publish the results here though unless you want me to. Nice to see other people coming into the fray to offer reviews as well, all input is appreciated and they may pick up on things I don't. :)

Let me know if you want your results published here.

Sure you can make them public, I have nothing to hide :) But keep in mind that on World Links Directory I am only editor/admin and not owner. The owner is netx (http://forums.digitalpoint.com/member.php?u=97288).

[jminscoe]

I wouldn't mind some constructive critiques of my sites Deep Link (http://www.directory.jodee.biz/) | JoDees Web Directory (http://www.jodeeswebdirectory.com/) as I do want to make them better

[JamieG]

Sure you can make them public, I have nothing to hide :) But keep in mind that on World Links Directory I am only editor/admin and not owner. The owner is netx (http://forums.digitalpoint.com/member.php?u=97288).

I was looking more at your own site hyper. Based on what I found perhaps you'd rather a p.m? Nothing you can't fix though. :)

@jminscoe; will get on it after the few before you. Let myself in for some work here. :eek: :D

[nebuchadrezzar]

I see you are promoting yourself as bit of a wizkid on directories Jamie. What are you credentials?

[JamieG]

I see you are promoting yourself as bit of a wizkid on directories Jamie. What are you credentials?I'm not promoting myself as anything. As for my credentials, will working for about 12 years online with some of the best in the business, 10 of those years in the directory industry. Oh, I also have a Law degree, am training to be a barrister (taking a gap). Is that okay for you. :)

[balkanboy]

I would like to read your public reviews of directory designs in cases where owners are fine with it. Just curious to see one or two.

[JamieG]

I would like to read your public reviews of directory designs in cases where owners are fine with it. Just curious to see one or two.That shouldn't be a problem but this isn't an exercise to criticize for the sake of it. Popotalk has said he doesn't mind me making his review public, even if its bad, so when I get to it I will post it. I will always ask the site owners permission first though and give them a chance to rectify any potential errors etc. Remember balkanboy, my opinions and observations are just that, mine. :)

[Artifexus]

I know where you're coming from, Jamie, but it would be good to have these reviews publicized if the owners are ok with it.

Good for learning.

I just hope we'll be able to stay out of any pissing contests...

[JamieG]

I know where you're coming from, Jamie, but it would be good to have these reviews publicized if the owners are ok with it.

Good for learning.

I just hope we'll be able to stay out of any pissing contests...That's exactly what I want to avoid Art, I'm not reviewing to say one is better than the other or vice versa, all I'm doing is effectively analyzing the sites and giving an opinion. I've just done popotalks site and he did say I could publish it good or bad but out of common courtesy I've sent him a p.m first. Hopefully he'll let me publish it on the blog for all to see. :)

[an0n]

Jamie, that tool you use to guesstimate a websites' speed and/or performance is way way off.
You might want to state and note how they themselves are guessing/estimating for packetloss at a whopping .2 of a second per object, thus increasing those times of estimation dramatically.

[JamieG]

Jamie, that tool you use to guesstimate a websites' speed and/or performance is way way off.
You might want to state and note how they themselves are guessing/estimating for packetloss at a whopping .2 of a second per object, thus increasing those times of estimation dramatically.Good point an0n, one I have mentioned in the review on http://www.blog.cantufind.com/2008/04/08/dirsensei-web-directory-review/