I submitted a few sites to botw.org to take advantage of a discount offer as there's going to be a price increase on Sept. 1. I find myself disappointed with one submission as it was rejected today due to lack of content (not sure if the phrase was substantive, unique or otherwise). Not much more info was provided regarding the rejection. Bummer, bummer, bummer. I'll accept the editors decision - it's all subjective, so there's no point to arguing and I'm sure we'll share differing points of view. What I'm disappointed with is prior to submitting this site, I reviewed the current listings and there is more content within the site I submitted than some already listed. One of those is a Sponsored Listing - not sure if that had any bearing on their review/acceptance or not so I won't comment. I can't say how thorough a review the site was given - you can't identify the visitor as no referrer from the directory shows up in the log files. I'm aware that I can appeal the editor's decision within 30 days and have the site reviewed again. Only problem with that is if it's rejected a second time, it's no longer eligible for a listing at any time in the future. As it has been rejected once, what's to say it wouldn't be a second time? It may not be to my benefit, but I wonder if a different editor might review the site the second time around or am I taking my chances with the same editor? Now I guess I'll need to figure out how to substitute a site (convert an annual listing to a lifetime listing) so I'm not out the review fee. If anyone else has done this, let me know. While unrelated, the site was accepted by Yahoo
Sorry to hear about it. Upon review and denial, your submission fee in not refunded, correct? edit: my bad, just read the last sentence So there is light on the other side
CReed - Sorry to hear about the decision. While we never like rejecting sites, quality is always our primary focus and we work really hard to ensure the integrity of the directory. All our editors follow a strict set of guidelines so if you resubmit as is it will most likely be rejected again. You do have 30 days to appeal the decision so I would recommend either submitting a replacement site for review, or bulking up the site with some more original content and resubmitting. Also, I wouldn't worry about getting blacklisted or anything if the site is rejected a second time. We understand sites change and new sites take time to develop, so just because it is rejected now doesn't mean it will never receive a listing in the directory.
I've really got no problems with the decision, it's just difficult to accept especially knowing that I did research the existing lisitngs and found 2 with less content before I submitted - maybe the editors were feeling a bit generous that day as I doubt signing up for a sponsored listing would influence the review. I'll probably submit a substitue url, most likely one that is set to an annual fee. Good chance to convert it to a permanent listing. Appreciate your response.
I was getting ready to take advantage of the discount too but read in the minimum site criteria that "blogs" are not welcome. Does this mean all Wordpress sites need not apply? I use Wordpress but my sites aren't personal diary-type blogs. Like to get some clarification before risking $100+.
As with any paid directory, you need to weigh the offer and terms out for yourself. Some are tough, and others are tougher still when it comes to getting listed. Remember, it's a great big pond out there and getting bigger everyday. People tend to rave today and curse tomorrow. Value is in the hands of the one spending the money. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.
Thanks Rod. All is not lost as it gives us the opportunity to convert one listing that has an annual recurring fee/review to a lifetime review. No animosity - as I mentioned before I accept the editors decision, but I'm disappointed.
I also submitted to BOTW my directory let’s see how it goes, I have looked in the listed sites, and some are very bad in terms of content including directories that use DMOZ listings and sites that don’t work (I don’t know if it’s temporary).
! Ask !, Good luck on your directory submission. I submitted one of my sites (www.portprophecy.com) a week or so ago, and it was rejected. I recieved the following via email: Like you I had reviewed some of the sites listed, and I agree...many are not so good. Not sure how my site gets rejected and some of the ones listed get in. I fell like almost like I was tricked. Oh well. Their directory, so they can accept and reject whoever for whatever. Live and learn.
Yes, everyone is getting this, but what type of unique content are they talking about? I didn’t see any unique content on the directories listed.. Some of the listed directories are really crappy, then don’t even have a “unique design†they use standard skin like this one http://www.goomble.com/ Others simply don’t work like this one http://www.dirone.com/ and there are like 5 of then with PR0 probably Google penalization. So everything looks good
Yes, I noticed that one. It is certainly unique...uniquely bad. Not sure how that got through with their strict standards. Maybe an editor's site?
Sorry to hear that your directory was rejected. Hope you're not our the fee - from reading the reponse in an earlier post, it sounds like they really don't reconsider appeals. I'm pretty much finished with submissions to BOTW. The sites were submitted via a resellers affiliate link, and they haven't seen them noted on their account.
Yea, I will resubmit in a couple weeks and hope for the best, but I 'm not really expecting to get in on an appeal. I am resigned to the fact that money is gone. In the future, I will spend my money elsewhere.
Bah! I didn't pay that money to submit another site. I will appeal with the same site. If it is rejected and they take my money, oh well! At least I have something to b*tch and moan about on the forums.