I have just made my first directory a little over three weeks ago. I have added a number of my own links, but haven't received any link submissions as of yet. It is a wedding directory so I understand it's niche, but I was just wondering from other directory creators how long it usually takes to get link submissions. I am currently attempting to do backlinks, but find it is taking a pretty long time, as you have to submit to other directories (and it can take forever to get accepted), plus writing articles for guest blogs takes a considerable amount of time as well. Does anyone have any ideas on how to promote my directory to wedding vendors in my area or how to increase SERP any faster? Thanks!Christa
You can announce your directory in the Announcement & Solicitations section of the forum. Additionally, find directory lists related to your niche and add your directory there.
A special offer and promotion in more established directory could help you kick start your directory. It is also quite a niche directory, don't expect too many submisson.
Um, no I didn't create this account just to post this, and this is a serious question to me. I simply wanted to know how long it took people with niche directories to start getting link submissions I don't appreciate your rudeness, so if you don't have anything useful to say, don't bother taking the time to comment on my post.Thanks to those of you who did reply. I have indeed submitted to a few directories and I understand that being niche won't guarentee an influx of submissions, and I'm not looking for thousands of links. I do like the idea of promotions to get more link submissions, but since my directory is local, I'm wondering if it would be worth it to advertise in a local paper or magazine. If anybody has a niche directory that could give me a few tips, it would be greatly appreciated!Thanks!
It might take years until you get regular submissions. My advice is to keep populating your directory yourself, have a few good links in each category, it makes your site more appealing to submitters and adds content and value to your site.
link submissions submitted to your directory don't have to take that long. All you need to do is to deploy useful online promotion tactics such as: a) automated social bookmarking b) article marketing c) forum postings d) unique blog commenting e) engaging with people meaningfully on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook f) including your link in video descriptions uploaded to your YouTube video channel g) e-mail capture and e-mail marketing h) and anything additionally creative that is legitimate If you do receive instantly directory submissions, chances are it is potentially spam, and the content submitted is possibly the same content that is submitted to tons of other directories, in hopes of getting instant links back to their site. You can avoid spam links submissions by writing and publishing unique articles to article directories, press release distribution, and referring to the suggestions above.
Unless and until you have PR 4+ directory, the bandwidth is going to be less. I was forced to buy VPS due to the BW cause by my PR 6 directories. To save BW, you may want to have clean code and use optimal images.
Part of it depends on how picky you are about what you are willing to list. I get a lot of wedding-related submissions on my Arts and Crafts directory. Most are garbage. Many are sites full of articles from article directories that are on a million other sites. And then, of course, are all of the India florists. (If people in India send each other as many flowers as there appear to be India florists, every home there must be full of beautiful flowers. lol) If it were mine, I'd go ahead and announce here but don't expect a lot of submissions. Also get on the directory of directories lists. They won't send you tons of traffic but every bit helps. I would also continue adding sites on my own but when I did, I would email the site owner to let them know and ask for a reciprocal link. Do it well and they might even pay to upgrade their listing or talk up your site on their own. You didn't mention if your directory is free or paid. If you start out paid with such a tight niche, I think you will spend so much time salting it that it would have been more cost effective to start out as a free directory. The key to making a successful niche directory is to create a resource that potential customers will use. Once that happens, venders will see the value of a listing on your site. It will take a while to get to that point. Good luck!