I've decided to clean up my newly bought directory and start from scratch. Previously the site was running on Link Department Pro. Now I've bought a phpLD 3.1 license, hence I cannot use the current categories. Can anyone please tell me where to get a free database of general categories? Also can someone provide me a link to a free phpld email template site?
I'd make your own from scratch if I were you. If you don't have that many just make new ones when you get appropriate submissions. If you "changed the wording" for every category I think you'd do much better on search overall.
Hmm - you purchased a directory and you are starting over? (as in changing all the folder and file locations)? I would definitely not do this because you will be loosing all backlinks and PR on them pages then. What I would do is try to convert the DB
If I can get a already filled database, then it is easy for me to add the descriptions for each categories. It was PR4 when I bought it. But I lost the PageRank after the last Google update. And I got an infraction for starting a thread about it in the wrong category. The previous directory was running on a script created in 2005. The links were not SE friendly. So now there is nothing left to lose for me.
OK then write your own unique categories and set a marker of individuality to your directory And make sure you DO NOT fill the submissions with 'cut n paste' or 'scrape' content
I mean instead of having "Travel" make it "Travel Destinations" or "Travel Related Sites" or anything other than everyone else. Then alsomake a unique description. It will take time I still have to for someof my dir's but in the end it's worth it. If nto you can spend your time approving submissions for a DIR that will max out at PR4 or PR5 w/ minimal search traffic and basically only other webmaster hits looking for a free backlink
Thanks a lot for your advice. I've made up my mind to work hard on the directory. Do you think it is a good idea to post in DP allowing free submission to the directory? Also can you plz suggest some resources on optimizing / promoting the directory?
I'd allow submission here to START populating the directory. I bet when you submit here though you mainly get Directories lol so really break that area down. You need SOME free submissions to get going. No one wants to pay to a barren site. Also work on your PR as that is one of the main factors you'll use to sell links. I think it was Malcolm1 who said it best "FREE submissions and PERMANENT listings " are the death of directories. I"d take ~100-500 free submissions that are GOOOD. Nuke the rest. The ones you take CHANGE every description so your not competing with all the other sites as msot people use same description everywhere. That's my $0.02 good luck. P.S Submitting to mY directories directory helps too lol
I know this is fo no value to you. But still to show my gratitude, I'll give all those who have posted in this thread above a free featured listing for 3 site for three months in my directory. Please PM me the details if you are interested .