Ok, I had an idea for a site, and a name for the site, but did not know how to implement it until I found out about link directory scripts. So I set up a niche directory for the industry I work in , But this industry is not very web savvy, as most of their websites are from the 1970’s and they are not exactly out looking for directories to be listed in. So my question is in marketing my directory to the the companies? Should I email them about the directory? There are some trade publications but the cost of an ad to return on investment might not pencil out. Any suggestions would be helpful and appreciated, Thanks in advance.
First you must submit YOUR directory to other web directories and Gain PR and backlinks so that you offer these others something other then just a link You can still send thm your info and regardless of review and inclusion costs if it is relevent to thier sites then they should submit.. thx malcolm
I think it's too niche, and probably people in that industry aren't very web savvy. You could change strategy and market it as a builder's or joiner's directory.
give them the option of using the detail page as their presence on the net if the industry you are working within arent even online then thats your hook and for who already is online you can offer traffic and adding their contact information, opening hours etc
I believe you are right about being to niche, and I am submitting to directories now, but I might, as you say Have to change strategy. Thanks for the input so far everyone.
Who knows, you might be the first to actually start the whole "directory" concept for your non-web-savvy counterparts. Why not give it a go, list the sites of some of larger sites then send an invitation email or even a phone call to the smaller boys asking them to list your directory. With any luck since you're probably the first to try it in your niche more and more people might just log-on to find contacts. At that point you can start charging for submissions. May be a long-shot but who knows right?
If your targetting a real niche, and a real market. Build your website to make it look presentable to those who visit and make sure there are sufficient search functions to search for this product or whatever. Say you are targetting plumber companies... you want your potential client to know that if they pay £300/year there going to get atleast one customer from this to make that back. So basically, you do whatever you can to get traffic for search terms e.g. 'Plumbers in London'. Use adwords, or organic search optimisation to get those hits for that term. Then they goto your website, see a list of plumbers in London. And theere we gooo. edit: urggh I don't think i read the post properly