What is a Web Directory ? Could Some Define in Specific Terms

As more and more directory is coming out and more MODS for web directories I just need a good definition by owners. What is a web directory ? Does all the MODS that are being created necessary for a web directory ? Is it really the MODS that we are after or are we there to please our submitters to give them the value of what they pay for ? Don't get me wrong people as I have MODS too on my directories but overdoing a MOD is that like SPAMMING your own directory ? I find some good directories without them yet they rank well.

Appreciate your opinions.

Thanks

 

I know some Nos of directory

Directory is not a place to advertise other sites products and services.

Directory is not a site copy.

 

It's easier to define it negatively. It's not a search engine, so there must be some element of human selection in the listings, rather than some free-for-all. It's not just a word-cloud website, so there should be some description involved, however brief, of where you are going to end up when you click a link.

It doesn't have to list websites, it's still a directory if it just lists company details, products, and so on, even if there is no web presence.

Another thing is, there should be categorisation. So long as you have the elements of human review, descriptions and categorisation, it's a directory. It's only when all the mods and add-ons interfere with the basics that there's a problem calling it a directory any more.

 

Thanks and that is one nice description and explanation.

 

Well, the way i see it, is a Directory is like an online yellow pages but they are always in danger of becomming your free local paper that is packed with leaflets and junk that you dont want.

Some mods are just silly, pointless, taking up room and of no use to the submitters.

I do embrace mods, currently i have 22 mods installed on one of my directories and have more to install yet but i feel i have been selective still.

 

True and as I see it some owners put emphasis on these rather than improving the contents and standard of the directory which in my opinion are more of like SPAMMING your own directory with different sets. I just dont know at this point if all of this is necessary. Maybe some are acceptable but most coming out already are junks and it looks awful already. Its like already putting a MAKE UP in a MALE and wearing a Panty Hose.

Besides since Google is cracking down on SPAMMY and Unquestionable things maybe this one should get an attention as one MOD is already banned.

 

I do not own directory (yet ).

But my guess is the only mods for paid directories that should be installed are those from which client can benefit, for example custom meta tags.

 

See the Article written here.

 

Jude good debate you started

I think Web Directory is collection of quality webs with classification according to niche they belong to. Yes Directories are not meant to be paid but it is important for a direcctory gives its visitor what he or she is looking for.

 

Some directories have far too many mods that can spoil a directory and the values it has. Proof in the pudding is allbouthomes.ca it has a page rank of 6 using the free version of the phpLynx script no mods just everything that goes with the package. This guy skinned it himself so apart from graft it cost him nought.

Make your own minds up.

 

to me a web directory is pretty simple. its a directory on the web.

what youre providing to the public is a list of relevant sites deemed useful after review. that to me is the basic definition of a web directory

there are ways to make money off a web directory.

if you can provide relevant sites to the public, and cutting down their search time. you will generate users who will frequent your directory. by doing so you can start to charge money for ad space

another way among many other options...

the higher your standards are and the more exclusive you are to site inclusions, the more you can charge for review fees. as you will only accept relevant websites that wont dilute the credibility of your directory.

just my 2 c

 

Hello...

Wikipedia descrips as such....

A web directory is a directory on the World Wide Web. It specializes in linking to other web sites and categorizing those links. A web directory is not a search engine, and does not display lists of web pages based on keywords, instead it lists web sites by category and subcategory. The categorization is usually based on the whole web site, rather than one page or a set of keywords, and sites are often limited to inclusion in only one or two categories. Web directories often allow site owners to directly submit their site for inclusion, and have editors review submissions for fitness. Some directories are very general in scope and list websites across a wide range of categories, regions and languages. But there is a wide range, and many focus on restricted regions and single languages. Some are restricted to specialist fields. Examples of well known, general, web directories are Yahoo Directory and the DMOZ. A debate over the quality of directories and databases continues, as search engines use content without real integration, and some experiment using clustering. There have been many attempts to make directory development easier, whether using a "links for all" type link submission site using a script, or any number of available PHP portals and programs.

thx
malcolm

 

Spot on Vinny, a directory is just that, simple and relevant and that's probably the point popotalk was making. No need for overdoing it with unecessary mods that add little value to that listing, list a link, show a link kind of thing, more importantly relevance.

@malcolm, The Wilkpeadia description of a web directory is flawed as most web directories do contain a search engine that actively searches the directory using 'keyword' searching of the directory which produces matching results to the 'keyword' searched for.

 

Nice reply The Phoenix. Here is part of the article.

 

That is a really really valid point Jude. Thanks for the read. (I read it earlier)
ring ring...

 

Thanks popotalk, its easy to give a 'nice reply' when the initial question/point makes it easy. Any chance of seeing the whole article as it looks an interesting read with good valid points.

 

No, there are a lot of uses for mods which purely benefit the directory owner, for managing the submission queue and undesirable submissions. These might not make a directory look in any way different on the outside, but in terms of making it easier to run and free of spam, there can be a huge difference.

It's this sort of mod that can blur the lines between a directory and a search engine, because you can go from reviewing every entry manually, to filtering things out with a bot, for example with word bans and IP or email blocking.

 

The features you mention Obelia should already be part and parcel of any good directory script, I think popotalk was talking more of the more gimmicky mods out there that do little for the enhancement of a directory for the end user, which after all is the most important aspect to consider.

I may be wrong though?

 

the official answer is here

 

That's not an 'Official' source just well quoted, I already posted thier defintion of a web directory is FLAWED. Read one of my previous responses.