I have a site that's a poorly planned, failing, trainwreck nightmare. I want out. Thing is though, I could easily convert it into something that I'm happy with. The domain would work for it, and the niche is somewhat related to what it already is. Here's the problem though, recently I've spent a good bit of money getting it listed in some premium directories, and so I'm stuck. What if I were to contact these directory owners about my listing to say I want to change my site into something different and could I change my listing? Would I be told to take a hike, or would they perhaps oblige? I realize different directory owners will react differently, but I'm just looking for a general idea of what I can expect.
We would welcome a request like this for it keeps up the quality of the directory itself and stops your site from getting banned from our directory. That goes to say especially for sites that are active and not just taking up space on the net.
It would be fine by me to make the appropriate changes to your listing, if you had submitted to my directory. Most of the owners will also do the same I think. But I have a question. You said you submitted to some high quality directories. That means you spend a good amount of money on something that you weren't sure about. I think you should first decide what you want to do, what kind of site you want and then start investing on it. Otherwise you will lose much money and time and end up with less, no matter if directory owners help you or not. Just a friendly piece of advice.
Certainly, with private directories an even the larger commercial one, they're very eager to help their clients.
If you were listed with me and sent me an email, I'd be happy to change it. If I was reviewing later and found it changed, I would be suspicious.
Be careful of changing from a website that conforms with most directories guidelines, to one that doesn't. Many editors won't take kindly to something that changes from pets to porn, for instance, or from real content to MFA, and this could get your website removed without refund. This sort of thing is the favourite practice of less ethical webmasters.
I think by converting the site to a topic you have a passion for it has a better chance to succeed; it doesn't sound like you're trying to deceive anyone and I'd guess that most directory owners would likely be receptive to your change request. If you're listed in any of our directories, we would be glad to review the new content and as long as it complies with out guidelines, we would update it accordingly (title, description, category). Having a site properly classified and described is of benefit to the directory owner as well.
I would do it once... but if I were contacted every few months I would not. ^^ Obelia "from pets to porn" LOL Thats quite a switch I would delete the listing in a heartbeat in that case...
if directory owners are real businessman, they would certainly entertain you. However, i think your biggest problem are not the owners, but rather the need to contact them one at a time. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice. I agree with what you say. I was not thinking clearly about things really. I was thinking that I needed to promote and get more traffic and stuff, but what's the point, if what I'm doing sucks. And I was thinking that I would figure out a way to make it unsuck, but it's not happening. Thank you. Yeah it's a PITA, but it's better than throwing hundreds of dollars down the drain.
if you have paid for the listing then surely they will modify the details but in the free one i am not sure one would modify it.