With so much confusion going on --and so much battering of our industry -by some webmasters and SEOs - I have tried to answer them on my Blog Post Web Directory – Still Indispensable For SEO And It Still Rocks In the post - I tried to explain the problem created by those QBCs - with dropped domains, how to differentiate an established directory from a QBC directory, how to judge quality directories -- and some more. My objective is to try to make SEOs and webmasters understand the malice and help them find quality directories. On the other-hand I also tried to answer one of the most common allegations against web directories --of not providing enough traffic to sites listed. All your comments and criticisms are welcome for my post. PS: - I am using Matt Cutts comments on directories --again and again so that it gets high visibility and webmasters understand that --Google still gives high importance to web directories --though it is now looking for only quality directories.
Hello... How dare you post something like that knowing dam well you have so many people here trying to cause a downword spiral that they will never accomplish Very well done as it explains to those who dont know ... thx malcolm
I havent seen anyone knocking directories. Although there have been a lot of questions raised about directory owners who are tearing the ring out of the industry. Is this the same thing or have I missed the threads you are talking about? No question about it directories are still a very powerful tool for webmasters who want to imporove their visibility on the seach engines. If you are talking about attrition its already started and any damage that is being done is all self inflicted. Some will tighten their belts whilst others will go back to grave robbing.
i am thinking of creating a "is this a QBC directory" tool. It would check domain age, check the last PR update, and check the domains age. it would tell you within seconds if the domain was dropped and if the directory had fake PR. i agree with your post. webmasters still need to submit to directories. the possibility of traffic from google is too good to miss, and directories give quality backlinks that can lead to more google traffic.
I agree as well. Webmasters will keep using directories as a source for their clients because of the possible traffic and relevance it will pass to website.
Big thank you friends. I was very nervous if my peers would like it - specially the traffic point. I tried to explain it from my point of view and its the actual case I think. Some fools want direct traffic from directory listings. They completely overlook the traffic they get from Search Engines which have been possible because of directories. Thanks again. You are also welcome to comment on my blog.
Hello... Was not referring to you actually as i enjoyed our chat their have been many threads in all parts off the forum with less then appropriate titles as well as trolls trying to get attention. This is what i was referring too thx malcolm
I still submit to paid directories on a regular basis and a few free ones. It is a great way to help new sites get indexed quickly (with relevant anchor text) and can help older more established sites get ranked for important, relevant keywords. Some directories even send me a bit if traffic which is a nice bonus. The cost of link building via directories is very low compared to buying site-wides or spending hours upon hours trying to trade links or gain one-way links via email campaigns.
You have got to be blind to knock directories. They are the most accessible and easiest way of building back links. But if we dont start asking those questions that need to be asked its going to get a lot more difficult. Its far too easy to write different peoples ideas off as heresy and that was the way that last thread was going before we got started.
Yeah I agree with you on a lot of ideas you have and your enjoying I suppose as your mature enough to post actual facts, while doing this it seems your also a native english speaker so if you could just go out and not hide on that curtain I would appreciate it very much. Dupe accounts are already rampant in this forum and my advise is its much better to use the original and speak openly.
Thanks to all for your appreciation. I have submitted the story on Slashdot & Digg - and added the buttons on the bottom of the story. If you really like the story - please spend few seconds by supporting it. Regards.
So when I wanna be page one Google for something like "Costa Rica", can I do that by investing a few grand into it?
You don't need a few grand --listing in many directories. People might be surprised to know that - the long term return negates the immediate gain that SEOs can bring through viral marketing. A smal or medium size company can not keep SEOs all the time to bring in good traffic. The moment you stop viral marketing --your traffic starts decreasing. On the other-hand -web directories are a long-term investment and a better --stable future on SERPs. They give you steady flow of traffic themselves ( I acknowledged in my post -a single directory might not send enough) -- but together they can give you multiple benefits and all those are permanent and come at a fraction of fees paid to big SEO firms.
It depends on the nature of the site. But, remember link building is not limited to directories only. Directory submission is one important component of link building. You should also give equal importance to get natural links as well as links from articles and other relevent, & authoritive sites.
Rather invest a little time and a lot of patience. Start with the free directories and lurk on these type of forums until you have a feel for where you want to go. What you are looking for are a few established niche travel directories and when you find them start spending some money. But above all else try to understand what you are wanting to achieve. You must also understand that once you get started you dont stop. Build on your knowledge and the mistakes you are going to make.