What would be the first thing to invest into when u build a directory?

Going backwards, from easier to more complicated answers...200 submissions - I'm assuming you have a general directory - others would have a better feel for this.


I guess you are asking how many submissions of your site to other directories? Do it yourself, paying others is often a losing proposition. Many of my delete without visiting the site submissions are from so-called SEO companies.



Opinions vary on that one. How many is too fast? Only Google knows and they ain't telling. You would be better off promoting the site as a new one on the forums and get some listings in place - other directory owners will be more willing to list your site if it looks like you are building a good site.


Building a good site...does usually not include using a default template. At least using one of the sponsored ones is a step in the right direction. You have to remember that whatever template you choose does become part of your brand. This forum is full of empty promises of new and better templates on thrown together sites. Whether or not that is you doesn't matter; you will be assumed guilty by association.

If you must use a default or sponsored template - at least change the colors. To be honest, if you can't at least do that I would question the idea of you starting a directory in the first place from the perspective of ability to run one as well as willing to take the time to maintain it.

If I see the default eSyndicat or phpLD template, I usually leave without submitting.

 

i receive the emails of those who approved it, if it's a good website with good design they will approve it. i already used his services and it gives good results.

this design is sold for $35
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4300/vividdirectoryfinalcopyad8.jpg

would u say it comes close to alive directory design?

thanks for this opinions. i think i will re-make the directory, get some cash in advance to do it properly.

 

By forcing submitters to click a link that is emailed to them, you are ensuring that A) the site was submitted by a human, and B) they have a valid email address. Yes, I have a paid directory (link is in my sig), but I also have some free directories. I use PHP Link Directory for all of them, and each is a bit different. For example, my free directory not only requires a vlaid email address, it also only allows you to submit Top Level Domains (try it: www.ndthunder.com). I wrote a SmartyValidate criteria that automatically checks it and rejects it if you submit a deep link or a subdomain (other than www that is). You're welcome to try and trick it out too. Those two mods make running a free directory very easy because most people who take the time to read the instructions (TLD's only and must use a valid email address) also take the time to submit their site to the right category. Spammers who submit junk like "Hey, nice site check out these sites" never use their own email address (it could be banned otherwise), and almost always rely on some loophole in a wiki or other insecure site so that their links are something like digitalpoint.com/index.php?spam=naughtysite or something similar. Implementing those two mods alone cut all the spam that my version 2.1 directory received.

Oh, and that is a nice looking template. One of these days I need to get around to fixing my templates...

 

ok thanks, do u allow image verification on submission?
also, in this article: http://www.alivedirectory.com/blog/2007/08/07/comprehensive-tips-and-guide-for-web-directory-owners/
he recommends not to use image verification, so i was thinking he would recommend not to use email verification as well. any answer from the owner of this article would be appreciated.
and yea i am just ordering a custom design for $65 PSD only, it should be good as hall. will update this thread.

 

I don't use image verification on the directories that require email verification. I strongly suspect he would argue against email verification on directories too since his arguement against image verification has to do with the amount of time it takes to submit a site. This mod does require an extra step, but this is MY directory. If mass submitters don't like it, there are hundreds of other submitters who are obviously ok with it. This link is my "product"...they can "buy" it or not. So, even though some may not like the extra step, they'll have to put up with it if they want a link in my directory. I only have so much time on my hands, and spending it deleting spam that is preventable is a waste of my time.

 

All promotions aside...if you just "finished" building your directory, I would take a second and third look at the category structure. If it's not somewhat original and scalable...then you'll have problems later

"Somewhat" original meaning that there are way to many directories out there to be entirely unique, but several cats that are original or different will go along way.

"Scalable" meaning try to be as broad as possible from the start and then add new, more focused, categories as people submit.

Trust me...time spent in the beginning will save time and then some in the end

 

This is how i would go:

Unique design : 100-250$ - You could get it cheaper below 75$ too (the design u link previously is quite good)
Getting it coded for PHPld : upto 85 $
Getting a few mods (free as well as paid), however i would recommend this as a must http://www.ripenapples.com/wordpress/ripenapplescom-payment-system-for-phpld/11/ : 70- 100$
Free web directory Submissions : 100$
Buying PR sitewide links (i play my cards here) : depends on ur budget
Buying directory links: depends on ur budget

Then, once you are set you can go about releasing free templates (its getting more and more difficult to promote a free template as they are too many good design being release every week)

A budget of 1500 - 2000 $ would be good enough for me to get started, and then once the sales pick up more money can be reinvested

 

very well said there..if one intends to start a professional directory or really wants something..it needs to be way beyond the default ld template, its becoming so common nowadays,

everyone is starting a directory, standing out and getting good advertisement is the way to go..

 

ok so u use or this or this because u do not want to scare people away.
would u suggest to make my directory free or paid? i mean if i invest cash in it, and it is good looking one then people will buy a cheap links even if it's PR0, would u sell links on PR 0 directory?

yes you are right, i have started the directory and got about 300 submissions, i am planning to reset it to 0 and start over. i am using PHPLD category generator, would u suggest to use this tool and then edit categories that you do not like, etc. or add new categories or sub categories?

luckily i know a coder that can doe for $40-$50. did u get the payment mod for free? do u use the category generator mod? i saw here a list of recommended mods somewhere....

 

START STARTING:

If it's your first DIR as well. I'd save the $ on a custom template take one that is pre made but make a custom header and obviously leave the footer links intact.

Get a deeplinks mod if it is not already installed with the script you chose.

Than start populating the directory.

Note you really haven't spent much money yet have you? I'd say get your DIR ready for the show room before you start spending lots of $ on promotion.

That way if you loose interest before your done it cost you almost nothing and if you do all your setup before promoting you will have better conversion rates.

 

i am now working with a designer for a custom template for $65 PSD only so it will be long run template that i will use. after that i am planning to install the script again and use mods, buy mods, etc make it ready to go. and then show it to the public, get opinions and only after that start publishing it.

 

Nope you will need to buy it from, http://forums.digitalpoint.com/member.php?u=59057

 

There are 2 ways to launch a directory. Most used and recommended technique

1. Explosive promotion, huge spend, great capital, great design, branding ,launch with a bang

the second technique is least used but very effective.

2. host your directory with a great design. Do not promote it for getting submissions. Build back links and try to get a pr 5 or pr 6 within the next google update[ difficult, but possible]

Once you have such a high pr go for promotion . You will get both free and paid submissions . offer some coupons.

Choose your method and follow it.

best wishes
Rajanmr

 

i think that is a good point of view u have here,
is it possible to achieve good PR within 2-3 month?
i mean what the purpose of all the submissions if your directory stays PR 0 and thus u would never get paid links....

 

Ya it is possible to achieve good pr in 3 months. The key is that you start your directory just before the update.

consider google updates pr in the months jan and april.

start your dir by dec 20 th and work for 4 months to gain pr. It is quite possible to get pr-5 by april update.

 

invest in something like this so that when sites like this remove your links EARLY, you know about it.

 

Hey Kiviniar, I appreciate your recommendation. The price is $40 and $20 for the install. I know its not on the blog post, but won't put it there until I revamp.

And, like a few others already said on this post...I would think it be best to invest in a unique template first if you can, if not a free template will do just as well. But It already seems like you already got that in check, so best of luck with it and to your new directory.

Thanks

 

The first thing your should spend on is your branding and design. You need to create a unique style and signature for your directory to be recognized later on down the road.

 

very nice link checker tool.
thanks

 

Ah your link is gone. Gotta go cross out more.

And btw check before you accuse indexwide links are still there. indexsniff EXPIRED. bah.bah. siz bum bah.

From: (anon)Roberto Campoamor ID #74352019DS4201027
May 18, 2007 dump, bid, linkdirectory

From: (anon) Roberto Campoamor ID #5XS82267XS366663R
May 2, 2007 linkdirectory.ws webdirectorybid.com

From: (anon) Roberto Campoamor ID #5KG18662U0944122A
May 2, 2007 webdirectorybid.com linkdirectory.ws
Comes with a Message:

I am greedy and want TWO.





Goodbye.