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VOTE: Stop making new directories?

Discussion in 'Directories' started by EducationLinks, Aug 26, 2007.

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Should webmasters stop making new directories?

  1. Yes. There are far too many new, low-quality directories already!

    38.0%
  2. No. Let's see how far we can push Google before "Big G" devalues all privately-owned directories.

    19.0%
  3. Maybe. Creating new directories is fine, as long as each focuses on a particular niche.

    43.0%
  1. Freewebspace

    Freewebspace Notable Member

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    #81
    Why an association is flawed?

    Tell me some concrete reasons why do n't want an association.

    An Association is good when only one is the head of an association.


    Also I Do n't know why your are against Directories.

    Directories together offer better quality than Search Engines in providing good results.But Search Engines can't.

    The Need of the hour is a big directory binding all the directories together!
     
    Freewebspace, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  2. workshop

    workshop Guest

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    #82
    I think its lot simpler than anyone thinks. All we need to build is a community of committed directory masters who offer a service to users for which we are all individually accountable. What more do we need other than the right incentives.

    Unfortunately human nature and greed in particular tends to complicate matters. But nothing is impossible and we can only learn by doing stuff and making as many mistakes as we can.
    There are two sides to every coin and this is it. You cant have the one without the other. Its a bit of drag but thats life :p
     
    workshop, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  3. minstrel

    minstrel Illustrious Member

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    #83
    Have you read this thread at all? :rolleyes:

    Huh?

    I'm not. I have three of them myself... albeit small and highly selective niche directories.

    Nonsense. The number of people who use search engines far outweighs the number who use directories to find information on the web.

    Uh-huh.... the need of the hour is nothing of the sort. And if you're talking about a directory of directories, there are already several good ones that do just that and undoubtedly several more worthless ones trying to cash in on the niche occupied by the good ones. That's the way of the web.
     
    minstrel, Aug 29, 2007 IP
    The Pheonix likes this.
  4. pipes

    pipes Prominent Member

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    #84
    The thing is with any organisation is it has a tendancy to take a pyramid shape and the further you are down in each level the more your kept in the dark.

    The pawns at the bottom will be donkeys for the higher ups, at least half of people will take offence to someone else calling themselves a directory master, and a board would most likely choose itself.

    It would be like freemasonry but in the directory world, chosen ones sent in to infiltrate the community, or like the church of scientology where if you question their motives they attack you until you quit.

    I think the best approach for any directory owner, big or small, budget or premium is to be innovative, nothing like innovation to move things along on a positive path.

    Listen to your own mind, what do you think people want then work out how you can provide it, if your already doing that, try and make it better.
     
    pipes, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  5. workshop

    workshop Guest

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    #85
    I am not going to disagree with this. Look at this community, look at our industry. But thats precisely why we need to do something to change. No one is going to agree with everyone and thats why friend Minstrel has an attack of the vapours at the mere thought of it. However what he does not understand is that despite all evidence to the contrary we are not all sheep and there is no reason we cant find reasons to work together.

    I run a workshop where we specialise in low quality directories that offer webmasters who are concerned about getting value for their money the equivalent of a PR7 back link without the troublesome PR and the need renew every year. Now if I can place 50 in-house why should I not rather place 100 or 200 and farm the rest out to other directory owners who choose to work with us and add their respective skills to the pool of resources we are building? What can go wrong? Its all driven by self interest and greed. There is every incentive to make it work. I just cant see the down side.

    And being really naive I can actually see the day when a directory of quality directories does actually drive user traffic to the listed sites.
     
    workshop, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  6. Lexiseek

    Lexiseek Banned

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    #86
    There is no "we." Directory owners also own other websites. We have no need to work together. Paid directories are in the business of producing revenue, nothing more and nothing less. The only thing that binds most of us together is the desire to get paid for listings.

    Do you have a URL to any of your websites? It's getting tough to take you seriously (even though I agree with much of what you say), without you standing up, being a man, and listing one of your websites. At first you were making some decent points, but now you're bogging down in anonymous cries about "wide boys."
     
    Lexiseek, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  7. workshop

    workshop Guest

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    #87
    Sorry about that. Its difficult to keep things going without taking a few wild swipes from time to time. I have a bog standard phpld directory at www.directorymasters.net and a "student" learning to drive at www.bangkokcanals.com .
    Precisely and whilst I dont personally believe that there is anything wrong with charging annual review fees or even review fees that are a bit more realistic than the fees we charge I dont see that this should give anyone licence to cheat, to lie and to steal.

    I dont normally like going public with our sites but lets see what happens.
     
    workshop, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  8. Lexiseek

    Lexiseek Banned

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    #88
    Thanks. It just gives you a lot more credibility since you're being critical of the so-called "sacred cows" of the so-called "directory industry".

    The only reason I mentioned about the "wide boys" was because I had to look up what it meant at WikiPedia ;)

    I completely concur about the cheating, lying, and stealing. Leave that up to the big companies!
     
    Lexiseek, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  9. workshop

    workshop Guest

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    #89
    It started when I went looking for directories to build links for a couple of sites that I wanted to promote. And it did not take me long come to the conclusion that if I wanted core links that I could rely on long term I would have to set them up from scratch and thats what I am doing.

    The workshop matches school leavers battling to find work with some of the local businesses in town. I then show the business owner how to drive a directory and in some cases, a blog and they in turn then mentor the student. Our objective is to get each directory earning $250 a month which is more than enough to keep our students focused and working diligently. Then once they have the hang of it, the idea is that they will in turn become the trainers and we will just keep firing them up one after the other. We are also hoping that they will start growing their skills set and branching out into installs, web pages and ultimately coding.

    The argument I am using quite successfully with the local businesses is that we are getting some media attention and that this is free advertising for their business. I am also hoping that this will grow to the point where we get international exposure and traffic for the directories that will relieve us of our dependency on Google. Does anybody know a creative writer who does not think out of a box and who has connections?

    You didnt say anything about my empty PR N/A directories. Do you not think that those top level cats are a bargain at $5 for a review? Particularly if I can keep theM going intO year #2 and beyond.
     
    workshop, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  10. The Pheonix

    The Pheonix Banned

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    #90
    Yeah I'm slysdexic. :p
     
    The Pheonix, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  11. threebuckchuck

    threebuckchuck Peon

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    #91
    Did someone need some protection?
     
    threebuckchuck, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  12. threebuckchuck

    threebuckchuck Peon

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    #92
    While I may not FOCUS on it, a good quality directory like MINE does work to list good sites that fit these categories.

    Guess I'm saying, look in the right place and maybe you'll find what you're looking for! :D
     
    threebuckchuck, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  13. Mia

    Mia R.I.P. STEVE JOBS

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    #93
    The key here is, if you create a directory, STICK WITH IT!!! Keep it updated and fresh!
     
    Mia, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  14. indyguidedotinfo

    indyguidedotinfo Notable Member

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    #94
    if you are going to create a directory and just let it sit and rot and have 10000 pending links then no. you do not need to be running one!.
     
    indyguidedotinfo, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  15. minstrel

    minstrel Illustrious Member

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    #95
    I'd add to these two suggestions: Forget about creating another general internet directory. Their day has come and gone, like the dinosaur. Focus on niche directories and make them selective so that people may actually find them more useful than search engines.
     
    minstrel, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  16. Mia

    Mia R.I.P. STEVE JOBS

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    #96
    Good idea!!!
     
    Mia, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  17. threebuckchuck

    threebuckchuck Peon

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    #97
    The problem I see with niche directories is that they are vulnerable to people copying their content to enhance a general web directory but I do agree with your logic.
     
    threebuckchuck, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  18. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #98
    I can agree that a niche directory will in fact bring you that "targeted" audience...
    and is and will be always more relevant But the traffic to that site will be very low due to it being just for those targeted...

    If more categories are added to a general directories then would that solve the issue at hand?

    thx
    malcolm
     
    malcolm1, Aug 29, 2007 IP
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  19. popotalk

    popotalk Notable Member

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    #99
    Oh master grant that I may never seek
    So much to be consoled as to console,
    To be understood as to understand....

    :)
     
    popotalk, Aug 29, 2007 IP
  20. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #100
    Ok .... take 2 aspirins and a valum and call me in the morning :p
     
    malcolm1, Aug 29, 2007 IP