I'm creating a thread to possibly gather information on how to promote a directory . I'm been having problems getting my directory off the ground, I get 2 - 3 sales a day and I'm looking to promote it some and increase sales. Can fellow members perhaps share advice on how one can promote a directory? Maybe you have had some past experience on a particular type of marketing? Feel free to share whatever you know to help me and others who'll read this thread.
A very common question; my tips would be make sure that you have nice content on your web directory and that it attracts a user before going through the promotion stage. As for promotion, I would say drive lots of traffic to your web directory (traffic is a must!), use your directory on your signature (just noticed that you don't use it). Going through forums, especially webmaster related forums can certainly boost your sales and give you some targeted traffic. DP is a great forum to boost your sales, and drive some extra traffic. Submission to directories always is a great benefit, though do it slowly and naturally. Don't go the 'fast-way' as this can damage your directory more than you think - and a great tip is let it look and grow natural. Regards, Meti
It is hard to advise what to do, if you don't state what yor doing now, the tips already given have been good. Here is a general guide, have say 3 options running at one time, this allows you to compare strategies ( this may be one ad worded 3 ways for example or 3 seperate things ) give them time to settle in evaluate all 3 then study why the top one worked and improve upon it adding those changes to the number 2 ad as well if needed Study option 3 or the worst one and see why it did not work, remove these elements from 1 and 2 if present. ditch number 3 add and create a new ad based on your findings, let it run and settle again then repeat as above. after time you will get very good at what you do and the number runnig can be 5, 7 or any number. Concistancy is a big factor in any campaign ( IMO ) rather than run a large campaign over a short period, run a smaller campiagn over a longer period. for example use a sponsered section in a good directory for a year , land on the front page in a prime spot, and you get what you pay for so select quality directories. look at your product first, do not waste a cent promoting your product unless you have it neat clean and tidy, instead spend money on that first if needed, spending money to drive people to a product that is not presented well is wasting money. could rabbit for hours but need some sleep
There are a lot of threads like yours here on dp.. just do a search. To be on topic, the best advice is to get traffic. Because traffic is money. More traffic, more submissions, more revenue.. Of course, targeted traffic is even better, try advertising on other directories or directory related sites and even webmaster forums.
Its not rocket science but it is hard work and it is necessary to put in hard work 365/24/7 Some may have easier ways but time spent working on marketing and promoting does pay off in the medium to long term timeline
Hey can u write about my DJ in your thread. We got some useful directory lists, kind of different from the other lists out there, I guess that could be directory promotion. thx
You are doing fine. But don't start spending $$$ you cant afford to kiss bye bye to. Buyers are looking for long term value so ask yourself what it is that makes your directory different and offers buyers value for the time they spend looking for you. Take a look at the directory in my signature. Its different, it contains quality content and offers real long term value but all I have managed to do on this forum is to attract flies to sh*t. However we do have a pool of emerging directories, we offer a replacement warranty for links that get accepted and we have a list of participating directory masters that we give out to buyers when we get enquiries. If you would like me to add your site PM me. It could work for both of us
heeheh, u know I like this guy, But he's got some free promotion right there. Hey do u accept directory of directories too like my DJ in your Directory Rate?
Wayner; that is a great system. I wish you all success - just added one of my directories, thanks for the opportunity. Sorry for going off-topic, though. Regards, Meti
Going a bit off-topic but... thanks, all directories are welcome, including directory of directories such as DJ... assuming of course it cuts the mustard
I suggest a submission service...it will boost your traffic right away......personally I've tryed several but this is the best I got my hands on.........great offer and professionalism http://www.pegasusdirectory.com/directorysubmission.php
-- Promote , promote and promote.. --- buy banner or text ads from related sites - forums, blogs and directories --- buy signature links from webmaster forums --- buy avatars from webmaster forums
The last thing you want to do is feed the machine and draw attention to yourself by engaging in dodgy practices. Keep it clean. You don't need thousands of links. Dare to be different. Google's spiders will find you and they will index your pages. That's all you need for link bait. Thereafter you need to go looking for the buyers and although this market is more about who you know, its changing. Buyers loyalty only goes so far. If there is any question about a directories ability to deliver long term value they will start looking for alternatives. That's why Google's unexpected ambush took them by surprise and why its having such a positive result. The market is in disarray and no one is quite sure whether the axe is going to fall or not. Its levelling the playing field and giving you the opportunity to go public and make a statement about the future of your directory.
workshop no axe is going to fall, its just what recently happend has created good feedback for directory owners in general. I dont think you would of recently entered the directory business yourself if you thought the whole thing was going to collapse, with all respect.
New to DP but not new to directories. I have two or three years under my belt already. But you are right. I am very positive about the future and hope like hell that Google understands that the only thing that will change this industry is a baseball bat.
Well baseball aint my thing, im british, but regarding directories i think its safe to say that not all directories are doing the same, plenty of different approaches, i think that what you really dont want to see is clones, therefore it is essential to respect that people cant be expected to fall into line incase they upset another webmaster and as much as you may want to see specific things happen it really is a case of people taking care of their own businesses, that as a minimum must be recognised and absorbed.
As long as they understand that we all exist and survive because we have a special relationship with Google they are free to do whatever they like. However abuse of the system the way Aviva has been abusing the system does have repercussions and that needs to be understood very clearly.