hello, im planning to start a free directory website. but i don't know how difficult it is. and i don't know how expensive. anybody knows how much would be the expected expenses? i have my programmer friends ,but of course , i have to make a research prior to that. thanks
It can be absolutely free if you want it to be, free script, ours is good, free hosting, there are some out there that do that, you can submit and promote yourself so no outlay except for time. Don't get sucked into believing that you need to have anything other than a basic directory script to start with, you don't. Work on the basics first, choose a good niche that you are familiar with as this always helps. If you need any help or advice feel free to p.m me, I'll help as much as possible, and that's regardless of what script you choose.
$25 script from phplinkdirectory.com, plus pay the extra $10 for the supporters forum. Have someone help you with a good category dump (category with no listings), this way you won't have to add categories manually. Also, you will have a good structure for submitting for lifetime. A decent host will cost you around $10 a month. Try bluehost.com or hostgator.com, but you have to pay yearly. They allow you to host unlimited sites. Get a good domain name for your directory. Something catchy. It does not have to have "dir" or "directory" in the domain name. The list your site at directorycritic.com and info.vilesilencer.com. You'll get a lot of submissions, many from other directories. Build links to your site by submitting to other directories. Check the list in my sig or use software (digixmas.com for $15). Probably some other stuff I am missing, but this gives you an idea of costs. About $150 gets you up and running for a year. Good luck
Everything he said above except "niche" as theres way to many generals and not enough niche directories ... thx malcolm
I'd say there are actually millions of niche directories waiting for their owners to understand this and start promoting them. Every general directory owner have at least 12 or more main categories - these are actually niche directories which wait to be promoted. This is the beauty of a general directory - you actually own several mini niche directories. If all these categories would be developed and promoted as niches there will be much more to gain from a general web directory than any other niche directory in the world. Rather than promoting a general web directory as a whole, it would be brilliant if people will start promoting their categories. That would mean more work, more strength, more diversity, more benefits (any kind of) Just my 2c
I don' think you can transfer the licence or sell it without the owners permission David duval I think it is. @JessieJames27; Many people will pretty much dive on you begging you to get phpld because it has a rather over-enthusiastic following here. I'd advise you to look at many other scripts first before jumping in. You'll notice I won't shove the phpLynx script down your throat even though it is IMHO far better than phpld but that ins't my purpose on this forum and it would be unfair on you. My interest is to see you get set up correctly and with as little outlay as possible, I wish you well whatever path you choose.
check this post that I made some months back on starting a web directory http://www.directorytotal.com/how-to-start-a-web-directory/
If you mean getting programmer friends to create one for you then i dont know, but if you mean using a ready made script, then it will cost between nothing and dirt cheap. Expenses will be of your time if you stick with the free directory idea, if you do it properly.
Can you expand on that for all of us because I for one don't agree that it's the best available, far from it actually.
Fair enough, but it really was just a legitimate question which would have benefitted the OP which is what we should all be caring about after all.
thank you for those replies.. i will observe your replies and make the best move for my directory.. hmm.. still thinking.
HI When you have your directory up and running why not post the url here and share it with fellow DP users.. Thanks Tom Dahne
Yes, post your directory in solicitations and announcements, and I will post it on my directory list if it is a free directory.
Dan, I have been there, done that and I am wearing the T-Shirt. Its not easy. Its like trying to run 12 directories at once. Not possible. It would be like trying to raise 12 children at once and keeping them all perfect, happy and healthy. One or more children will suffer from lack of attention. Running 1 niche directory is a lot easier than trying to promote 12 categories of a general directory. Trust me. I have tried.
1,buy yourself a domain; 2,buy yourself a hosting; 3,buy yourself the directory script; 4,install the script and do some adjust. Your new directory will be there.