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Is niche really it for directories?

Discussion in 'Directories' started by swedal, Jul 7, 2008.

  1. #1
    Let’s try to get a thread going that can lead to some quality discussion on niche vs general directories.

    I know that niche seems to be the buzzword lately in directories and I agree that there are opportunities in niche like anywhere if you build a site that people will want to visit.

    Here are a couple of my thoughts on niche vs general directories to get it going.

    The thing that seems to be touted mostly for niche directories vs general is that niche will send more traffic to listings but is that really the case?

    Niche will naturally bring more targeted visitors to the directory which also means less directory visitors. Doesn’t it then stand to reason that with a smaller number of visitors to the directory there is a smaller opportunity for those visitors to be redirected to a site listed there?

    Sure one can say that because the directory is niche there will be less listing’s for visitors to choose from which results in more clicks to the listed sites. But with the smaller amount of traffic received by niche directories to redirect to their listings at best a niche directory will come out equal to a general directory in traffic pushed out to listed sites.

    One thing I think niche does offer the directory owner is different ways to monetize a directory. For example, it has been pointed out by others that niche directories get more adsense clicks which are also more targeted.

    I have more thoughts on this but this should be enough to get it going.

    One thing to add – This thread is NOT about individual scripts so don’t bring it here. Plus if you want to tout your opinions as facts – cite the sources of your “facts” otherwise keep them as the opinions they really are and everyone is entitled to theirs.
     
    swedal, Jul 7, 2008 IP
    priyakochin and centime like this.
  2. priyakochin

    priyakochin Banned

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    #2
    Niche directory links have more value than general directory links.
     
    priyakochin, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  3. swedal

    swedal Notable Member

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    #3
    And do you have a source for your opinion?

    I understand that you feel because of a niche directory being related to the listings there it may have more value because of relevance.

    Isn't a general directory a collection of niche directories with each niche being able to offer that same relevance to a listing?
     
    swedal, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  4. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #4
    At the moment we are comparing apples with pears. Until we can compare a general directory with 1000 daily uniques to a niche directory with 1000 targetted uniques we can only speculate.

    IMO niche directories are the way forward. Not just because of traffic but countless other reasons. I can justify those unless you wish to keep the thread on the topic of passing through clicks to listings.
     
    mikey1090, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  5. pipes

    pipes Prominent Member

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    #5
    Ok, my personal opinion only :)

    With niche i feel everyone is using this "niche is where its at now" similarly to other promo talk id rather not mention but some things need to be considered before beginning a niche directory and its:

    Will the people interested in the niche be the sort of people to submit a site to a directory, if that is part of the plan.

    I mean will a Knitter know that she/he can submit the knitting patterns site/blog to a knittng niche directory? and would they pay for it or other advertising on the niche directory.

    I mean will they "get" the whole idea or be lost completely as to why you provide a directory on knitting.

    Is the knitter looking to promote free knitting patterns and ready to pay for advertising?

    I dont knit by the way so dont go pointing any fingers ( or knitting needles :))
    so when beginning a niche do you decide on one where the people involved will be clued up on the way internet promotion works and are online all the time or do you go for an easy to achieve niche that will not be used because the enthusiasts of the niche dont spend very long online.

    What types of sites exist for the niche, is it mostly blogs by fans of something or are there all types of sites in a particular niche.

    If its mostly bloggers then they probably wont be interested in the directory, they will just link to each other instead.

    Neesh or Nitch? now theres a debate, its already been done though. :)
     
    pipes, Jul 7, 2008 IP
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  6. enQuira

    enQuira Peon

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    #6
    Not really. If your main source of visitors is search engines then expect more visitors for niche directories as the pages usually are related to specific keywords not like for example an "Entertainment" category in general directories. source? own experience.
     
    enQuira, Jul 7, 2008 IP
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  7. floppydrivez

    floppydrivez Peon

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    #7
    I have niche directory I am working on here in the short future. They had an old one and it got tons of traffic, but it was also free. This one will be extremely low cost, but charging just a few bucks should help cut down on spam and such. The reason I was brought on board for this was to get a more professional script to operate it and give it a fresh marketing appeal.

    So hopefully, I will have more to add to this later.
     
    floppydrivez, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  8. swedal

    swedal Notable Member

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    #8
    Now that is an interesting thought. So your saying that the traffic of a niche directory - all things being equal - could equal the over all traffic a general directory pulls in.

    Honestly I never thought that would be possible because your limiting the target market.
     
    swedal, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  9. estateguy

    estateguy Peon

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    #9
    The key is quality content it isn't easy.
     
    estateguy, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  10. swedal

    swedal Notable Member

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    #10
    Wow pipes you bring up a lot of good points and I have also had suspicions about that first one you mention.

    On the submission point - Are submissions really what the niche directory owner is going for?

    I mean is that the thoughts going into making it - I will support it off review fees or is it better to monetize it through other means and use free submissions to drive traffic to it?

    Other means being targeted adsense or possibly some banner ads.
     
    swedal, Jul 7, 2008 IP
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  11. stoner3221

    stoner3221 Notable Member

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    #11
    Niche verses general and the valuations of both discussions have been going on for eight years that I know of, almost as long as directories are on their way out discussions. Both when set up and operated correctly can be good marketing tools, but it’s obvious that a well done niche directory has some target marketing advantages over most general directories. In either case they must be correctly optimized to perform well.
     
    stoner3221, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  12. swedal

    swedal Notable Member

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    #12
    I could not agree more. Thanks!
     
    swedal, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  13. Event_King

    Event_King Guest

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    #13
    Searchers now want more from their search experience, and ease of information is now the goal, sadly the major engines can't do this, but this is the way now.

    Yes the specialised portal will take over as search tool of choice.


    • Focus on the user
    • Be original in design and content
    • Uniqueness is key to success
    • Forget the money aspect - totally!
    • Give something away for nothing
    • Lose the webmaster attitude - it doesn't sell
     
    Event_King, Jul 7, 2008 IP
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  14. enQuira

    enQuira Peon

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    #14
    Yes from my own experience traffic to niche directories is higher.
    Reasons:
    - Easier to optimize and much easier to get links to.
    - You can even get links you never asked for.
    - Pages highly relevent to a specific search query
    - Niche directories can, believe it or not, have return visitors and bookmarked by regular users not webmasters :)
     
    enQuira, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  15. JamieG

    JamieG Banned

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    #15
    Niche will always win over a a general directory but not as a pure directory, a really succesful niche would contain more relevant content than just links to sites a b and c in that niche. Interaction with the seller and the buyer is the way forward, combine that with a directory structure and your not going to go far wrong.
     
    JamieG, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  16. DownUnder

    DownUnder Well-Known Member

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    #16
    I know i should not post but agree with stoner & estateguy both can do well if done right. my decision is general for these reasons ( be they right or wrong ), if i look at 2 publications i main stream say a car mag and the sunday mail, the car mag is niche and the mail general, but it still covers cars.

    which one has a higher circulation. ?
     
    DownUnder, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  17. enQuira

    enQuira Peon

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    #17
    I am not familiar with those magazines but it is probably not a fair comparison, like comparing yahoo directory and a small city real estate directory.
     
    enQuira, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  18. pipes

    pipes Prominent Member

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    #18
    I guess if the niche directory owner will be adding the sites themselves mostly then theres less of a worry about getting listings and enough of them, maybe that is/will be the trend for niche directory owners.
     
    pipes, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  19. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #19
    The SEO is more powerful in a niche directory, as mhamdi points out below.

    John, the browsers of the knitting directory may add a link themselves, thats why submit forms were originally "Suggest site" pages where enthusiasts could help build useful resources.

    Look beyond what you think is a directory. Its not just a few links, its just like a blog but more specifically categorised.

    An excellent point, one I was going to make.

    Niche directories will obviously get fewer submissions. Because of that they are unlikely to get much revenue from submissions. This is why I allowed free submissions on my niche directory. It means more content, which is the ultimate aim.

    Some excellent points.

    This is getting better. You're saving me time from posting!

    This should always be a trend. General directory owners aswell as niche directory owners should be adding listings themselves. Not much of a directory otherwise, unless like dmoz which get enough submissions to have a decent amount of listings.
     
    mikey1090, Jul 7, 2008 IP
  20. Absolutus

    Absolutus Peon

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    #20
    In my experience nice directories bring more total revenue and more revenue options, but most depend of niche.
    I have around 10 niche directories some 8 years old, and 3 general directories, plus manage a niche directory network for a client.
    My niche directories outpermorm the general one, however I think to have success for traffic and revenue is running a custom directory script that bring original contents, original features and less spam.
     
    Absolutus, Jul 7, 2008 IP
    swedal likes this.