I don't know about you guys, but I see a lot of directorys being born every day in the solicitations and anouncements forums, and I was wondering where is this going to? Will there be too many and people just loose interest? Let's make a poll and see what everybody is thinking...
At some point they may but as long as you keep a good directory, it will be worth it. There are a lot of people that have started them and don't maintain them or promote them and those will fall out of scope. But I think there will always be a place for a well maintained, nice looking directory.
spyrit ... the problem is not the directories. The problem is the software and current implementation strategies that are being used. Stand-alone directories with just links/descriptions are USELESS - I have always advocated this.
I really agree. True enough, a directory in the crude is just links and descriptions, but the directory that breaks away from that simplicity is the one that will prosper in my opinion. I've started building a network of sorts using RSS and niche type directories that go beyond just PR value. The possibilities here are even beyond my current comprehension. How you implement the directory is everything. Software?.. I'm still experimenting with various types, but really like the .asp tools even though they have some dull points.
Yes, there are too many directories on the web, and most are utter crap. But the same could be said for blogs, forums, and many other types of sites on the web. I can understand why some would think that the major search engines will de-index or de-value directories in some way, but if they did they would need to address simlar issues with so many other types of sites on the web. In the end it will all work itself out. Most directories will fail a few will make it. There is no need for any kind of intervention by Google.
I absolutely agree. After having a good read regarding directories in this forum i realised this. i just started my own, which is attached to my main site, based on this very argument. it makes sense to me, so lets see if its the correct line of thinking. Besides, I dont think its a problem that there are so many directories onllne. The great thing about the web is only the good live on. So directory owners either take care of their directories or they'll disappear from the list. As for the software selection. You're right there too. i may have made a mistake in the one i chose, so i'll just have to bite the bullet now and add a few extra hours of work per day to get it all working as it should. So, to conclude, from my current experience in this new venture i'd say, choose your software carefully and be willing to dedicate many many hours of maintenance work.
The problem as I see is that directory owners set up expecting to get paid submissions. They see their product as inbound links to raise PR and their customer as the webmaster I believe a successful directory which will last several years will have * the listings and directory content as the product and the average web user as their primary customer * the webmaster being lower on the pecking order With this business model a good directory owner shouldn't rely on the webmaster community for providing content, they should seek it and maintain it.
quality directories with good links will win, in future if there are 1mn directories those with high pr, fast approvals, selective listings would do very well. i remember monkey-directory for this, also paid directories which has good promotion campaigns would surely do well.
Yes. There is definitely two classes of directories on the web. Those built strictly for SEO purposes, and those built for providing content to the average web user. In the end though, I think most paid directories (BOTW, SiteSift, etc) have to be geared toward the SEO purposes, as this is precisely the kind of people who purchase links. And free directories (DMOZ) will typically cater to the general web audience. Both types of drectories have their uses, IMO.
Very few may be in it for the long term - a number of directories are put up for sale once the initial income from cheap Featured Listings dwindle or a downward trend is noticed. To build a successful directory, owners will need to look beyond submissions to build content as you've suggested. Stagnant and empty categories may slowly lead to indexing problems. Manually adding links to authorative sites can only benefit the directory owner and visitors. It's difficult to obtain quality authorative links (.gov, .edu, some .org's) when your content is subpar or sharing a majority of the same listings as other directories. I would much rather have my listing amongst the quality known authority sites than in a general directory that lists almost anything that is submitted. Which brings up sopmething else, let's not forget what happened to Zeus. I see so many directories using the same script, category structure and template that I wouldn't be surprised to see posts in the future regarding a directory that is no longer indexed. Matt Cutts made a comment a few years ago that kinda stuck with me - it was regarding the value of directories that people (surfers) actually use. It had something to do with a question regarding the dmoz clones. Now we're seeing these devalued.
true there are a lot of directories that are created everyday, but I would say maybe half of them don't get promoted, the person creates it, but then after a few months they drop it. I believe directory with good PR and are well promoted will never be useless. I don't think they will ever be less valued in the search engines.
That's because the site owners are reactive, and don't have a business plan in their heads let alone written down. Getting rid of the rubbish directories will be a huge boost to those of us who care about our sites.
As a directory owner (have several good ones that I nurture almost daily), and as a directory seller, that it boils down to one simple fact: Any directory that is not nurtured, taken care of, promoted, and grown, will die off. I already see that since I got into the directory business late last year. A lot of directories I submitted to are no longer in existence. Most of these were not stand-alone directories but add-ons to a site. Guess the owners or webmasters who added a directory to their site in hopes of making money, getting tons of links, etc found out that it is work and just dropped the directory or quit promoting it. The fact that a directory is plain jane (either the basic template that came with the script, or using a free template that is used by hundreds of others) does not mean it is a worthless directory or one that will drop out. My first directory I put up is moving along slowly in terms of new submissions, but that is because it is now a paid only site. In terms of visitors to the site, that is growing daily.
I'm only suggesting that directory owners exercise a bit of diligence to avoid the possiblity that what happened to Zeus could happen here.
Hmmm, as i see it , most of you chose either no, never, or no, no, not now...and all of you are experienced directory owners, so this must mean that if you are doing a good job , and keep taking care of the directory or if you co it the way it should be done, it will last. Thanks, that is reassuring... And i think many will have really good things to learn here.