Where is the $$ in the Directory business?

Work hard and long and you can make money.

I made close to $500 in the first month of running a couple dirs. Mostly quick money off of selling sitewides though. Made probably $150 from links, rest from selling ads.

And $10 from AdSense .

 

I think directories are great for getting a site indexed and offer a good backlink, often at low or no cost at all. In terms of getting quality traffiic from a directory, well, I don't think you can. The only time people click on links on directories is when they are there to submit their own sites, and do so out of curiousity more than anything.

 

Thats not bad at all...infact that sounds very good.

And qwestcommunications, I would imagine that would be so...I for one have never clicked on, or even visited a directory to look for a link.

 

Good topic....

Yes the directory biz is getting harder there is no question about that as you have people who can build 5 in one day,so the numbers are increasing as you have free scripts being offered and very poor countries getting involved for a chance to make a quick buck.

Do i think google will devalue directorys in the near future? Trying to figure out anything google does is complex to say the least. IF we continue to allow free scripts to be offered, and the numbers to continue to rise then we may be penalized or devalued at some point in time,but for now we still are a vaulable resource for search engines to gather data and also for webmasters to gain valuable links back to thier websites.

What truelly makes a Web Directory stand out from the rest of the pack is the TIME and SKILL and $$$ you invest into it. In my eyes for anything website related to become successful on the internet you have to PROMOTE your product, because if you are not seen or heard how does anyone know you even exist.

To me the end result of your promotional skills is when google decides your actual worth or value in PR as this is when others will recognize who you really are.

 

malcolm1, Very nice post it’s really hard to make it different and brand it, that is really what is going to set the diference.

 

Also, if you want to make money, you have to eventually put some money into it.

For my newest site [url="http://www.profitgeek.com]Profit Geek[/url], we're running a contest in the forums and giving away well over $1000 in cash and prizes. And that will attract some people we're hoping.

 

This is very true, as its the only way to go.

 

I see nothing wrong with starting multiple directories. Always diversify your portfolio.

 

Ya, Thanks.
I see serious webmasters really work hard as opposed to working a 9-5job. These guys/gals slogging/blogging and getting peanuts but they still persist. Passion is another key word.

 

Isn't this the exception rather than the rule in this ultracompetitive market. IMHO, I mean for every $x,xxx per month, there are probably 9 that make $xxx per mth and 90 that make $x per mth.
I would also say top directories that make $x,xxx per mth have been around for years.

 

hey, I am talking about the average directory and average Paid submissions.

 

ya, that is what I think also. Directories owners are like a closed community.... though as someone mentioned earlier, no harm spreading and bringing in larger community using blogs.

 

if you work hard it will definitely be profitable as u can charge the website for submissions

 

Thanks for that info Malcom...it clearly isn't as easy as one might think to setup a successful directory.

 

i see a lot of paid manual Directory submission post lately on DP, now after reading this thread it makes all sense, that it is tough to get good pr for a dir..
so it is good to pay for manual submission

 

I will have to correct you a little on that. First, establish yourself in a specific niche then diversify.

 

I agree to a point, but if you own 1 directory of any sort it gets 100% of all your efforts, and in todays directory world its the only way to succeed.

If i build 10 directories its like climbing a tree with no arms, there is too much work required to promote one.

 

I think the main key here is 'Focus, focus, focus'.

 

What about free directories? What is the business model behind offering directory submissions for free??

 

You can generate revenue from advertising. And I guess when your directory has built up a substantial amount of lisitngs, you can then begin to charge.