If I were to buy a directory, what are the main things I need to look for?

Hello members

Well if I were to buy directory what are the things that I should look for?
Is there any website or tools that gives not exact but near selling price of a directory?

Thanks in advance..

 

factors like design, incoming links, revenue, promotional methods
should give you an indication about the potential of the directory

 

1. Monthly Revenue.
2. Page Rank & Backlinks.
3. Age of Domain.
4. Traffic.
5. Template.
6. Mods.

I dont think there's any tool or website which gives exact but near selling price.

 

I would do a copyscape.com to see if the content (categories) are unique.

 

I'd also add uniqueness in both design and the niche the directory covers. If possible go for a custom script rather than an off the shelf one, this makes the directory more unique in terms of it's footprint as viewed by the search engines.

Additionally if the directory owner has streamlined the workflow for submisisons etc.

 

1. Domain age.
2. Directory age.
3. History of domain.
4. Reputation of current owner.
5. Any current penalisation.
6. Any past penalisation.
7. Listed Sites.
8. Reason for selling.
9. Seller has a history of flipping sites.
10. Any accounts closed that were connected to the directory, ie: paypal, adsense, anything.
11. Any promises, obligations made to the past customers of the directory.
12. Any shady promotional efforts.
13. The true traffic, not the bots and all other traffic that shouldn't be included.
14. How easy will it be for the new owner to upgrade the script, mods, etc.
15. Expenditure against actual profit, breaking even, in the red, actually making a profit.
16. Profit from listings? adsense? anythingthing else?
17. Any other obligations.

 

Awesome advice for any type of site. Thanks.

 

nice post pipes,i think you cover most of the aspects to look for.

 

In addition to the other suggestions you need to know the size of the database and the last time it was checked for unresponsive domains. I large well maintained database of quality websites can be an important factor.

 

I'd also look for category adherence - are the listings where they are supposed to be.

Obligations to current advertisers and whether any of their fees will transfer.

Size of the pending queue - are they dumping something that they've let get out of control?

If displayed, check the dates of the latest adds, are they actively maintaining the site.

 

I would look for the worst house on the best street, there would be many i suppose directories let go a little that with some tender loving care and good management would come to life, if your in it for business ( making money ) then money is made when you buy something, no when you sell it.

 

It depends on what intentions you have with the directory! if you want to flip it like everyone dose these days, then you should look for a cheap directory with potential!

If you want to make a quality resource and make money out of it, then you should check that how much the directory is making, say for the last 6+ months, and what are the chances of having it sustain the profits!

A few basic things to check are:
1) Is the directory made on a dropped domain! what are the chances that it will survive the PR, are the backlinks organic? if paid then how long will it stay?
2) The quality of the listings, which matters indexing etc!
3) Traffic, and how well its doing on the serps!

cheers!

 

Very good advice - You obviously realize how much time and $$$ can be spent on content.

Now that is great advice good for any individual or business!

Very nice thread!

 

Some really good advice here, this should be a sticky thread.

 

This post is the winner. Looks like pipes covered all the steps.
Very nice post, too bad I have to spread first...but this one needs a rep+

 

A good niche and a large database of sites could be also included

 

very comprehensive...thanks for the advices

 

....a quick exit strategy when you realise you won't make much money haha

No, seriously now, it depends if you can beat the following:

On the industry, pick the wrong one and you're toast
Whether you have vast experience of that industry
Can you ride the rough months (sorry, years!) when you start out
Will you really keep coming up with ideas
Are you truly aware of the hassles involved/what WILL go wrong
Do you know who your rivals are/and their capabilities
Are you really interested in providing a service
Is this just a money making venture
Many can't keep the motivation going
Are you good enough at making sales, people won't just flock to you
The Ego and status of Managing Director soon wears off, I promise you
Most give up within 2 years
Can you really take the bombardment of criticism your directory will face


I'd be sure of the above, before even thinking about taking this on. There is so much to this, even running a cheap script - you still have to run the service. People will slate you, set up rival directories, steal your content, and put you out of business, and that's just on the forums.

Chances are you will make little cash and chuck it in quickly. The only way to make it now, is to build a portal service, the general directory, even niche ones are done to death - search engines are everywhere, and the best ones don't take prisoners.

Hope you prove me wrong

 

Can you expand on that with full details please, as I'm concerned about why you stated going the 'cheap directory route', as you passed it off as good advice.

Thanks