I may be completely wrong about this but something just drives me mad. It relates to the question of how directories list their sites. There are many ways that I have seen which include alphabetical, by number of hits, by PR and by first come first served. I do not see the benefit at all of submitting to a directory or link partner page that lists the sites alphabetically. I find it infuruiating coming back to a site to find that I have switched pages because some one else has anchor text that is further up the alphabet. I find the same with the other ways of listing. PR is another one but slightly fairer. By number of hits is not fair at all as the top ones will get seen more and therefore get all the hits. I find the only fair way is first come first served basis thereby the people who have come to the directory when it has a low PR, maybe none, and have waited the longest get the benefits. I might be way wrong here but I would like to hear some other comments on this. A h-uile là sona dhuibh 's gun là idir dona dhuibh (May all your days be happy ones)
First come first serve may not be all that beneficial for the end user of the directory. Alphabetical order is a bit more logical. If you plan on using directories as an important part of your marketing strategy, choosing a name that starts with "A" isn't a bad idea. Also, you can always pay for a featured listing to ensure that you remain on the first page.
I appreciate it is not that logical but my only point was that it was not as fair as first come first served. I am about to delve into the directory world myself so could you please expalin why it isn't beneficial to the end user so that I can see when I come to making my own directory.
Well, needless to say, it works both ways. I feel the same for those sites with higher PR that get placed above my sites that I have worked hard on. These directories have put absolutely NOTHING into their structure/design/ad campaigning.. NOTHING! But what happens? My hard worked and managed directory gets shot down to page 50 because of it. Well you know what, that's ok with me now. Why? Because I *DO* put lots of effort into my directories, and I *DO* find ways to better it. So with that being said, here is my god damn SOLUTION! http://www.directorydump.com/internet/directories/paid/ note the 'sort by' you support it, it will support you. period. (sorted by supporters, AND color coded to let you know who supports you)
I have to agree that listing sites by pr abc and # of hits is bull. Directories that list this way imo are not seo friendly at all. The reason I say that is because lets say that you were on a page that gave you a backlink in google once your site is moved to another page you will lose that backlink. So for me that is the major drawback to listing that way. I have my sites listed in a few of these but for the most part I stay away from them. I think the end user should decide which site they think is the best and so first come first serve is best way to go. For those that want to be on top then sure buying a featured listing may be the only way, But that is marketing for you nothing comes for free. You gotta pay to play if want to be among the best. That is the way I see it.
I sort alphabetically, purely because I think it might help someone who is checking the directory to see if their own site is listed. PR is Google's measure of the importance of a page, and it's obviously flawed and entirely irrelevant to directory listings. I do agree that there's some unfairness in the way sites are sorted. But this is only an issue if you have an unwieldy number of listings per category anyhow. More than 20 and it's time for a new subcategory anyhow. It might mean moving some sites further down the directory tree, but at least that way the listings are more specific to a certain topic, so a user is more likely to find what they are looking for.
Hi there, Thanks for your replies. I can see both sides of the story now and can genuinely see the directory owners point of view and I like anon's way of doing it. I suppose it comes down to personal preference and if you don't like a directory well don't submit, just the same way as the owner has every right not to include you. I am thinking of doing a directory myself and this is helping me decide it's structure. I can see the benefit of directories to web-site owners but what benefits do directory owners get if the directory is unpaid?