Directory Owners … Incredibly Bright People, Doing Incredibly Stupid things!

Found a good article and wanted to share with you guys.

Directory Owners … Incredibly Bright People, Doing Incredibly Stupid things!

 

I've read that. To me, it's not too practical. I said the same thing in the other thread about the blog but if the author could prove what a good site should be in the very blog, it would be very convincing.

Saying things is rather easy.

 

You're kidding right? Most directories are worthless and the owners of them would be lying if they told you they were not only out for the Benjamin's.

In how many threads do you read "approved all, keep um coming". You really think those are quality resources that are "all approved"? I make it a point to only approve about 10-20% of the listings that submit to my directory. I NEVER accept when multiple listings come from the same IP address. My reasoning behind this is that if you don't care enough about your site to take the time and submit it for yourself ... I don't want you in there.

Lots of good advice there, but I think the part he missed out on is that directories should be vertical to the site it surrounds not the other way around. I've only been in the business for a few months now but I would not even consider a 2nd directory without a solid supporting cast for it.

I am truly happy that the chosen few are making good money with their directories. These guys are all over the place promoting and have a good business plan. To the rest of us ... did you even have a business plan when you started? Do you know what one is? How about a marketing plan?

 

Wow strange new looking words like Business Plan , Marketing Plan, where do they come from ? English or some martian language?

Sorry but directories are directories, dunno if dmoz initially had any business or marketing plan either.

 

I actually agree with the blog author. I am just saying that some of his statements are just simple criticism to directories. I understand that there are many bad ones, but my point is that it's so easy to criticize others and saying things without any sort of proof whatever he claimed was actually carried out in his own site, if its a directory more convincing.

 

The right thing is there are many many directories, people think this is a Turnkey business.
The Truth is among those thousands of directories only strong ones will remain. If someone has 10-50 Directories, how is he going to promote all of them .
I think a must promotion for a directory costs at least $1000 a month to become a better one and maybe $3k-5k a month to be one of the best. Am I wrong?

 

I think when you promote something, you need to promote it right and smart depending on your niche. You don't need 5k/month to stay on top of the game. You need to evaluate the amount of ROI you receive from a given promotion technique. You can promote your directory with $300/month and stay in the top. I wont get into details because thats my trade secret

 

I also had a look at the article yesterday when SarahK posted the link on another thread!

 

$300 a month? Even at the beginning? I don't think so, if you know how to code or psd or ,if you are good in doing mods, maybe. But if not, you need $200-$500 just for a unique template.

 

No,a custom design costs aspidov $0.

 

Not a bad article at all --though I doubt if he is a directory owner. I dislike those who gives advices without first-hand experiences and as it seems in the beginning of the article/post --he is just those self-proclaimed GURU/Savior looking to write something different t0 get more visitors on his site to monetize based on traffic which is temporary.

True we need more innovations, I have always been propagating about that. But a rank-outsider can not understand how the Directory Market Metric works --how revenues are generated and so on.

All his saying is true --except he is living in a dream world --may be in Mars. where theories work ( Never been there --just a pun) so far from reality

 

directories are become money source.. no one looking for visitors everyone looking for money or link exchange..

 

I didn't say anything about unique templates. Unique templates range from $200 to $500, yes, but I am talking about advertisement and ROI, not your mods or your cool graphic skills.

P.S. truly unique templates cost $1000. pm me if you want one

 

definitely the case

 

I'm the author of the blog and I will be happy to address some of your questions.

I'm not sure what you mean about "its not to practical". Are you basically saying that building an innovative directory, with innovative services is not practical? There are endless examples on the net of individuals and directory owners taking innovative approaches. You don't need to venture too from DP to see how Aviva Directory is incorporating articles, downloads and tools into their directory to add more innovation and value.

jhnrang thanks for both your complimentary and speculative remarks. I'll give you a little bit of background just so that you can rest assured that I do know "a little bit" about directories. I have been involved with online directories since 1999/2000 when I designed a comprehensive all-in-one CMS and vertical software package. I am currently involved in providing design and feature specifications to a company designing new business directory software. So unlike your proclamation I do have experience and am freely sharing my advice. Contrary to your statements, I also do not pretend to be a Guru/Savior, I am a normal guy giving some advice BASED ON EXPERIENCE. Paint me with what ever brush you desire, but many of your statements are inaccurate and reflective of your lack of expertise in the subject matter.

cheers

 

I agree with most of what LaCabra says but I wouldn't use the word "innovation" because it is not innovative to offer add'l products/services on a directory, blog or whatever. It does however add "value". (BTW, I saw these guys at Adtech and they are doing some innovative thinking with directories. http://www.isedn.org)

One thing that I think is missed in this convo is the positioning of the directory business. Some try to sell themselves as "The #1 place on the planet to search". This is just ridiculous. NOBODY gets traffic from directories. What they (or WE since I own one now) are really selling to site owners is the hopes of obtaining higher PR and SERPS or the real search engines. I think they should just be upfront about their offering and say so(which Aviva does)

The other topic that is missing in this convo is around business models. The directory busines is EASY if you model it correctly. Want traffic? Bid on PAID keywords. Want more sales? BUY email leads and market to them. Need better rankings? Pay for an online press release or pay article writers etc. As you can see, the critical part of the model that most every directory owner is missing is that you need MONEY to make it work correctly. I use to work for a bank consulting firm that helped banks enter new markets. Instead of the banks whining about how difficult it was to start up a brand new bank in a brand new city or winging it and hoping for the best, they just asked us. We came up with the model. (i.e. locations, direct advertising, community sponsorships etc.) that would ensure their short and long-term success. Our model costs a lot of money but it always worked. The problem with directory owners is that most start on a shoestring budget and just like any other business, that model tends to produce a negative ROI (at least in the early stages) and most will lose the glimmer in their eye and give up before long and move on to another shoestring start up and the process repeats.

 

Let me see a sample from one of those worth $1000

 

This is one
Forplex Business Directory
http://www.forplex.com/
But it cost a lot more than a Thousand Dollars

 

May I know who was the designer?

 

aspidov his work is excellent and he is a very helpful, friendly guy too