"Many people dont have skills to make their directory stand out, and it is usualy very hard to learn photoshop or smarty for a novice." - You can get a decent header or logo made for $20 so if that is too much to invest in a new directory you might be wasting your time starting one. Like everything else in life and on the web the better ones will last and the crappy ones will just fade away.
I am a directoryholic now in rehab....lol NO more directories by me! Now working on my directories, one by one, to see what improvements I can make. Two are up for upgrades to the phpld 3.06 version this month, plus new templates. One last directory I put up is not yet open for any business. Still working out the categories and sub-categories. I see tons of directories submitted to my directories that use only the default template with the phpld free version. Most of these have no links yet added. Should I delete these? Nah....they are hopefully directories that will survive and by accepting them, I am doing my minor part. It will be interesting in 3-6 months to see how many directories that opened up in the past month alone are still in business.
Directories without a good template will simply die as there basic and boring! You will only get out what you put into your site... enough said.
I could not agree more! Put some TLC in the thing and you will see results with being able to charge more and actualy getting people to fork over thier hard earned money.
I think it is not so much directory owners getting lazy as it is people just setting up directories and expecting a huge influx of links and revenue. If that is your goal, just don't do it. Those of us that do have directories, do spend a considerable amount of time working on them, maintaining them and trying to make them remain clean and SE friendly. Don't let the run of the mill fly by night directory get you down. There are tons of a quality directories out there that actually do serve a purpose beyond getting tons of links and generating revenue. Lazy? No, I don't think so.
Judging by the submissions to my directory of directories, about half of the directories submitted are worthless, the other half have something to it that makes me see value for the enduser. I think that the problem is that so many directory owners don't even think about the people who may wind up using their directory for search.
well, i would say that this happens to other types of sites like blogs as well. there are also many sites out that where wordpress is installed and a common skin is slapped on it - then the webmaster goes away and hibernates...
It's not true in my case. I will always accept good and unique website. No matter if it is PR7 or PR0. Same with rejection. But you cannot expect that any spammy, ASmade, afiliate etc. will be approved. It is clearly said in guideline which I think nobody reads... Yesterday I rejected PR7 pharmaceutical site. The onwer was so suprised... But one of my criteria is not to approve websites offering pharmaceuticals and financial services if there is no info about company. I think it's fair. And about design.. I have changed PLD script a lot. And by the way I've learned SMARTY library which I didn't know before. Now I even code my own modes and some of them are really useful. I also work on another PLD directory which should be much better as my experience is quite different. But I don't think I will run next and next directory. Creating is fun, but previewing, approving and rejecting sites is not so exciting... I do it everyday and try to be fair according guidelines. It's a little bit boring and frustrating sometime... but must be done!
Yes, most don't read the guidelines but I have seen a few sites that put the rules right underneath the actual form fields and this is one way where you can get people to read them. A handful of Rules posted in big bold colored text in view also can be helpful. This is usualy what seperates the posers from the real directory owners!
Yes, I have basic guidlines repeated 3 times. No chance to miss it... But I think all dir owners also know that big number of submissions are made by automats. Also often submissions are not done by website owners. Lot of pseudo SEO services do that. They do not care if the link is according to guidlines. They do the job and get money from the client. Some people from submission services don't even read English... It's not a secret that about 50% of submissions or more come from India. And must say when I see such submissions, I can be sure that 90% is to reject.
Directory owner's are getting lazy becuase there are lot of spam and it takes hours daily to clear spam. It is worth if you spend this time on other activities and can earn a lot
Not if you are using a decent script. Our custom built script keeps about 95% of the spam out, keeps the directory fresh and clean, and updates constantly, letting us know and the end user know when a site has been delisted or relisted for whatever reason, usually due to the site not being reachable. Also, do keep in mind that PAID directories, or a lot easier to maintain and keep free of spam. Reason being, people are paying for it. They tend to take more time listing their sites in the proper categories to begin with. They tend to take more care in spelling their title/descriptions carefully, etc. I would say again as I have said in the past. I do not think it is so much a question of directory owners becoming lazy as it is more one of people setting up a directory expecting to world of it, then doing absolutely nothing with it from the get go. If you are going to start a directory, you have to realize you need to be in it for the long haul. It's not a get rich quick program, nor is it a get links quick program. If those are your only goals; do all of us a favor and do not start one.