I have an affiliate review site that I want to submit to directories, and I'm just finalizing it first. There's a popup, actually it's a popin or dhtml menu that doesn't open a new browser window, the FIRST time someone visits the site only. Should I remove it before I submit to directories? Will keeping it prevent me from being listed in some directories? It increases the optins to my newsletter by quite many, so I only want to take it off the site if it'll make a significant difference. Thanks.
Anything that popups or comes in between is a BIG NO for webmasters. It might not get you listed in the directories.
Just to clarify, the popup is related to the website. It advertises a free report. Is it still considered a no-no?
The main reason why we disallow websites with pop ups is that they are not friendly to visitors to your site as pop ups are disliked by many users
It’s distracting and irritating, therefore simply remove popup and go ahead submitting your directory.
It depends on whether or not the directory editor has popups disabled. In general, the popup will decrease your acceptance rate.
most directory owners would not like to see popups or popunders on submitted sites id definately advise against using them at all
I believe popups will decrease the chances of getting accepted in the directories , so I would say remove the popups and then submit to directories . < btw popups also affects the traffic >
As a directory owner, I can assure you that a pop-up will make me have to think twice about the approval. If it is tasteful and actually has something to do with the site, I may allow it. There is one kind of pop-up though that I will never approve and that is the one that pops when you close the web page. These I hate because they are not expected. Pop-ups do work believe it or not, but in my book they need to be there when the site loads.
Loads once and is related to the site - I will still review the site, but with a more critical eye. Launch even 1 unrelated pop-up - I delete.
Thanks for the insights, everyone. My popup loads only once ever, unless someone deletes or blocks their cookies. But I'm still gonna take it down before submitting.
Pop-Ups were always big minus for every project. You have big chances to be denied if moderator won't like your site, especially with annoying pop-ups. You can try to disable it for a 2-3 weeks until "they" list you. After that do all what you want.
Careful there /root there are a lot of directory owners on this forum. Advising people to do what they want after they submit and get accepted is not good advise. Good way to get banned.
That's pretty much the bait-and-switch method, and it assumes that listed sites only ever get visited once. That's not true in all directories. It's essential for a directory editor to revisit links once in a while, to check for dead links (not just 404s, but also "this site has moved / been abandoned" messages), and to check for sites that have changed purpose, if they want to keep their directory free of spam. Sometimes legit-looking sites will turn into porn or MFA junk after a few months.