Do you still believe in web directory business ? All went wrong 3 yrs back, still we can see many new directories coming up daily. Any comments on present state of web directories.
The present state of the newer ones in disgusting, except for the ones set up properly. Its 95% junk directories that are being created now by scammers and clueless types. It didn't all go wrong, its just the type of people involved have changed.
There seems to be little originality left. A big problem is owners that create dozens or hundreds of clone directories. These are pretty useless. The next thing you hear is someone saying they submitted to 1000 directories and it didn't help them. There is still hope. Niche directories can be quite useful. Regional directories will help you get good rankings in local searches. General directories need some work.
The value of general directories has been decreasing the past couple of years. There is still some value if done in large numbers, but way less than in the past. As stated, niche directories still seem to be good though. G likes links from related sites best.
Every time someone declares that the directory model is dead it gets reinvented, I don't think directories are necessarily dead. However, it seems to me that directories where Google knows you can easily get free links, are heavily devalued, and quickly dying but It would seem the future for paid niche directories is bright for both the directories themselves and the advertisers.
The directory model is not dead. The reputation is just taking a beating because of poor general directories.
I think they are dead completely with 5 to 10% actually having SEO power. Most of the directory web promotion thing, is maintained by huge web directory network owners telling us that they are still viable, which in fact 90% are crap, useless.
Pmsl which ones are you talking about, the real ones or purely the networks? The network owners never claim anything, they are mostly silent, its the real directory owners that know what they own is still good enough. Directory scammers are like spiders, they create their web of directories and sit quietly waiting for people to get stuck.
Before 3 years there were few well known directories which had little competition and so they could grow and dominate easily, but since 3 years webmasters capitalized in the directory industry which in return increased the competition between quality directories and in the other side increased the spam directories. In my opinion this would indicate that the directory industry has become alive more than before and the competition is harder more than before.
For a newbie directories are an easy way to empty my paypal account on sites I sort of trust and do not know. Some appear and others are like yelling into an empty barrel.
There is nothing wrong with a quality, well run directory whether general or niche. The problem with your question is that 99.9% of people have no clue what a good and working "web directory business model" is. Therefor they throw up a load of garbage and later return to cry about it not working or directories being dead or any of the other nonsense you hear being spouted here. The other problem with your question is you don't let us know from what perspective you are asking..... I answered from the perspective of a directory owner. If you want the perspective from a submitter then..... Submitting to directories is still a very effective means of promoting a web site. At least so long as not submitting to the "load of garbage" sites I referenced above. If you want good results go for quality, well run directories. I don't just own directories I also utilize directory submissions to promote other websites.
It,s the race that drive more and more people who know something about directories, start their own just for traffic i judge them by add placement witch they usually put between essential buttons to click like SUBMIT or CATEGORY
Ive submitted to free directories which then send an email asking you to click on the ads, but saying something like only click the ads if you are genuinely interested in the product or service, like that is moral and makes it all ok or something. Those types of owners shouldn't be a webmaster of any site at all.
Diectory bussiness never failed.It need to be done properly and knowing the people preference will help in some way and improve it gradually
What specifically "went wrong"??? We've been doing it for over 5 years without any problems. Listing is consistent, and constant. I still have people telling me that they have recognized traffic from our directory. We've left our listing fees and reviewing process the same since the start and continue to update and clean our directory daily. I think the reason you see a lot of directories popping up daily is likely the same reasons they've popped up in the past. Many people think a directory is a quick and easy way to make a buck. The reality is, it takes a great deal of work. Its a huge commitment in time and resources. If you're going to stay in it for the long haul, you do so more out of love of the benefits it creates, than the monetary reward.
Now if only the owners of the hundreds of .info directories could read this. I noticed though that the directory business is not the only area that suffers from this "why set up 1 when i can setup 100" mentality, the blogging world has the same problem, as does many other types of sites.
Online directories are as good as Classified ads is to Newspaper distribution. Directories will always remain one of the best backbone of the internet.
So can someone give me some advice please? I have a gourmet hampers and gift basket business based in Australia. We sell mainly to Sydney, but deliver Australia wide. Should I list under the Regional > Oceania > Australia category or Shopping > Gifts > Gift Baskets? Your thoughts? Christmas-Hampers Gift Ideas delivered to Sydney Australia| Hunter-Valley-Hampers-Blog Create Your Own Gift Baskets and Hampers Online