Most directories are crap because they do not follow 5 simple rules.

Published editorial/submission guidelines.
Editors that stick to these published guidelines (aka editorial integrity).
Unique category structure (clearly if your a geographic directory thats near impossible)
Quality sites in the directory (whether submitted by site owners or included by an editor)*
Quality unique descriptions that help a visitor to understand what the site offers without having to click on the link.


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Good Thread thanks we will research your comments as valid points to improve quality, are always welcome and something that is worth targetting

 

You are exactly right. But there are webmasters who don't worry about this things.

Maintaining a directory with 1000 of quality sites in it, is not an easy thing to do. Plus you are suggesting that Unique description that help a visitor to understand what the site offers without having to click the link.

But most of the webmasters submit their sites to the directory so that people might click on the link and come to their site.

Most of the directory owners also want visitors to click on the link to send traffic to the listed sites.

Realistic lets say who would be interested in making a directory and keeping it upto date and pay for the server from his own pocket. So the directory owners charge for a nominal fees from the webmasters to list their sites in it.
And this way they can also keep rolling. Imagine this same scenario when a single webmaster has 50 directories.

I totally agree with your all points but just writing the real things that are happening right now. So people can know where they are lacking....

Thanks. Nice post.

 

Hi Nick,

I am a little more cynical than you by the looks of it.

I do not believe submitters to 99% of web directories are after direct traffic from that directory, I think they wont the backlink.

I think 99% of directory owners only care about selling featured links and other income streams, and really do no work to push quality traffic to the sites they have listed.

I think most directories are just link farms. Apoligies, thats another blog post of mine.

 

Is this your directory? http://www.enterwork.net/directory/

 

i agree 100% with patricberry,no one expects bucket loads of traffic from directory.just quality relevant links.

 

Exactly. There are webmasters who make directories to earn from it.

I was going to suggest that but I can also understand the situation the webmaster is in. He builds links and purchases links to get a better PR. So he will surely want some revenue from it.

So this is a two sided thing. Or maybe I am confused webmaster myself.

 

when you read that, it's pretty obvious... but somehow, most directory owners do follow them...

 

Yes Jg123,

I am using it as a test bed for admining a directory ...

since its mine, I will not call it crap, but admit that sometimes it smells a little.

 

A directory has to aim to please the visitor, and not the site submitter.

Content is king, and that is perfectly validad for a directory to.

 

"but admit that sometimes it smells a little." - Ok, I don't want to be negative but you do break your own rules Especially on the quality of sites you list. It just goes to show how hard it can be, even with the best intentions.

 

I agree

That said, I was not making a declaration of intent, rather a definition of quality.

Thats my first directory and will be sold of shortly, it has been an interesting learning experience.

I believe in niche directories not general ones.

 

I think that the hardest part of editing is moving submissions to the right categories. Everyone wants to be in the main ones. I believe that it's actually better to be in the most appropriate one.

 

Would keep all of these in mind when I start my links directory Very good points, thanks for sharing.

- MENJ

 

Yes the appropriate one is the preferred selection for long term benefits

 

This quote of yours should be on top of the whole directory category. Most webmasters don't get it, but if they see it often enough, it may start sinking in

 

One of the advantages of being in a higher category is you tend to get a higher PR page quicker. Really when it comes to getting good PR benifits featured links are usually best because they will stay on the first page of whatever category you choose.

One of my pet peeves that still occurs on a daily basis is folks not listing the length of term for featured links, I have not bought many-a-time because of this.

 

Absolutely agree with the featured listings, there you get the best benefit of both!

 

No most directories are crap because they have no backlinks.

 

and why do they have few backlinks?

because there crap