Hello I was wondering what everyone thought on this subject. Suppose you are setting up a new web directory for lets say office supplies, or whatever. The directory is a pay per listing directory, with various fees for extras. When you initially start the directory do you add a bunch of targeted sites to the directory initially? My guess would be yes as I would not pay to list my site on a directory which is largely blank. When choosing which sites you list for free initially how do you determine which are best? Considering you want companies to list their site, you don't want to list sites which are most likely to be your future customers. Yet you want to provide good links for users so they will return and use the service. So how do you choose?
I have never tried that (aka adding sites for attracting users to submit theirs). But if you are targeting some product, better put those sites in google search for free, this will make their competitors submit theirs cause everyone likes to compete. Cheers
personally, it does not matter whether the directory is blank or not. What i will see is the PR strength of the directory and the quality of the directory. If these 2 are good, i'll be glad to add my links to a blank one! I guess, it creates a little added level of confidence that the directory is not a fake. Anyway, if u really want to add, why don't you add friends' sites for a start?