A majority of directories seem to be general directories using PHPld. Why do you think this is? A general directory is going to be able to attract the widest audience but isn't a niche directory going to offer more to the searcher and submitter due to more focus in the results. PHPld has a free version and is simple to setup and use. This is great but all the directories are beginning to look the same. With the deluge of new directories and with owners putting less effort into making their directory different will big G step in amd penalize directories. Does anyone run a niche directory or a directory that is a bit different from the norm.
Not to piss on anyones parade, but I hope google takes a stance. You will then see who is serious about their directory and who is just around to just make a few bucks. I am already seeing such a stance taking place via the directory contest . com contest
I have alway thought PHPld is a fine script, but when I built List My Niche, I chose to use the Focalmedia script. I don't think one script is so much better than the next, since they all pretty much handle the task. Focalmedia just offered a few different amenities that I prefered.
Well, if you interested in niche directories, you can find it in my directory For running niche directory, it would be better if you have knowledge/expertise on the subject you choose. Any directory scripts should be fine, just choose what suits you best.
there are many directories that are different, some choose to add services, other choose to add free stuff, or general information, They also can be differetiated by skin..take mine for example..i made the skin miself, and that can be seen, cause it doesn't look very good...but at least it's something to remembere ..i hope
I have taken a peek at all your directories. In particular I like what has been done on IndexU and directorydump. The other directories are nice but these 2 directories seem to stand out as being different. Do yoy find it is a daily effort to run your directory. From my experience it took several months to write and design the directory. After that there is the daily submissions, it takes several minutes to check out each site. On top of that there is the promotion which I do adhoc, probably a bit too adhoc. What are your experiences with running your directory?
I'd like to see a variety of software being used as a) prevents monopoly and encourages innovation and b) limits hackability There is a huge abundance out there but I hope that over time the bulk of them will die off as the effort required to maintain them takes it's toll. Most aren't quality and resemble little more than link farms - sites aren't listed in tight categories, dozens of pages per category, spammy title text.
Running a quality directory is just too much work. - Reviewing sites - Making descriptions and content - Adding authority sites - Building links - Improving script and fixing bugs - Etc.
Yes moving sites around, I like low populated categories not 10 pages categories , and also re-reviewing to see if they don't have changed.
Sure, but it's part and parcel of running a directory. Took me hours when I had to split up Florida. I can find the place on a map as for knowing where places like Tampa actually were... And I had sites in California being submitted to the Africa category the other day. lazy submitters!!!
Well, I run one that's a bit different than the norm, but I don't know if Google would see it that way. I have all of the general categories, but my "niche" is that I only allow deep links specifically to article pages. (www.freedeeplinks.com) I'm going to be running major changes in the new year (new template, upgrading the script, and changing the name to Link 'n' Learn - I want it targeting readers as a place to research information across the Web, more than appealing to webmasters - since the louses just spam me all day anyway. haha j/k ) I'm planning to structure it to look more like a content network, with different "channels" or "sections" (top level categories), and featuring articles linked in the directory on the home page and such. I suppose we'll see how that works. I've neglected it the past month due to other projects, so when I jump in and push it again I certainly hope it's not going to be penalized in Google. It's definitely been a bit more profitable than other sites (right now $.30-.50 / click usually, but was up over $1 closer to the last two holidays (not great, but better than some content sites I run). So I'd say it's definitely worth putting in the effort if you can come up with your own spin on things.
And you move them to the right category? Well if they submit to the wrong category i just delete them...if they are serious about having a good link in my directory, at least they can submit where they are supposed to...
I tend to move them if I recognize the site as a regular submitter (b/c they can submit unlimited links), if they don't screw it up all the time. If it's a new person, I'd agree... just delete it, and they can try again if they want to.
yup...delete them..just one thing i found over the time...it's really important to say which directory u are when you send the "not approved" mail, cause otherwise you'll get a lot of mails asking who you are
There are some important points that have been raised when running a directory. Categories - It can be a pain when you have to move sites about but luckily it doesn't seem to happen very often. Submissions - It can be a nightmare when sites are submitted out of context. You have the genuine 'I didn't read the guidelines' and the more insidious spam. Spam I believe is the biggest bane of directories. My blog directory was added to a popular piece of submission software and all of a sudden I had automated spam, literally 100's of spam sites everyday. There also seems to be a problem with automated submissions where an individual will submit many tens of sites at once using their home made or bought piece of software.