Whats the point of submitting to directories ? Most webmasters think of PR as something not even important as it doesn't really hold much of a value, and out of the 200 or so directories I have my site listed at, all the traffic I receive from them is a measly 11 visitor total in a MONTH. Yet every time I read an artical there is nearly ALWAYS a mention that you should submit your site to as many directories as you can. Spending at least a good 2 - 4 hours submitting my site to all them (that was me working really fast with a LOT of concentration) produced a measly 11 visitors, while 10 minutes of Stumble Exchange gave me over 1000 visitors, and about 20 minutes of commenting, gave me around 25 - 30 visitors. So why is that people keep springing up new directories and writers keep telling people to do it? Is there any good reason to do that?
Directories were never suppose to be for getting traffic one's web site.They were suppose to give you a backlink which would help you build back links and your SERP postion.
I do not understand why everyone is getting the assumption that directories are for traffic. They are not and never will be for traffic. As Awareness said, they are for backlinks which lead to better serps. That is the only reason why they have been created. Its simple and too the point. If you think that you will get traffic from them, then you are submitting for the wrong purpose!
I didn't think that I would get any traffic from them in the first place, I was just confused why they are used since the main reason I believe is PR and thats worthless. And as for better SERPS.. I have a blog which doesn't have ANY directory submissions, just simple link exchange with 8 sites (just recently added) but am listed in the first place for certain keywords already. So for practical views, I just find it a waste of time really. And if you think that those sites help my SERPS.. well 4 of them are new sites with hardly any visitors, let alone back links, and the rest are overloaded with links so doubt that would give me any link 'juice'
SERP does not just rely on backlinks, content and keywords are also required. You could get any website to come up first if you choose the keywords specifically enough.
if you submit your site to a quality directory in a revelent catagory,it will help your SERPs anda measly few hits of traffic may provide a small straem of revenue,if thats what your looking for..never turn down traffic regardless of IMO
Directories are but one of many tools you should consider. Search engines will only evolve over time and eventually take everything into consideration (even if very minor). Building traffic is not an easy task - 11 visitors is not much but if those 11 visitors per month refer a few people and come back - it could be well worth it in the long term (for new sites esp)
I've had good SEO luck w/Dir submission...but direct traffic from the directories themselves? Not very much at all (read: almost 0)
All the webmasters use directory submission to get backlinks and SERP.I am having many clients who got very good SERP from directory submission only. Its done for SEO and not for traffic.
Yes directories are mainly for Backlinks and boosting your SERP if u submit it to the right category in a good directory and after its approval you can see a major improvement in your SERP
I see that directories have two purposes: 1. One is the trickle affect of traffic - if you have a hundred sources of traffic giving you 11 visitors a month - it adds up in a small way 2. If you choose the right directory (i.e. a good quality directory) that people would actually use to find a site - you can actually get some surprisingly well targeted traffic. Dylan
I belive its just that it might affect different niches then, since I just checked again and my site ranks higher (1st and 3rd for several keywords) and my sites like a month old now, with a few back links if any, while the sites below me have 1000's of back links (I checked them to make sure) and have been around for longer.
Ive actually never seen any benefit from directorys.. Maybe the better ones will give you quality backlinks...