Realistic Maximum of Sub Categories

Hi All,

Interested as to what directory administrators would consider the maximum number of sub-categories to remain workable. As in 2 levels deep, three levels deep or more?

Thanks

 

maybe you should focus at your directory niches.
if you would like to create open directory, maybe sub category from dmoz can be your reference.

 

I would say a maximum of 3 should do, maybe you can try integrating tags as well.
technically there is no maximum, but useability for your users and visitors should be the deciding factor.

 

I have two directories and have around 5 deep levels.

 

So would you be put off by a directory script that did not feature an unlimited level depth?

 

Well, the best number will be the factor of how many of them you would rather to have empty.
If having only 1,000 links and 5,000 empty categories is fine with you then why not have 5,000
but if you want have at least something in them, then 250 is good number to start with.



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level deep.... i would not put a number there, as some things are easy to categorize than others,....

number of subcategories,.... there are many quality directories with 11,000 or so subcategories, ... and others with just over a 500 subcategories and still maintain PR and traffic!



M.

 

As a directory owners, I find myself unable to manage more than 15 top level categories. 1 level of sub category makes most sense unless I am using region based divisions.

 

I have two niche directories which does tighten the category list from the beginning. That said, the number of subcategories can get really silly i.e. Home & Garden > Hobbies > Arts & Crafts > Fiber Arts > Crochet > Patterns > Free Patterns. A made up example but one based on some categorization that I've seen. I seem to remember seeing a pet directory somewhere that had something like Dogs > Dogs for Sale > Breeders > Poodles > Poodles for Sale > Australia > Poodles for Sale in Canberra.

Even making crazy examples, I only get to 7 levels. I would think for a script 10 levels should be plenty. Many more than 4 or 5 and as a visitor and potential submitter I am questioning if Google even visits the page and the very low probability that a human, other than another submitter, would ever see my listing.

ETA: As far as how many top categories should be allowed, while I think it's silly in some ways, I would think you would need to offer unlimited to be competitive.

 

Thanks, that was a really helpful reply

 

That's my man.
You're doing exactly what we're doing for the past 10 years.

Way to go!



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