Hey everyone, I am going to start my very first directory, looks interesting and I want to see how I will go with it! Here is what I have learned so far from what I have read on DP, let me know if I need to know anything else! Starting - Buy PHPLD - Get a custom theme - Make sure the theme is easy to navigate - Me smart with where you put your ads and sponsors, etc - Choose between a general and niche directory - Pick a good domain name - Be ready to spend 1-2 hours daily Managing - Spend 1-2 hours daily checking through submissions - Fix spelling in submissions - Only accept good sites, rather then spam - Make the site look professional by getting submissions right - Make the site a paid directory, even $1-$2 for a submission - Buy high PR backlinks to get a good PR next update Promoting - Submit to other directories - Buy links to other directories - Trade links with other directories That is what I am up to so far. Remember this is not a guide to running a directory, this is simply what I have learned on DP through 20 minutes reading through threads. If anyone can contribute to the post with other stuff I need to keep in mind, that would be brilliant! Thanks!
Would you be able to extend on your reply, with an answer that helps perhaps? - Not trying to seem harsh but stating that 1-2 hours is a waste of time doesn't exactly get me an answer, that I'm looking for at least. - How much time should I spend per day when starting a new directory? - I also wanted to add, is it worth buying a good PR domain? - Or possibly even an existing directory site with PR?
Sure if you want to be successful, you will need at least minimum working full time 365 days/per year promoting, marketing, editing and managing your site content etc The market is highly competitive and there is whole bunch of crap junk directories --------and your first job is rising above all that crap The top directories are run by highly commited folks who are focused on being professional and showcasing a quality resource
+Rep to you both! Basically, I have plenty of time for the next two or three weeks to run the directory. I just mainly wanted to get the promotion part right. Thing is, I am not sure if doing what I said above was enough. Thanks again for the help.
Personally, if I see a new directory with good PR, I don't submit. Chances are good that the backlinks creating that PR have absolutely nothing to do with the URL being used for a directory. Seems like in time that directory will sink in the SERPs and the PR score will decrease as well. Starting from scratch gives you the opportunity to find a domain name that matches your new directory - particularly if you are going to make a niche site. It gives you the opportunity to create a real brand and not just ride on someone else's failed one. As a rule, general directories will get more submissions => more review time. Niche directories receive fewer submissions => less review time. The gotcha on that is that it is in some ways easier to promote a general directory as every site can participate and it should be easier to find quality sites to list. The gotchas with a niche directory are that they are harder to promote but your submitters are more likely to link back to your site or blog about it. Depending on the niche it might be very difficult to find true quality sites to add on your own. It can take me an hour or two to find one quality site to add to my pet directory.
directories (IMO) are a good way to get into online business and learn many ins and outs of the business. However, that is if you want to learn and test your skills. If you want to make decent money (even part time) from directories, as BirtishGuy said you haev to put a lot of work and resources into it. Time and effort is also not enough, you do need some funds to market and promote your directory. Good luck
Don't only fix the spelling. Fix the grammar and severely edit submissions to 150-200 characters or a simple sentence or two. Edit out the submitters marketing slant and make the description concise and easy to read for the benefit of the end-user. Make all the descriptions read as though they are written using the same editorial guidelines and from the third party. ie change 'Our fantastic villa complex in Tenerife...' to 'A Tenerife villa complex'. Consider adding quality sites yourself, this will not only add content but give submitters a taste of the expected standards. Good luck with your project.
You seem to be on the right track. Just worry more about what's inside the directory as opposed to building a higher PR and link exchanges
Good list of things to do there, and you pretty got most of it right. But focus on the content more than the promoting
Thanks for all the help guys! As this is my first directory I am going to go with the general approach. Once again, thanks for all the help and hopefully I can post back soon with good news
Do let us know how you are doing with your directory, have you placed adsense in it? what is the general click rate? I am also planning to start one.. thanks
Selected some points that you need to work on. Ads on a paid directory act as a deterrent to some people. They don't expect external ads on a directory when you are paying for the link on it. Don't link exchange. Google hates it. You could be penalized. Don't emphasize a lot on PR. Go the right way to improve your search engine standings and PR will take care of itself. Some Do's for you: Have some good content related to the niche of your directory. If it is a general directory, put up content in various niches. Make sure its original Add some good categories and mods manually. Don't pick up those directory databases. They generate duplicate content, again going against your search engine standings. Give users value for money. Keep upgrading and improving your directory.
Quality of the listing information is your biggest hurdle. As britishguy has pointed out, this takes a lot of time. You need to edit/correct/review every site that you decide to include, because you are only as good as the sites you list, and the information that you provide with those sites. If you list junk, or don't edit/maintain, then your directory will be junk.
Great information from all of you. If c0ldMax will be successful the I might think of making such type of directory service.