Hello everyone! I'm currently working on a niche directory that will include other features, such as a gallery, a forum and a unique search function (separate from the directory). I'm new to this and after reading about the changes directories are going through, I am wondering a few things. How does a niche directory differentiate from a regular directory besides the obvious? What makes more sense: free and paid listings; or only paid listings, with perks for the more expensive plans? Should listings be sorted by date or alphabet or give an option for either? Is PR bad now or not? Should I come hear to learn everything about maintaining a directory or are there some good sites I can read through? Thanks for any help.
Hi Inky, It's great that you are leaning toward a niche directory, it can be very rewarding especially if it's topic is one you believe in. As for paid vs. free, it's your directory and you should feel free to run it any way you see fit. As for PR being good or bad, you be the judge. I personally don't feed the G-iant anymore and could give a hoot less about it. I'd work on creating a valuable resource as it appears you are doing. The forum is a great place to learn and even network, but in the end you will have to decide what is good info for you and what is not. Best advice I have for you? Take responsibility of your own directions and do what is right and makes you happy with your work.
Hi Inky, welcome to the forums. If you've been reviewing this forum, you can see we can be a contentious lot; but there's tons of great information here to educate yourself with. It sounds like you are on the right track by adding more value for your visitors. IMHO, niche directories provide the best long-term value for both owners and submitters. PR is neither good nor bad. Blatantly selling links for PR is definitely bad. As to what constitutes blatant is somewhat up for debate around here. The main differences with niche directories are... 1. Overall they get less submissions. 2. They are easier to maintain (see #1) 3. IMHO, they are both easier and harder to market. Easier because of the narrow focus, harder because forums like this one will often not lead to many submissions. Free directories need to make their money off of advertising or are designed to promote the owner's own site(s) or are done as something of a gift to others. Paid directories make their money from the listings and the advertising. It will be a greater challenge if you start off paid as your site is unproven and therefore a risky investment. Good luck and welcome to the zoo.
if you have a free directory the 80% of the submisions you will receive it will be garbage sites.made it paid but with the least paying fee. and good luck...
To learn up on directories, read recent industry news and promote your directory for free, please visit my directory community at; (See Sig - Directory Resources) Site is growing and hopefully will become the #1 resource for directory owners. Thanks
Thanks for the warm welcome and the encouragement! I've been working on this a while now. I will not program it myself, but content and design is all me and I'm making it a point to make my site a great resource for the industry. That's why I want to launch the forum/gallery and some content before the directory. That why I should have decent traffic and some members to entice sign-ups. I still have plenty of time to think about which way I'm gonna go. If everything works out I should have several income sources; besides the directory also advertising and a shop geared towards the industry. I will continue to keep a close eye on the forum and when a question arises I will let you lot have a shot at it.
I believe the future to some extent is communities with directories instead of a just a directory. I run Bloggeries which also has blog reviews, blogosphere definitions, Wordpress Themes, blogging tutorials, Blog Polls and an active blog forum. The resource has become infinitely more fun to run when the forum is going. You could do reviews of sites in your niche. To start only review sites from your directory for the most part. You can also invite people from your niche to the forum to show off your blog and discuss it with an interested audience. You could go paid but I've realized the best is paid and free. Realize with some free you'll get some spam. You can get spamguard for PHPLD and I believe other scripts available may already have it installed. Either way with paid and free reciprocals you will continually be building your resource just make sure you only keep good ones and add your personal touch to all descriptions. People who don't want to do a reciprocal will pay for inclusion if they want you to review there site and make a listing for them. Something important to consider is your niche. Some niches typically bring deeper pockets and more of an inclination to do directory submissions. Adjust your pricing accordingly. The main revenue source in your mind shouldn't be the directory. It should be advertising on a busy resource. Also write or hire someone to write original articles on the subject. This will bring in search engine traffic but most importantly give your users who the site should be all about what they are looking for. When I go to a niche site / resource I'm hoping to find everything I can. No site is perfect but that is the direction I think everyone building or aspiring to building a niche community resource should want to work towards. Hope this helps and best of luck in building a niche community resource
Ooops, On DJ, I think I did it the other way around. Main revenue is the directory. But we got lots of people which wanna get on the lists, but I guess their just not ready to pay yet.
Very true. I should've mentioned that the directory is not primarily for websites, but people and b&m businesses. They can link to their sites. I do want to become one of the most comprehensive resources for the industry. I've been scouting competing sites and seen lots of room of improvement. I hope to have a great mix of directory, community and resource. That's why it takes a little more time, but that's fine, I want to have an informative, easy to navigate, professional site.
Hey, welcome!!! Here is nice article that might interest you in helping you reach your goals. I read it and I must say it has lot of tips. http://www.earnersblog.com/local-directory-listings/ Good luck with your directory.