Ive been looking into starting up a directory over the last week or so, and have been reading through a lot of the posts in this thread to try get as much info as possible but i wouldnt mind some feedback on my idea. I was thinking of buying a PR5-6 Domain name just to get me started up and for people to actually want to look at the directory. Obviously the inner pages wont have any PR straight away but will gain it in time. I don't have huge amounts of money to promote the site and i am thinking of using the phpLD script (common i know) Do you think the directory could be successful? Thanks Jordan
Hi... I debated for a while about starting a directory as well. There are many things that you should determine prior, such as advertising, customization, etc. I would also look at few different sites and see what their scripts are and what kind of features are available. From what I have researched I would definately invest in getting a custom template designed as you are going to be branding your site as well. From what I have read and researched, I decided to start from scratch (even though I was fortunate enough to be able to buy something). I chose not to for the following reasons: 1) I was not sure about how previous sites of owners may have or have not damaged the sites name previously. 2) Starting from scratch and building and investing shows other, potential clients, that you are serious about your venture. 3) There are a lot of "fly-by-night" sites in this business. Better to start your own and build trust from the people that will eventually help support your site. I also purchased top placed on ads on some of the bigger sites today just after I launched and am getting way more traffic from them then I expected! I have not sold any listings as of yet, but that is as I expected as I am still waiting for my custom template to be completed. Best of luck to you.. I am new Directory owner myself and can understand your questions. This is a great place for information. Best of luck! Lance
Thanks Lance Ive been seeing quite a bit about the custom template etc deffo summin im going to have to look into! I hope your directory goes well!! would you pm your link so i could take a look at it?
my site is up and running, but the template is not complete yet. The suggestion that I received from some larger site owners was to go ahead and launch while the template is being completed. Start getting the word out and start promoting. So that is what I am doing. Well see how it works out. I am running a special until the template is done. Maybe some will "trust" I am really getting it done and take advantage, maybe some won't. I don't know how many people start the way that I am. I will definately let you know when the template is complete. btw: I am using a forum member from here for my template, his id is aspidov. I think he does quite a bit around here. You might want to shoot him a message if you are interested (but wait until he is done with mine! lol ) Lance
Why do you want to run a directory? You need to ask yourself how much a back link is worth. If it still makes sense after that, spend as little as you can get away with on your set up.
A dropped PR5 domain will cost you around $100 and it will likely drop to a PR3 within the next couple of udpates. Unless you are going to try and scam people into submitting by calling it a PR5 directory you are better off reg'ing a suitable directory name and building up the page rank yourself.
Why would it be scamming people if you bought a PR5 domain and advertised it as a PR5 Domain...? How do you know that its going to drop in PR in the next update or not etc?!
JoRd although im sure your a perfectly honest individual with good intention, you may have noticed that its generally frowned upon for someone to purchase a domain with PR already and set it up as a directory. Generally many people prefer to see the directory build its PR as they can see that the owner has taken time to build things up from scratch. I guess the people who pull tricks and stuff have created a natural caution where other directory owners are worried about scams and dishonest people. While in all respect your not actually doing anything wrong, its kinda like good manners to start off from scratch as many people will suggest.
I disagree, If I showed you a great directory to submit to you wouldn't know whether it was an old domain or not all you'd see is the page & the PR. However having run directories in the past I personally don't think it is worth it, unless (like everything) you put alot of time and effort into it. It certaintly isn't an instant money maker. DoA
If you are refering to what I said you are misquoting me, read my post again. I said if you call it a PR5 directory. If you say you put up a directory script on a PR5 dropped domain then that is fine, and buyer beware. The reason dropped domain lose all or most of their page rank in the upcoming updates is because the backlinks drop off because the content that they built those backlinks on is no longer there. People that buy dropped domains with high page rank and call it a PR'X' Directory are lying, cheating and scamming, if you get folks to part with their money or make submissions to your directory based on a page rank that you know is not based on your websites content then you are a scammer. Most often the directory name is not relevant to it being a directory and none of the inner pages will have page rank. You can also look at waybackmachine and see when it became a directory. Everyone always looks for the easy way to do things, ya it is 'easier' to scam folks instead of working hard for your money but in the end you will tarnish your reputation.