Obviously I have my own directories which I try and make as unique as possible to shine above and beyond he rest, however, I would like to see what else is out there in terms of uniqueness. Doesn't matter what script it uses. I'd just like to see some real goodness in terms of differenciation. This is not a 'post your own directory' thread. This is not a 'freely used template directory' thread to say you are unique. This is not a 'I have the same exact stuff on my directory as a million others' thread. I don't know whether or not this thread will fall to the second page extremely fast, but if it does, then I guess it'd be a lack of directory ideology.
directorymix is definitely one of the most unique directories out there (if not the most unique ones). Simply toooo many neat features
Depends what a user be it submitter or someone actually using the directory for search purposes defines themselves as unique. There are a number of variables you may use to define unique such as template, features, addons. My self I look for unique clear and concise descriptions, tight category control and what types of neighbourhoods the directory is linking out to. Most of the time I couldn't give a hoot what it looks like, how many extra cats or deeplinks I can get or any addons the directory has. For me uniqueness is core content and in purpose built directories core content are it's listings and descriptions.
Unique is for the owner. Most unique directories charge a fortune for listings. The directory in your signature looks nice but it has many problems that i can see. It is slow to load Gets little traffic It is expensive It has no pagerank It is showing a penalty in google Forget unique and start giving value to customers.
@an0n: Rep+ for starting this thread. I don't have a unique directory (unless you consider my hand-coded directory list a directory); but I would contribute some unique directories that I have seen. I guess vmoptions is pretty unique in it's template, layout and other webmaster resources it provides. I love the fact that it allows you to post different descriptions for category page and link detail page. I found ozami internet guide to be pretty unique as well. Though I don't know why they have wallpapers etc. there
I guess I need to exemplify as to what this thread is searching for. I was looking for uniqueness in directories that showcase web 2.0 featured and end user usability. Pro Seo - It's not about the directory in my sig. Bumble - It's not about a template SearchBuster - Content is always good, but I'm looking into seeing new waves of cutting edge technology instilled into directories. rehash - dj and the redtree are nice directories. the red tree is a little different than most. if done properly it can really be spruced up. jitendraag - I can acccept that as a legitimate directory. I know vmoptions has some extras, especially the lists. As far as the MOD you mentioned, I actually made that for Bill(who is a really great guy and cares about his directory) Lets take http://www.bbc.co.uk/ as an example of what I am directing this thread towards. The functionality and customization, to me, makes this one of my favorite sites. So with the example above, this is the type of thing this thread is in search of.
The BBC site is great but how could that be used for a directory? Unless a directory has repeat visitors who are non-submitters, I'm not sure how being able to customize the information presented would be of much value. It does however bring up something I've always thought we should work towards - creating a true information portal rather than just a list of sites. the red tree is a cool concept but it quickly becomes just like every other plain jane directory once you leave the homepage. Too bad the owner didn't come up with something for the category pages to continue the branding. To be unique in the directory arena, at least IMHO, is rarely about design and functionality but more about the information being presented and how it is organized. Some of the directories with the most functionality/mods and a great design are also some of the weakest in terms of usefulness. The ability to modify the information presented on the BBC site is only of value because the content behind each of those topics has value and is worth returning for. How many directory owners have truly built something worth returning to?
@YMC: I repeated go back to goweb2.0, technorati (yes it's a blog directory after all), listio etc. (an0n, did I just add three directories to your list?) I agree that people don't browse general web directories anymore. They should have something unique to offer. Shouldn't crunchbase be considered a startup information directory? (Again, I go back there multiple times).
jitendraag, I like crunchbase. good call. You seem to understand what the thread is pertaining to, thanks. From crunchbase I also noticed younoodle, which is pretty nice stuff. thanks
like YMC says I think it has to be more about what a portal can offer rather than just a directory to create a directory with unique content alone is a massive task to undertake and most struggle with it alone never mind building a portal the BBC site works because they have some much content at their disposal theres only so many ways you can present website descriptions after all
i don't know if i unique or not, because i using free template but i make custom detail page, like for feature listing will have more review for forum, i talk about my free forum directory...
Template aside, in what way it what you say you are doing comparable to the example of bbc.co.uk with its features and web 2.0 capabilities? Are they end user editable? Would/Can an end user use the capability for something? note*: I took a look and found a featured listing, and to me it just appears to be nothing more than stats, which an end user really doesn't need. To me directories appear to be stuck in an age of 2 tears ago, with no innovative anything in them. Mostly just a slap together no thought domain with hopes of becoming something big, and without ever thinking of the end user experience. Where is the enthusiasm? What ever happened to keeping 2, 3 steps ahead? Is it that people are just waiting for free stuff to come along and then install, and then think they are still unique? I just go get it anymore with what people think they are doing and or trying to accomplish with their directory. Someone please explain something.... To me, in this day and age, it is not 'what directories work for you', but rather 'who works for their directory' to make it the best it can be.
for me end user it for people looking for good forum listing that have information about that forum, i will try more than that... what people need to know about that forums, people using forum for marketing also backlink from signature, about that stats, it's will help user for waste they time with forum that no have any people to discuss about they topics herm.. if i wrong, sorry.. but i will do more after this.. thank you about your comment, it open my mind..
Marki8, to me it's not about right or wrong. If I could offer some feedback on what you have, I would say to enable those featured listing submitters to be able to pick and choose what stats to show. You could have those options on the submission page right up front that enabled them to pick and choose based on the type of link they've chosen, or you could even take it a step further and allow them to be able to turn them off/on via their own preferences by logging in and turning things on/off. Know what I mean? I think that delivers a better experience to the submitter, in allowing them to customize their own detail page whether form the submissions to the login. I hope you follow me in what I am trying to convey. If not I can always try and explain it a little better. Rob
If you ask me what unique I have, i'l just say the owner of my directory is unique from others... ok sorry bad joke! I don't see any directory being unique in ANY way in this directory industry. Same script, same concept, same mods, same old stories, same old crap. You don't need to be a php developer like anon or someone else to just make your directory unique. Unique is not about mods or codes as mentioned before. Unique is NOT according to me is doing something what someone doesn't have, BUT doing something by which the general public/visitor benefits well that's UNIQUE coz I haven't seen till date any directory why I will hang around even for 15 mins.