What are the Guidelines for creating a new Good DIRECTORY?

What are the Guidelines for creating a new, Good DIRECTORY?
I have read many dont's in the forums. But I havent seen much Do's

 

Here is something I wrote a while back that should help to answer your question..... Article

 

Make sure that your directory has good listings of quality sites and the descriptions are helpful to visitors. Also, think about what you can provide for visitors that other directories cannot?

 

It is nice guide, i recommend.

 

The do's hmmm.

Create a unique cat structure.
List some quality sites in those cats.
Use unique site descriptions.
Keep tight control of listings to correct cats.
Charge fairly for reviews.
Advertise at webmaster / seo forums.
Submit your directory to directory lists & other quality directories.


Just some basics to get you started.

 

I'd start with a niche directory. Make it a niche that you care about. You'll find it easier to learn the concepts of running a directory and your quality will be higher. Once you've learned about your own niche then you can think about branching out to other areas that interest you.

 

that was a good read swedal !!

 

Of the many donts that you have read, look into them even further, fully understand why you should not do some of the things that people say not to do regarding a directory.

It will make getting it right so much easier.

As most of us have made the mistakes in the first place, it saves you going through the same troubles, but you must understand them first.

 

Do register a unique domain name. It does not have to be a .com, but do stay away from .info, smells like cheap, and cheap is the only reason people use them. Noone can ever logically justify otherwise.

Do create your own category structure. The name "category dump" speaks for itself, so I won't elaborate.

Many more, but I don't have the time right now.

 

Do something different. Make it stand out from the thousands of directories out there.

Once you find someway to make it different than the rest, use that difference in branding the directory.

 

One thing though: no matter what guidelines you create, if it's a free directory, most submitters just wont care to read...that's what happens with most free-model projects. People usually dont respect something they dont pay for...

 

"People usually dont respect something they dont pay for... "

That is one reason that reviewing free submissions is such a challenge.

Charge $10 or more and at least 80% of submissions will be good quality.