What is the best way to list sites on a Directory by default? Please answer to the pool! Page Rank; Alphabetic; Hits; Data Added; Random; Other (please post here)
I'm not sure there is a best way. It seems fairer that there is no consensus on this matter, and we see a variety of different ranking methods. One of the best ways to rank sites is by editor vote, which you haven't mentioned in the poll. It's a bit too time-intensive for most directories, but probably the fairest way of doing things.
I don’t know how to change the pool if any moderator can add the “editor vote†option, that is my second best option after date added.
I voted hits because I think that shows interest by visitors. On the other hand, the owner of the site might be the one doing all of the clicking, so implementing by unique IP might be required. Also, websites that are not listed on the first page will get less exposure and less clicks because of that. Gee, sounds like I'm trying to talk myself out of what I voted for.
Hits could be a good option, but you have to give the new sites the first place during 1 month or more so they could get some hits.
I use different ordering types on different directories. For Qualitative Sites I use first come first served, because it's an html directory and it's much easier that way. I use Page Rank and hits for others. By alphabetical order is not something I would ever go for.
Well a directory of directories obviously should be shown by pagerank, Otherwise probably by either when they were submitted or hits.
Date Added means that new submissions have the chance to get visibility, I don’t think is fair new sites that have pr0 and are trying to build links pay the same as other site and go to 2º page so they never manage to increase PR. Older sites already received PR and exposure so they can go to 2º page.
I voted pagerank but even still I don't think that's a good way to list sites. I'm using phpld and I kind of wish there was a way that I could assign my own score to the sites submitted to my directory....maybe I'll look into it.
Sites with pr has paid more in link building, money etc. Why they submit to your directory? Just for getting higher pr or hits. Usually people would like go old sites than new one, they believe high pr would be good quality.
This is the “editor vote†option on paid directories is really annoying because all the sites will ask for the maximum score , and they will get upset if you don’t give. For free directories I think is the best option.
Pagerank. I think it's fair to list it as that. Quality sites mostly get nice pageranks and quality sites deserve to be on top