The reason why I hate some directories is that it takes longer to put in a link in. I always have clients that I'm not 100% sure where I should put them in what catagory - and then it gets rejected because I submitted the link in the wrong area. I also hate them because it takes them so long to approve a link. Call me impatient, but there's nothing like leavinig a link in a dofollow blog/forum or a SBM site. I'd rather write an article and submit it to EZineArticles.com - at least I know for sure I get a link once my article gets approved. I know 99% of you love directories - but I have one question - why do you prefer them over other linking techniques?
Why dont you try contacting the directory first then instead of blindly submitting to a category that will result in it getting rejected? As you're offering seo services then its part of your responsibility to get the site listed as closely as possible, your clients are expecting this of you. Turning the table around a minute you should see the threads where directory owners hate submitters like you I guess you could say theres a mutual dislike, on both sides there can be frustrations.
You are obviously talking about free directories? If you are getting something for free and you still want more out of it, its actually funny! Incase its a paid submission, point out directories that trouble you.
All techniques require for serps but i noticed one thing that if u got result from directory submission that will be stable for long time then use of other techniques
For some reason with directories when you are offering people something for free they tend to protest more, yet a paid submitter will mostly just accept the rejection and move on. Its like the fact that they are getting something free puts them into this mode where they see how far they can push their luck.
as i know most of web directory owner own more than 1 directory, and part of them only will maintain their sites when they receive paypal payment notification emails. therefor you always take long time to get review. anyway you will get a notification when your site get approve. you can also try to submit your submission to newer web directories.
If you're not sure of the best-fitting category for the link you intend to submit, consider using the contact form on the very directory to get in touch with the owner. Many free directories receive numerous submissions everyday (50 to hundreds) and it comes to a time when the editors can't handle it all as quickly as submitters would expect. Most pay-for-review directories I know approve links within 24 or 48 hours. They can even go as far helping submitters to rewrite the description and title, in order to make listings unique and to maintain quality. If you're an SEO, it's a good idea to include directory submission in the package you offer your clients. Blog commenting is good but links can be removed at any time or the owner might decide to turn the blog into NoFollow. I've had these incidents personally. I combine all the options available, to get the maximum effect.
Free directories are good way to get back links to rank low competitive keywords. I've noticed increase in SERP in my websites by submitting in free directories. However, you need to browse directory first for right category before submitting
Absolutely buddy. People love to hijack the mind of a free directory owner and torture him to the max! Poor free directory owners; tortured, criticized and abused!
Web directories should be one part of a link building campaign. With that said, you should be looking at the pros and cons of every type of link. Articles take time to write, but you get the link pretty quick. Free directory submissions take almost no time at all but take time to get the link approved. Forum postings give you a quick link that falls off the map at some point in time. Paid directories get you a permanent link, but cost some money. Niche directories will often get you a free link with fairly fast approval. Relevant one way inbound links from others in your niche give you a good permanent link, but take a lot of time and effort to acquire. After comparing the pros and cons you should decide what fits your business model best (price vs. time vs. effort) and structure your link building accordingly.
I can't speak for anyone else but if it weren't for the idiot SEO companies who persist in submitting travel, hotel, SEO, web hosting, radio, doctor, dentist, car and a whole host of other non-related sites to my craft directory it wouldn't take me so long to approve the good ones.
Ok, let me ask the million dollar question.... What is the URL to the site that keeps getting rejected? Are you sure its not the quality of the URL being submitted or possibly a combination of both (low quality and poor category placement)? The reason why I ask is that most serious directory owners will create an appropriate category for your listing if one does not already exist. And if you feel that is not happening, do as pipes said and contact the directory owners first. Granted that takes more time to submit, but if you are submitting to free directories it costs you nothing but a little extra time. And the directory owner just may give you some feedback that can help you down the road. Most free directories lack the resources to provide a high level of service. I've seen some free directories that received over 800 submission in a day. Granted, a good portion of that is spam. But it still consumes the directory owners time and after a while it just gets easier for them to click the remove button...
Somehow it's true that many free directories shouldn't even exist : multiple on same shared IP, same links, etc
Then that answers my question right there...I'll concentrate in that area. Thank you freeListFool. For the rest of you and even the sarcastic ones - thanks for your replies. I still hate directories though!
It's not fair to hate directories just because of the approval time. You should be thankful that web directories still exist today. They are still good source of free backlinks.
It depends really on why you get rejected....I have thus far never rejected a good site which meets the basic requirements for submission.
Well, i'm not fond of directory submission either but I use an automatic directory submitter and the fact that its free - so I won't complain.