If someone were to write a directory script (freebie), what sorts of features would you like to see. I'm actually contemplating doing this, because I've seen endless requests for scripts, and new directories emerging almost daily. What would make a directory script *your* choice ? Cheers, JL
Umm yeah.. That's pretty broad (dooable - but broad). Besides, DC's script queries his own server to pull back the DMOZ categories in XML etc. I don't want a freebie script loading up my servers with queries. Nice idea tho.. it's more or less what I had in mind Cheers, JL
Let's see here... 1. Should be pre-populated with categories. 2. Should prefill page title and description by pulling it from the submitted sites automatically. 3. Should only ask relevant questions of submitters. 4. Should automatically e-mail submitters a confirmation e-mail. 5. Should automatically e-mail submitters an acceptance e-mail. 6. Should use english page filenames, with no dynamic variables. 7. Should automatically discover and optionally prevent duplicate links. 8. Should automatically discover and optionally prevent multiple pages from one web site. 9. Should have gotten more sleep; can't think to 10.
All quite dooable, except: Pre-populate categories.. (I'd be making assumptions in that regard, but easily done as a starter). The other thing is automatically retrieving descriptions. How would you formulate this automatically. Nice if there's a description meta, but most WM's want to submit keyword rich anchor and description info. What you've stated above is a decent list tho. How about cross referencing - ie category by region.. more or less like the advanced version of biz directory ? Cheers, JL
I've seen directories that do this. Unfortunately, I can't name one at the moment. <blush> What they do is have data entry fields to title and description, pre-filled with the data from your web site. The webmaster is then free to keep it or replace it. I'm probably not the best person to think about this one, I am very unhappy with geographical directories. I am not sure that the mean/median/mode webmaster feels the way I do.
It would be nice if it does like PRweb and eMEdiawire where they give your entry a rating and if it's quality (i.e. obviously spent some time preparing it) then get better ranking and your entry is submitted on to another N directories. Be first or be different. If you are going to write a directory you won't be first. This will give you the necessary 'difference' to stand out from the crowd IMO.
I'm (surprise) also writing a directory at the moment. How do people feel about making a directory's front page look a bit more interesting than the standard list of stock categories? i.e. not a full blown portal a la yahoo, but with a few bits and pieces to spice it up. Pretty annoying, I'm actually stalled on choosing a domain name at the moment!!! Anyway sorry for the (semi)hijack... I'll be following this thread with interest
Admin can add a submission and set it's type to Advertisement. Such that you can incorporate CJ banners in a category. Would force the listing to the top for that category. Can assign a priority to a listing, so certain entries can be "sponsored." Would force them just under "advertisements." Assignable keywords and descriptions (used as meta description/keywords) for each category. SE friendly URLs that are based on the category name. Option to make links to listing sites go through a transfer.php (redirection) or direct links.
Would be a nice feature. Sort of a CMS integrated, such that you can add content pages. As an example, I have web directory for my local city. I have hundreds of listings so far and those are just for my city and surrounding areas. I'd like to be able to add content, such as separate information about the city, history, activities, reviews, etc.
ability to add premium sponsors per category some form of automated acceptance for webmasters (dont know the rules - but I spend a lot of time checking and hand OK-ing people who submit) if you are required to pay but don't actually pay, delete submission from pending submissions list (if your dir is set up this way) ability to add some text above each category describing it otherwise each directory is a carbon copy of all the others ability to add in telephone number, address and email contact information (so it is ala yellow pages as well)
URL paths are important. Im so tired of seeing numbers and php because no one could develop a good rewrite or proper path set up. For directories URLs are very important!!