In your mad rush to get your website to the top, you may have tried everything: keywords, swapping links with other websites, promoting yourself through blogs or social networking sites, or maybe even paying other websites to link to yours. In all that running around, you may have forgot one thing, and that is getting listed on directories.
Getting listed on these web directories is more of an involved process than having your site appear on Google (excluding the first page, of course). Unlike search engine results, directory lists are the result of human labor, and to get on that list you have to submit your site for review. Directories cannot accept every submission, meaning that there is a chance that your site will be rejected. There are ways to decrease your chances of rejection, and a general outline of how to do that is detailed below.
The first thing you should do is learn about each individual directory. Each directory is different, from the way they categorize pages to the how long they allow your site description to be. Main categories are generally the same (News, Health, Shopping, etc.), but subcategories can vary widely between the different web directories. When you submit your directory, you should make sure it is in the most accurate category possible, which will not only increase your chances of getting a site listed, but will also increase the chances of someone clicking on the link that leads to your site. Keep in mind that there are directories out there that focus exclusively on a single topic, and if your site fits within that topic it can be well worth your time to submit for listing there.
Different directories also vary in how long your site description can be. Some allow only a few words, such as 30 or 40, while others give you freedom to use 200 or even 300 words, allowing you to write a more thorough explanation of the content on your site. Preparing descriptions of various length early on can make this aspect of the listing process much easier down the road.
Your site’s content must be good, and preferably as unique as possible. If your site contains information already available on dozens of other sites that are already listed in that directory, the editor reviewing your site may decline your request.
Getting listed in some of the bigger directories will also get you listed in smaller ones. This is particularly true of the Open Directory Project, which serves as the basis of several other directories, meaning that if you can get your site linked there, your site will be automatically added to several others over the following two or three months.
Finally, you should be aware that several directories out charge for their listings. This can be done through annual fees, pay-per-click pricing, or some other model. A lot of them are free, but not all.
Get a free link to your site – submit it for free to the Best LInks Around and Top Links link directories.
