Effective Website Promotion by Chris Chenoweth
Online directories are locations where people go to find websites, the same way
they do with search engines. However, there are considerable differences
between the two. In order to be successful at increasing website traffic, it is
crucial for people to understand these differences.
Whereas search engines usually accept almost any site that is submitted to them
without looking at its quality, directories typically only accept sites that
offer quality content. Since humans review all websites submitted to
directories, low quality sites rarely get accepted.
Therefore, it makes sense to make sure that your website is ready before
submitting it to any directories. Remember that directories list sites, not
pages. In most circumstances, you should only submit the front page of your
website to directories.
WHICH DIRECTORIES SHOULD YOU SUBMIT TO?
You should always begin your website promotion agenda by listing your website
in the most popular online directories. These directories can significantly
affect your search engine ranking so it is a wise move to list your website
here before you submit to the search engines.
Directories can also send significant traffic to your website. Make sure you
are listed in all of the major directories before you try any other promotional
methods. In this way, you will have laid the groundwork for a successful
marketing campaign.
Submitting your website to the directories is an easy process, requiring very
little effort. However, making certain that the site will be accepted is the
difficult part.
Since directories are far more selective than search engines and require much
more preparation, you must become familiar with their policies before you
submit your website. If you do not follow their instructions carefully, your
website will be rejected.
If you are unsure about the appropriateness or quality of your website,
research web page design articles to see what works and what does not. The
primary goal of a webmaster should always be to have unique, high-quality
content and lots of it.
OPEN DIRECTORY PROJECT: The best directory to start with is the Open Directory
Project. Make sure you read their instructions carefully before you submit your
website. The editors usually review sites quickly and will not reject them
unless there is a good reason for doing so.
The Open Directory Project is free of charge, making it a perfect place to
start. Once you are successful at listing your website on the Open Directory
Project, you should move on to the number two directory.
YAHOO: Try to get your website listed in the Yahoo directory. Commercial
websites are charged a fee but it is worth the price. Non-commercial websites
are free. Again, make sure you read their instructions and guidelines carefully
before you attempt to list your site.
LOOKSMART: The third biggest directory is Looksmart. A good listing in it can
send a lot of visitors your way, but it is expensive. Looksmart does not draw
as many visitors as Yahoo or the Open Directory Project. However, MSN,
Altavista and Dogpile all use Looksmart's data in their search results, making
it attractive to a lot of people.
SUBMISSION PROCESS:
Now you know where you should submit but how do you get started? It is quite
simple. The first thing to do is to carefully read the rules and instructions
on how to submit. They are usually displayed when you are beginning the
submission process. Read them over a couple of times and follow them to the
letter.
Most directories consist of various categories and subcategories. Each category
consists of sites related to the category's name (e.g. the Business category
will only have sites relevant to business). You need to find the category (or
more often, subcategory) that most closely fits the subject matter of your
site.
You can accomplish this by browsing around the directory or by doing a search
on the keyword or keywords that are most relevant to your website. There may be
several categories that fit your website and you will have to choose the one
that most closely describes it. Make sure you submit your website to the most
accurate category for your site since submissions done to the wrong categories
are usually thrown out.
All directories will ask for the title and description of the website you are
submitting. Give careful thought to your choice. A good title can significantly
boost the amount of traffic you receive. A bad title can work against you and
decrease the amount of traffic you obtain from the directory.
Your title should be brief and include your most important keyword and start
with a letter that is close to the beginning of the alphabet. Many directories
list websites in alphabetical order and getting listed near the top can boost
your traffic.
Since the title has to be the official title of the site and it must be used on
your pages, you might be required to change the name of your site. The title
must sound like it just happens to start with a letter near the beginning of
the alphabet or it will get edited. Do not use hyperbole (best, unbelievable,
etc.) or all capital letters.
As with your title, do not stuff your description with cheap filler words
(greatest, cheapest, fantastic, etc.) Never use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. Write a
short (20-25 words) description that exactly describes your site and includes
one or two of your best keywords. Your description should flow smoothly. If the
editor thinks your description is just a list of keywords, he/she will reject
it. Try to make it sound like an objective review.
After you have entered all the information, check and re-check for any possible
typos or spelling errors. Be very careful typing in your URL as a typo in it
would result in your site never getting reviewed. When you are ready, hit the
submit button.
You will be notified by email if your website if accepted but not, as a rule,
if it is rejected. Therefore, it is difficult to know whether your site has
been reviewed and rejected or if it has not yet been reviewed. Give them enough
time to process your submission and wait a few weeks before you resubmit your
site.
If you would like information on additional methods of effectively promoting
your website, learn how to deliver an unstoppable flood of traffic and sales
with BUTTERFLY MARKETING!
About the Author
Chris Chenoweth, author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF
HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, writes articles pertaining to diet,
exercise, health, and business.
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