Web Directory Sites: How They Work

Web Directories are websites that act as directories of other websites. They are often human edited and focused on a particular topic. Search engines often give them a higher pagerank then other types of sites because they are considered a "reference" site - they provide information to the web based on human (not computer) preferences. So, how do you get your website listed in Web Directories? There are usually three methods, some of which cost money, others that don't (see below). I always choose the free method. Why? Search engines like it when a website grows links organically (i.e., slowly). The robots that comb the web are programed to recognize how fast a website builds links. If a site gets too many links to fast, the robots flag the site as possibly using a paid link strategy (a no-no). Remember, search engines are trying to give searchers relevant results; they don't want someone buying their way via paid links to the top. As with all worthwhile things, slow and natural is best.

Methods

The three standard listing methods for Web Directories are as follows:

1) Premium Listing (or some other term/category) = pay a bunch of money and get listed in the directory within 24 hours.

2) Standard Listing (or some other term/category) = pay a little money and get listed in the directory within 2 weeks.

3) Free Listing (or some other term/category) = submit your site to the appropriate subcategory page, wait in the queue for up to 9 months, and hope that it gets listed.

As noted above, although option 3 is slow and not guaranteed, it is the best.

Submitting

Web Directories work by placing links in relevant categories. Go to the main page of the directory, rummage around until you find the most appropriate category for your site/blog, and then look for the little link/tab that says "Add a URL" (or something similar). This will often take you to a page that gives you the three options explained above. Choose the Free Option and fill in your information.

What if they only offer a reciprocal link option as a free option? No problem, put up a random dummy page somewhere on your site that is just for directories. This is where you put the reciprocal link. You don't have to have the dummy page listed anywhere on your site. Now you can put up a reciprocal link, get listed for free, and not worry about having random links/banners on your site that you don't want visitors to find.

What if they want me to register? Again, no problem. I use an email account on Google (for free) that is only for such purposes. That way my "real" email does not get spammed (although all directories claim that they will not sell your email), and I can walk away from the directory email account without losing anything. I also use this email for all other types of sites that require registration.

Web Directory submission is a slow, long-term process. Do a couple a day. Not all web directories are suitable for your site. The list compiled is just a list - this is the web after all, things change fast.

Now, begin submitting and building links.