Web Directories
Directory Web Sites are very
similar to forums in that once they become established the
content is constantly updated via new posts.
Website directories generally fall into one of 3
categories.
- Link Directories - Commonly a sub directory of the main
site used to list sites of common interest & establish
backlinks to the main site. Listings are usually free with
backlink but may include sponsored listings.
- Niche Directories - A directory website based around a
specific main topic, usually accepts both free & paid
listings you will find directories based on most major
topics.
- Web Directories - Very large multi topic directories,
free reciprocal & paid listings. The most influential
major web directory is DMOZ after developing any website
with original content you should apply for a listing in
Dmoz.
Link Directories
Depending on the "expert" you are listening to & when
the article you are reading was written you will find
conflicting information as to the SEO value of having a link
directory on your site. Search Engines are constantly changing
their algorithms & ranking criteria, however some things
never change quality original content & backlinks from
quality original content sites.
Although questionable for their SEO value some of my
sites that have link directories do generate incoming traffic
through the directory. Getting backlinks to your site will also
be very hard or expensive if you are not going to reciprocate
so link directories still have their place.
If you are going to incorporate a directory into your site
you need to ensure the script checks for backlinks. Its
somewhat self defeating to advertise someone else's site
without a backlink to yours when you are only looking for
backlinks in the first place.
Personally I use Esyndicat directory script for both
Link Directories & Topic Directories
Niche Directories
Unlike link directories which are also topic based a
Niche Directory is the primary website i.e. your index
page.
When people are searching for products or information in a
particular niche a directory as with a review site will get
their attention.
As an affiliate you may be looking & searching for
affiliate programs to join;
www.AffiliateProgramDirectory.com
www.TopAffiliateProgramDirectory.com
www.AffiliateProgramReviews.com
Will get your attention & possibly a click through. More
so than;
www.XYZAffiliateProgram.com
As you can see depending on the market & the
searches you are trying to cater for a Directory may be the
answer.
Monetizing your Directory
To start you will be the one adding listings to your
directory, join affiliate programs associated to your niche
& list the site & or product with your affiliate link.
Esyndicat has the ability to display
a different link than the actual url so your affiliate links
are hidden without the need for a redirect.
Add Affiliate Banners & or Adsense to your directory
pages
Reciprocal listings for a directory are advisable & do
have value so look for some listing partners - Primarily the
sites of value in your market not offering an affiliate
program, ask to trade links & offer paid banner advertising
in your directory.
Once you have listings & backlinks & you have
referenced your site a few times in forums, blogs, & social
bookmarks you will start to get both direct traffic &
search engine traffic. As more & more people find your
site, more people will want to list their site, new listings =
new content (don't get greedy & only accept paid listings)
new content = more free search engine traffic & so on.
All the features mentioned URL cloaking, Banner Advertising,
Adsense, Free & Paid Listings are available with
Esyndicat
P.S If you have an affiliate program you want a link to I
will accept links to my Affiliate Program Directory without
a reciprocal link.
Web Directories
Web Directories are exactly the same as Niche Directories in
structure but are not topic related. Getting a web directory
off the ground is a daunting task & not recommended for
newbie's. Unlike a Niche directory web directories are not
targeted at any particular topic so the SEO of the site is
extremely hard & getting traffic even harder. Unless
someone is searching using the term directory you are not
likely to find "ANY" web directory in the top 10 search
results. As this is where the traffic is all you are catering
for with a web directory are other webmasters looking for
backlinks, it may be a business but it is hard enough getting a
Niche Directory popular let alone a web directory.
If you decide on this course of action please let me know
how you get on.
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