Directory Listings and Why they are Important.

Directories are the most important place on the Web for a site to be listed. Yahoo and Yahoo UK and Ireland plus Google (which uses The Open Directory) account for 60% of all searches made on the 'net in the UK and Ireland. Because each site has been reviewed by a human being it is considered by most people (and most search engine spiders) to be more likely to be relevant to their enquiry than other sites. Directories do not depend on any meta tags but are purely judged on the unique content of your site. However, you only usually get 1 entry in a directory so getting it right is very important. Search engines view directory listings as a vote of confidence in your web site - which increases your chance of appearing in their searches.

If you wish to market in your own region and also worldwide, you need to ensure that you are in the appropriate regional and international versions of the directories.

Currently both Yahoo UK/Ireland and the ODP get you seen in the international versions of these directories. Yahoo UK/Ireland charges a one-off fee to commercial sites for a review of £199.00 which is a considerable saving over Yahoo International which charges $299.00 per year! However, sites submitted to Yahoo UK/Ireland will appear in the main Yahoo, so if you have a site which is based in or relevant to Ireland or the UK - it is best to submit to the regional Yahoo. Note: LookSmart powers the MSN directory currently - but will cease to do so in January 2004 (October 2003 in the UK).

Things that can get you rejected include selecting the wrong category for your listing. To avoid this, search for your primary key phrase in the directory data base and note the category. This is probably where you should be listed. Your title should be your company name or the title of your site. All directories ask you to write a brief description of your site. Be accurate and precise, avoiding any sales phrases such as 'the best site for..', 'we've got the cheapest...' etc. Sites that are slow to load, fail to work on both Internet Explorer and Netscape, are affiliate sites or have pages that are still 'Under Construction' will all lead to rejection. With the advent of paid reviews, some directories are unlikely to list a commercial site unless you pay to be reviewed.

Things that can downgrade your score include having information which is available from other sites in their database, having a slow site, using excessive use of downloads and banner ads or having links that do not fully work. Also be aware that using re-directs, having pop-ups when you enter the site and making it difficult (by disabling the back-button) to leave the site are also likely to reduce your success.

You can increase your score by making sure the Title of your page states clearly in 7-11 words what the page is about, ensuring that you point out in your description in 20-30 words of text factual details of the service or product you are providing. Providing information which is different in content or a service which is unique in your area usually ensures a listing.

Listings in paid for directories usually appear within 4 weeks of you being accepted. Free directory listings can take from 3 weeks to 2 years to appear! Any full search engine optimisation service (like MakeMeTop) pays certain directories to visit client sites and review them quickly (usually within 7 days). If you want to be sure that you are listed or have a chance to correct things which prevented your site getting in, then you should consider payment. This facility is available on our Professional and Traffic Builder plans and ensures not only accurate submission but that sites are listed quickly and efficiently, before your competitors!

Main Directories, which search engines use them and how long they can take to list your site.

• AltaVista - US and UK take directory data from LookSmart or LookSmart UK.
• AOL - uses ODP data. Directory listings appear above search engine listings in US and are a separate option in UK.
• Fast/AllTheWeb - uses ODP data to boost rankings.
• Google - uses ODP data to boost rankings. 
• HotBot - Uses ODP data. Directory listings can appear above search engine listings.
• LookSmart - $49 review fee plus $150 deposit. If accepted you pay them 15 cents per referral. Listing in 7-10 days.  
• Lycos - Uses ODP data for US and is about to use LookSmart data. UK uses own directory with Express inclusion for £125 - free inclusion 12+ weeks.
• ODP - lists in 3-12 weeks.
• Yahoo - $299 for commercial site review. Listing in 3 weeks. Annual renewal fee. Yahoo UK/Ireland - £199 for commercial site review, gets you into main Yahoo as well if you are a site based in the UK or Ireland - plus only charges a one-off fee.
• Other useful directories include JoeAnt, Gimpsy and GoGuides. 

Two other directories worth noting are Thunderstone which feeds information to the Dog Pile Meta Engine Directory (free) and The Mamma Collection (paid for) which appears on Mamma Meta Engine. Getting the right listing in directories is crucially important for your site. We ensure that it is done right and (providing on the plan used) we submit to all the above. In addition, we submit to UK Directories which are used extensively throughout the Commonwealth as well as in the UK.

 

 

Search Engine Optimisation, Meta Tags, Choosing Keywords, What Search Engines?, Directories, Pay Per Click, FAQs