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Web Directory Submission Analysis and Guide
By: Sitecritic.Net

Why Submit To Web Directories

Many people are paying alot of money to submit their urls to web directories mainly because of 3 reasons:

a) To get permanent 1 way link.
b) To get a good Google PR page linking to your site.
c) To get traffic / leads from directories.

Coincidently, the first 2 factors are part of the mathematics that determine how well your site will rank in Google Search Engine. Because of that, the "Web Directory Industry" exploded and you see tonnes of new web directories appearing eveyday. Even Yahoo and Microsoft have their own web directories.

The Problem

When everyone starts doing that, the World Wide Web becomes a place full of directories and links with no real content. So, our big brother Google decided to flex its muscle by treating directory websites as "Link Farms" and banned them. If you stumble across any old directory websites with PR of 0, you know that these websites are the victims of Google slaughter. The implication is that your one way link in their website will not help your google ranking at all. Many webmasters who depended on their directory site for income cursed and sweared.

The contradicting part is that Google actually uses data from dmoz.org which is another web directory! I do not believe that Google can ban all the web directories around but I think they can come up with valid excuses to ban any sites they do not like. This is like being able to sentence someone to death with any reasons that you can come up with...scary?

Are Web Directories Dead

Many people do not think so. I do think that Google will eventually make Web Directories useless in providing one way links and PR unless these directories can show that they are different. Google has already changed their ranking algorithm such that PR becomes devalued. One way links have to pass through strict filter to really make any impact. So, to rely on factor a) and b) to boost Google ranking is no longer valid (See on top). If you want to rely on directories to get hits would be even harder. Statistics show that directories do not provide leads many other webmasters. Unless you are doing some sort of advertisements in the directory site, it is unlikely that anyone will notice your url especially when you are with hundreds of urls.

MSN and Yahoo Search Engines

Unlike Google, most of the traditional SEO linking and directory submission tactics still works for MSN and Yahoo search engines (You will notice that your msn ranking will climb up much faster than your google ranking). However I believe that in the near future, MSN and Yahoo will try achieve Google-like ranking algorithm. It is possible that they might choose not to follow google.

Invest in Web Directories or Not?

Submitting urls to good web directories is a quick way to get strong 1 way links and can help your site be spidered quickly. Dmoz especially, can make significant impact to your google ranking. I am not really concern about other directories but to be included in famous directory like business.com or botw.org gives my site recognition and prestige. In short, I would not want to spend too much time and money in submitting to web directories.

What Directories To Submit

1) If you decide to submit to directories, you will definitely want to start with dmoz.org. I would recommend you to just go for a deep category with very few sites but with an editor available. You do not need to worry about the page rank of the category because the chances of you getting into a high Page Rank category is slim and not worth waiting. Just submit and heck care. Personally, I do not believe that DMOZ will survive for long because it is maintained by volunteers and that the data could be subjected to manipulation. To me, the main reason why it is still surviving is because Google is using their data.

2) The next directory to submit is MSN small business directory. If you want value for money, this is the one. Though the categories are cluttered, you can get your urls into a few categories. They also give you a personal page where you can promote your company.

3) The next one you want to try is botw. The submission fee is $40 per site but because they have been around for quite a while, it is unlikely that google will kill them. Many directories with high PR might have their PR dropped to 0 overnight and you would be heart broken if you submitted your site to their directories. I wrote an article on how to submit to BOTW: http://www.sitecritic.net/articleDetail.php?id=76

4) You may submit to other web directories if you want but generally, I would not recommend spending more that $200 for web directory submissions. If you think you are rich, pay $300 and go for Yahoo Directory.

Conclusion

There will still be future for web directories but directories that do not provide extra services other than just listing URLs will die off slowly. Web directory submission is not the best way to get your ranking up in Google and will not provide you with impressive leads. However, submitting your site to a few famous directories will built up your reputation and web presence.

About The Author Sitecritic.net is formed by a group of web addicts, mainly volunteers from all over the world. Our goal is to create a community of web designers and developers who share the common interest in bringing out the best in creatiing effective web sites. admin@sitecritic.net

This article was posted on January 06, 2006
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