Why bother with directory submissions?

There are several reasons as to why web developers should strongly consider obtaining links from web directories. Some reasons are as simple as getting exposure for the website up to the more complex ones like acquiring inbound links that is needed to go up the search engine rankings. Other reasons for directory submission include:

1. Search engines will have an easier time locating the website since it is categorized in these web directories. Also, when search engines do their searches, they usually search in these directories to find a particular subject that they are looking for. Getting listed in these directories will translate into more exposure and search visibility for the site which will bolster up its search engine rankings.
2. Web directories are also a great source for back links and quality inbound links for a web site. With the meticulous and long process that its editors do in listing sites, it is almost a guarantee that links belonging to directories are all relevant and quality ones. Getting links or linking to these sites will make a web site more enticing and authoritative for search engines.
3. Submitting to directories will also result in increased search engine indexing. Assuming that the back links to the web site have significantly gone up, search engines will be able to find the site just by following the outbound links from other websites. This increases the probability of the website being indexed or bookmarked in the search engine’s database.
4. Getting listed is a great way of raising brand awareness and doing some brand marketing. Developers are basically promoting the contents of their websites when they submit links to web directories. Developers can also hit on their target markets when they submit to web directories since most web directories are very popular among users and usually show up first in search engine results.

Searching for the right directories

With all these benefits, it’s clear to see that submitting to directories is a critical strategy, one that any business should capitalize on in promoting its websites. To know what directory to submit links to, one should know and seek out search-engine friendly directories. Search engine friendly directories usually link not just to the websites’ homepage but more importantly to pages within the website. This process is called deep linking. Deep linking is important because it makes a web site look more relevant in the eyes of search engines. It will also cater to specific subjects which will in turn make it easier for search engines to search within the website. All of these result in a higher page ranking for the website. Not only this, search-engine friendly directories help expedite indexing for the website in search engine databases. For businesses or individuals with some budget allocated for directory submission, there is always the option of hiring a professional SEO service company. Since it is basically their business to improve web directory submission and the whole process of link building, hiring professional service will definitely bring a big boost to a web site’s search engine rankings. Directories allow customers to search for what they specifically want and not deal with situations wherein what they have to search long and hard to find the specific web site that would cater to their needs. Capitalizing on the potential that web directories will give web developers is crucial in attaining success in the competitive Internet landscape.

Link building and the whole process of search engine optimization are important especially for businesses to maximize the potential that the Internet offers them. Working a website up the search engine rankings requires dedication and a lot of creative effort. Creative effort because not only is SEO a game of link quantity, it also a process wherein developers create websites that will entice their target markets and acquire quality inbound links in the process.

Web Directories If a developer wants his website to rank well in search engines, quality content should be present, first of all. After providing the content, the next task would be to build the connections that will promote the website and result in customer traffic for it.

Manual Directory submission is one of the foremost strategies that developers can apply to achieve success in their search engine optimization process.  In layman’s terms, directories are lists of websites that are broken down into specific categories and subcategories. Being listed in directories would include a short description of the website and a link that will take the reader/customer into the website listed. It is very much like a search engine but is more user-friendly. Also, web directories are managed by human editors who spend their time going through the thousands of submissions that they receive and listing the ones that pass their strict quality standards. SEO friendly directories are aplenty in the online market nowadays. Many of them have been around for a long time while some others are relatively new in the field. Submitting to these directories is a strategy that has been applied by online advertisers and developers for a long time now. It has been proven important especially in acquiring relevant back links into the owner’s web sites.

Manual Directory Submission While there are various automatic submission software programs that webmasters can use to do their directory submissions for them, manual submission is still the more recommended strategy for directory listings.

Not only does it result in more links, manual submission also results in relevant and more quality links than automatic ones. Though very arduous and laborious compared to the easier automatic submission, investing time and effort in directory submissions is one of the cheapest tricks that can be implemented in the link building process. As was said above, it results in significant increase in customer traffic and inbound links for that matter, a very important factor in the algorithms used by search engines like Google and Yahoo. The time it takes for listing a web site in directories is certainly not short. The process is very long and, especially for top notch directories in the Internet, very hard. It is very advantageous for webmasters to fully develop their web pages first before submitting them to these directories unless they are okay in taking the risk of being rejected and black-listed altogether.

Benefits of Manual Submission

1. Branding: Manual submission provides developers the chance to be more in control with their link building process and directory submissions. It creates a brand for the web site and developers can capitalize on this because it requires them to generate their own strategies and content that they will submit to these directories.
2. Traffic Targeting: They do not just leave the fate of their search engine rankings to software because they are in full control of the whole process. Manual submission will also result in customer traffic that is specifically being catered to by the developer’s website. This is an assurance that automatic submissions cannot really provide.
3. Quality Evaluation: Most directories like Google, Yahoo, and the Open Directory Project or DMOZ gives developers an option to manually submit their links because they have trained staff who are capable of handling and processing these submissions. These directories in return will require developers full disclosure and conformity to the rules and guidelines of their directories. Automatic submissions also lack these features as they only rely on the program with which they are submitted, which cannot sufficiently decide and evaluate submissions as well as trained staff.
4. Category Specific: Manual submissions will also enable developers to carefully place their web sites in directories and choose the categories and subcategories they would like to be listed to. It goes through filtering which automatic submission normally would not be able to do. Most web directories and article directories feature anti-spam devices that will reject any spam submissions — including ones made by automatic submission software.
5. Relative Linking: Web directories usually place links in categories where they deem it will fit but this would entirely depend on the web site and its features; especially the content and keywords used in its pages. Because of this categorization by web directories, search engines like Google will have an easier time finding the website. It will be faster for search engines to determine a listed website’s topic which in turn will make it easier to relate it to specific topics being searched for.
6. Higher Website Standards: Directories are also very meticulous when it comes to the site as a whole that is why it is advantageous to fully develop every aspect of the site first before submitting them to directories for listing. Manual submission requires developers to submit a well-developed site without the features that most directories hate. A website’s reputation and eventually search engine ranking will largely depend on how well-developed and how minimal the glitches are in the web pages.

Link building and the directory submission process require patience and hard work. However, the benefits they confer are very useful in search engine optimization. Investing in manual directory submission is always one of the best and most efficient ways to move one website’s way up to the search engine rankings.

If you pursue high quality link building using other methods and increase inflow of backlinks by submitting your URL effectively to Internet directories, the greater your change in breezing ahead of your competitors. The successful use of directory submission to boost link popularity and rankings depends on the number and quality of directories you submit your website to. The importance of “quality” in directory submissions, as in other link building methods cannot be overemphasized. Algorithms in Google and other major search engines favor sites listed in high quality directories.

Are Free Directories Worth It? There are thousands of possible directories that you could submit your website to for your link building campaign, but screening out thousands into a group of high quality directories will take time. When time is an issue for you, you can hire a link building company to handle directory submissions for you. High authority directories are the most popular go-to directories for site owners who are gunning for top spots in the SERP rankings. An important option you need to consider if you intend to submit a URL to an Internet directory for enhanced link popularity is The Open Directory Project at DMOZ.org. The Open Directory Project feeds content to search engines like Google, Lycos, Hotbot, AOL Search, Ask Jeeves and Netscape, among others.

Listing your site at DMOZ is helpful to your link building campaign since this allows your information to be found on several smaller search engines and directories on the Web. Moreover, DMOZ is considered to be among the free higher authority directories that are guaranteed to build link popularity. The downside with DMOZ however, is that its free listing feature subjects sites to very strict quality control procedures before submissions are accepted. Hence, acceptance is not easy and turnaround takes a considerable amount of time. Despite this, site owners must consider submitting to DMOZ and other free quality directories for link building. They must also submit to paid directories listings for site inclusion.

Paid Directories Why do you need to pay fees to be included in the directory listing? According to Matt Cutts of Google, the purpose of the fee in a high quality directory is to compensate the time and effort of someone (an editor) doing a genuine evaluation of a URL or site. There have been concerns that Google’s rejection policy of URLs with paid links would render listing into paid directories useless in link building efforts, but Cutts has explained it clearly that Google does not penalize directories requiring minimum fees for editorial reviews. What Google blacklists are directories that sell links for link juice, passing PR and purely for profit with no regard for the end user. If used effectively, directory submissions as a link building method guarantees a high return on investment (ROI).

By increasing the number of backlinks to your site, directory submissions help you gain link popularity and a better placement on the SERP rankings. Directory submissions are a long-term advertising technique that can directly send customers at your doorstep. Since it acts like an online phonebook of sites, having your site listed in many quality directories means a greater likelihood for prospective customers to view your site and obtain contact information. In the group of paid Internet directories, there are major differences in payment options. Some charge a lifetime or one-time fee and others charge an annual or recurring fee. Depending on your ROI goals, you need to evaluate the payment guidelines and review payment options before selecting the directory to submit to. Here are definitions to guide you:

1. Paid web directories. These are Internet directories that charge site owners a fee for their site inclusion on the directory. They are also called premium, commercial, or pay-for directory listings. Among the high authority paid directories include Yahoo! Directory, Skaffe, Joeant, Abilogic, eLib, and BOTW Directory.
2. Annual fee web directories are directories that charge site owners an annual fee to get listed on the directory. They are also referred to as recurring fee, recurring membership listings, or recurring fees.
3. Permanent fee web directories require a one-time charge for directory listings. This means that you pay a lifetime fee for site inclusion.

There is some debate on which payment option is best. Some prefer the permanent fee listings since it is more economical, but others question the quality of services in one-time listings. Recurring or annual fees are usually paid in order to maintain directories. As submissions increase, the larger the directories become, so Internet directories deem it fitting to charge site owners to maintain the directories and pay for editorial costs to ensure effective and sustained indexing for Google rankings. The choice is entirely left on the discretion of the site owner. A rule of thumb: do not pay too much for submission to paid directories. Submit to free directories and suggest your site only to high quality paid directories that guarantee ROI.

Why is correct category finding important in a link building campaign? Before you can expect to fare well in link popularity or search engine rankings when using web directories for link building, it is crucial to understand how web directories actually work and how they operate. In simple terms, web directories serve as catalogs of web sites sorted by categories and subcategories. Unlike search engines that allow you to locate pages with relevant information, web directories allow you to locate websites according to category.

Directory submissions are one of the easiest ways to acquiring links to boost your website’s link popularity, but among the most confusing steps in suggesting a site for inclusion is the first step: selecting the right category to suggest your site to. Finding the right category is important for possible inclusion to a web directory because it increases your chances of getting your suggestions acted upon by editors more promptly. Sites that are suggested under incorrect categories delays the submission process. Hence, choosing the correct category is important if you are serious about improving your site’s link popularity.

How do I find correct categories for submission? Emphasis on link building using web directories is on the most popular directories, namely Google Web Directory and Yahoo! Web Directory. Here is a preview of how each of them organizes categories so you can find the most suitable category to submit your URL to.

Google Web Directory

Google stands out among other web directories for some enhanced features such as importance ranking, which is a plus factor for link building campaigners. Google Web Directory has a corps of Open Directory volunteer editors that selects websites and categorizes them. Using Google’s patented PageRank mechanism, the web directory is able to display a ranking of sites based on importance. This notable feature makes the highest quality pages appear at the uppermost in any directory category.

Other web directories list sites within each category alphabetically, but Google uses PageRank to sort sites according to their importance. The highest-rated sites receive a green ratings bar to indicate their popularity in terms of PageRank. This helps users effectively launch a link building campaign by enabling them to determine which sites under any category are worth browsing.

When choosing the correct category for directory submission, submit your URL only under the most related categories to your site. Keep in mind that search engine rankings and link popularity emphasize on relevancy. Google directory narrows your search from a broad range of topics or category. It displays topics in a given category and can recommend terms that will help you conduct a narrowed search. Further, it lets you search subcategories once you narrow your topic of interest within a specific subsection.

To help you locate the most popular subcategories within a broad category, the largest subcategories are displayed in boldface. Google’s World Category features directory content using descriptions in non-English languages. To illustrate, in World/Francais, content and descriptions are written, not merely translated, entirely in French so that a whole section of the Web is displayed completely in that language.

Yahoo! Directory

The Yahoo! Directory features 14 main categories to browse on. Each main category is composed of several sub-categories that organize general information to specific information. The Yahoo! directory can list sites either in alphabetical order or by popularity. The popularity listing allows pages to be sorted by relevance based on Yahoo! Search Technology, helping your link building efforts focus on sites that are worth checking out.

When submitting for a URL to Yahoo! Directory with improving your site’s link popularity in mind, to choose the most suitable category for your website. Here are a few tips:

1. Be specific. If you want to suggest your site for inclusion to Yahoo! Directory to help you improve link popularity, be meticulously specific. You can search Yahoo! Directory for words related to your site, and from there, view “Related Categories” that are displayed in the results.
2. Indicate whether your site is commercial or non-commercial. If your website is entrepreneurial in nature, it belongs to the Business and Economy section. Commercial sites require paid-for listings which cost $299/year.
3. Specify the region when applicable. If your site is of particular relevance to a region, you must suggest your URL to a regional category. For example, a museum in California should be suggested under Regional > U.S. States > California > Arts and Humanities > Museums, Galleries and Centers.
4. Personal. Suggest your personal web pages under the category Society and Culture > People > Personal Homepages.

Uncertain? If you think you have found the right category to submit to, check out what sites are already listed under it. If you find that they are unrelated, think twice before submitting. View the “Description” of this category or go to the “See also” heading and look at a list of related categories to help you find a better location. To use directories effectively and establish your site’s link popularity, always ensure that you submit your URL to the relevant directories and to the correct categories and subcategories within these web directories. The task may be time-consuming, but with a little patience, you will see inflow of links to your site.

If you want to boost search engine rankings, focus on how to acquire quality links using link building techniques. There is no one best method to launch a successful link building campaign. There are several ways, in fact. When you are after link popularity, using different but reliable means of getting links should always be welcome. This is why leveraging the power of web directories to elevate your link popularity and catapult your site to the top of SERP hierarchy deserves serious attention.

What is a web directory? A web directory is oftentimes mistaken for a search engine but a distinction has to be drawn. A web directory acts like a catalog on the World Wide Web that lists sites according to category and subcategory. These directories are considered human edited resources because sites are subjected to a manual review process before their listing gets approved. Any website owner can submit their URL to a web directory – some for free and some for a fee. Since we are talking about getting free links to improve link popularity, we focus on submission to free directories available on the Web.

How does directory submission contribute to link popularity? Judging by the single link and search capability of a web directory, a site owner acquires a vast number of potential link partners begging to be added. With the use of appropriate strategies, web directories can improve link popularity to a great degree. In order to get a clear picture of how free quality directories boost link popularity, it is important to understand how search engines work. Basically, search engines aid users in locating relevant information based on keywords typed in the search.

Search engines then evaluate the relevance of your page based on a number of factors, including:

1. meta data on your page, to include page title and keywords
2. page content and keyword density
3. absence or presence of keywords in the URL leading to the page
4. number of links from related pages on quality sites that link back to the page
5. number of links pointing from your site to related pages on quality sites. While all of the factors are rated with a certain value by search engines, all rate the number of links pointing to the page highly.

Several benefits can be reaped by submitting your URL to a free web directory:

1. Listing your website with free directories give you permanent links that boost link popularity. By using targeted anchor text and “themed” submissions, the relevancy of keywords on your site are improved.
2. Link building through directory submissions let you acquire links from related pages. For instance, if your site is related to travel, your URL submission is approved only if it is submitted under a travel category, or a travel category within a general directory. This guarantees that links pointing to your web site come only from relevant pages, which search engines love.
3. Directory submissions replicate “natural links,” which are favored by search engines. A natural link is acquired once a site owner voluntarily creates a link pointed at your site.
4. Submitting to directories give you instant targeted visitors that are vital to any link building effort. Although their popularity has been replaced by search engines, people still depend on online directories to locate relevant websites. Having your website listed in free quality directories increase the potentiality of receiving user traffic.
5. Free quality directories can create one-way links. Site owners commonly link to other sites for link building. Swapping or trading links are usually done in order to get a permanent back link from a related website. While there are many free directories that act as link exchanges, there are also free quality directories where links are permanent, free, and does not require reciprocal linking. If you have a terrific website, directory owners would be more than willing to link to your site if you request so.
6. Free directory submissions provide permanent results for a one-time investment. Whether you do the directory submission yourself or hire a link building company to do it for you, it is a worthwhile effort. For a one-time investment, you get permanent and free links that will enhance link popularity and visibility of your site.

Where and how do I submit my URL? The most popular choice is the DMOZ directory, which is a free listing online directory. DMOZ has been operating for many years and catalogs more than four million categorized Web sites. It is maintained by a large number of editors that add new URLs of approved sites to for categorization under relevant topics or areas. However, there are alternative free online directories out there that can help your link building campaign. Identify those directories first. Once you come up with a list of free web directories and before you submit your URL to them, go to each site and review their guidelines for submission to the letter.

Generally, experts put a red flag on directory submission services since it gives you no control over how the submission is handled, if at all. It could also turn you into a potential spammer, which will eventually get you blacklisted, and hurt your site’s link popularity. Google and other search engines are known to penalize associations to so-called “bad neighborhoods,” or sites that abuse SEO techniques and search engine algorithms.