A web directory is a directory on the web. It specializes in linking to other web sites which are sorted by categories, which makes browsing more efficient and effective to its visitors looking for specific sites. Web directories accept links from webmasters or site administrators seeking to submit their site for inclusion, the sites are then reviewed by a human editor who usually does a review of the site to determine its quality and content before approving it.
TYPES OF DIRECTORIES
General
This directory basically consist of many categories divided into smaller categories and will include a variety of different website e.g. business, computers, health, etc. These directories can become quite large with the continual growth of categories and sites added.
Niche
These directories are also known as specialty directories in which they specialize or cater to one category of products and services or themes. These directories are quite useful less overwhelming than the vast content of a general directory.
Paid
A fee is charged for reviewing the submitted website, there is no guarantee of your site being approved and usually there is a no-refund policy (there are a few exceptions to this rule). Some others will simply include your site once the fee is paid, many webmaster prefer this method because of it's fast inclusion.
Reciprocal
There is a mutual linkage between two websites in order to ensure mutual traffic, the site submitting must place a link from their site before approval or inclusion. Please note this does not guarantee inclusion, beware of unscrupulous sites that approve your site then shortly thereafter remove your link.
Free
As the name implies these directories are free and do not require a link back, sometime these sites do get backed up, the higher the page rank, the more popular the directory is, so submission and approval periods may be long, but these free directories are by far the best in my opinion, unless your have the means of paying for your site submission.
Basically the benefits of any web directory is to provide your site with incoming links or reciprocal links a combination of the two links would be ideal in getting your site moved up in page rank. Getting your site indexed by spiders and search engines Bring targeted traffic to your website because visitors would already have an idea of what your site is about. Get higher ranking for targeted keywords. Help contribute to an increase in page rank.
Is the page rank of the directory you are submitting to important?
Well I will have to say, yes, but this must not be the only factor in your decision to use that directory, for instance a directory may have a low rank because its new, every website at one time or the other started off with a 0 page rank, if we were all to spurn a site because of a 0 PR then we'd all be out of business. Ultimately the decision is yours but a site should be judged by the quality of the sites it contains, back links and content.
Check Directories For
No Follow - there is a "no follow" tag associated with the link, meaning search engines will not follow the link.
Uses Redirects
Uses unscrupulous reciprocal methods- removing sites shortly after approving them to boost their own incoming links
Links embedded in JavaScript and other codes that search engines can't follow.
Submitting to web directories is not the only means of promoting your site or building back links but it is a very important one.
About the author:Karleen P. 32 yr female, located in Florida, USA. Web administrator of links-to-us.com
Anonymous
10:03 PM
Additional Info:
Before you start submitting your AdSense site to one of these web directories, you need to formulate a good plan in order to achieve best results. You should consider the following before you begin your submission:
1. You should study each directory and determine which category that is best fit your domain/sites. You can write a concise, accurate description of your AdSense site after careful research of your site’s category.
2. You need to procure a best description for your AdSense site in each category. You can mention your unique selling proposition in your AdSense site’s description. 3. Please make sure there are no repeat keywords on the description.
You can suggest a new category to the owner of directory if you couldn’t find your desired specific category.
4. You may also use the paid or premium listings of a directory to get your AdSense site listed quickly. Some of the search engines measure link popularity in the quickness your site appears in a given high - pr directory.
5. You should verify your site manually after each submission. If your site is not listed in the given amount of time, you can resubmit it to the directory after 4 weeks.
6. You should keep track of your submissions dates, categories, descriptions, titles and so on.
7. You should always submit your domain name instead of a page.
Hope it helps
sushithmn
1:22 AM
Thanks Casey Yew for such an informative comment.Much appreciated.