TELL THE WORLD ABOUT YOUR SITE
The Basics of Directory Submissions
Were you to open any brick and mortar business, advertising would be one of your primary objectives. It isn’t any different than that in the virtual world. Except instead of using display or classified ads or the yellow pages, you must submit your website information to what are known as site directories.
You could go directly to Google, Yahoo or the other search engines and fill out their website submission forms, but we don’t recommend you do that. Normally this takes months to get you indexed, and we’re sure you want to get this accomplished more quickly than that. That’s why manual submissions to directories is a lot faster and the more accepted way of getting your site indexed.
Search engine spiders are constantly crawling these directories looking for new and interesting sites. Many of these sites offer free directory submissions, a side benefit. Google in particular is very aggressive in combatting click fraud by constantly upgrading complex algorithms to make sure overly aggressive site submissions are penalized.
So the answer is not to try to beat the search engines, but instead play by their rules. It will greatly benefit you in the long run.
Manual submissions to Web Directories
Don’t rely on software to do this important task. Manual submissions to directories can be a time consuming but worthwhile process. There are tons of directories out there. You must choose which directories to submit your site to. Here is a link to some of the best free directories. There are many other sites, but this will get you started.
http://www.best-web-directories.com/free-directories.htm
Look them over, pick some out based on your keywords and submit your site. Once you are approved, your site will be indexed and you should start showing up in the search engines. This is vital if you want people to find you and see what you have to offer. Of course there are hundreds if not thousands more web directories. Do a Google search to find more directories to submit to. The more directories you submit to the better your chances of getting higher placement in the search engines.
OK, now it’s time to write you submission form.
Here are some guidelines as to what to write about your site. Your site will be reviewed by a person, and editor, not a robot, so you must write in that style.
Your site should be complete. No under construction or incomplete pages. Otherwise you will be quickly rejected.
Your title, keyword and description has to be all set.
What are your niche products and services? Focus on those in your description.
Your site’s meta keywords should mirror your products and services. Think of five or six focused in keywords rather than 30 or 40. Live those keywords in everything you think about in regards to your site. Your descriptions are based on these keywords.
As we mentioned earlier, manual submission to web directories is a necessary and proper way to get your site indexed. You’ll want to do the first submissions yourself. Do it slow and naturally, 10 to 20 sites a day. You won’t be seen as stuffing the search engines, something which will be picked up on by the search engines and get you penalized.
When should I outsource?
But after submitting to several search engines, you may feel that your time is better spent building additional websites. That’s the time to consider outsourcing this work to companies who do this professionally. Their editors do this all the time and will work directly with you based on what your are looking to accomplish. This can save you a great deal of time in the greater scheme of things. Here are some links to companies who do this professionally:
http://www.seoshop.com/directory_shop/
http://www.submit2please.com/index.htm
http://www.unlimitedtraffic.net/webdirectorysubmission.html
Website directory submissions is a good way to get your site noticed. But it isn’t the only way. Once you have your site in about 300 to 500 directories, start concentrating on reciprocal and one way links. All in all it is a combined effort.