Building a new directory

[cybermatrix]

I am building a new directory and I have heard of things like feeding the directory from open directory with automation.

Not sure I like the whole idea of complete automation due to duplication of text links and descriptions.

Can anyone provide some insight in feeding a new directory with listing?

[WA_Smith]

I have a directory in a fairly competitive field, many of my competitors took shortcuts that is why they are no longer my competitors.

(add on)
the time needed to visit all sites is normally alot even if [u]they[/u] are paying [a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/technology/pigeonrank.html"]piegons.[/a]
(/add on)

[treeline]

The tough opening gambit is having enough links in your directory to make visitors want to return. You can use a script to fill your categories with DMOZ or other links, but then visitors won't see anything new or interesting, so are still unlikely to feel a need to bookmark or revisit.

To stand out enough to develop a following you'll need to collect links that distinguish your directory. If the best you can do is mimic the Google directory, there's not much point other than perhaps the short-term. With original links, content, perhaps services then there's potential and using DMOZ links to keep categories (already including original links) from looking too bare can then make sense.