how do you get your directory out there?

[kmobley]

I just put up a directory but I don't know how to get it out to the public. Can anyone help with ideas. I don't want to spam forums.
Thanks,
Kristine

[Event_King]

Target it to people who are looking for what your selling.

Personally, if you are asking that sort of question of how to promote it, perhaps you may not have the essential knowledge required to run a business.

This is the problem with the web, evryone wants to be a big businessman type - few manage it. Most will fail, and then blame everyone but themselves for the failure. So many businesses go down - even the established with cashflow of millions. All it takes is one bad decision cash wise, and you could be stuffed.

Just my 2 pence worth. Listen good luck anyway okay.....

[ska_demon]

Your directory needs to be populated with original, useful information. These days it is no good ripping off a DMOZ feed or suchlike. You must provide an original source of information. Personally, when I started my directory I spent ages looking for quality sites to include and then wrote my own descriptions for that site. It takes time to populate but if you have a useful resource the SE's will recognise that and reward you with the rankings you deserve. PPC is a good way to both populate your directory and get visitors that will need the info you are offering. I have some affiliate stuff included on the directory that pays for the PPC.

Ska

[Event_King]

I think he wants to know how to promote it. This is difficult as other members will want to know his niche, and view it etc, which he'll be reluctant to do.

He won't get the advice he's seeking here. Why don't you talk to a proper professional business advisor? There is a lot of free advice out there on starting a business.

Or is this a get rich quick thing............

[PatrickDeese]

One of the best ways to generate interest in a directory is to generate traffic for the sites that you have listed in it.

You might want to consider doing a limited and very targeted PPC campaign to send traffic into sections of your directory targeted to the keywords you bid on.

Also, try bidding on terms like "widget links" or similar in the hopes that people looking for a good link will be interested in purchasing a directory link (assuming that there's a submission fee).

[dataguy]

I've been running AdWords to a page that lists a few directories that take free submissions. If you would like to be on that list (for free) sticky me and let me know.

[alphacooler]

What about places to list your directory such as ISEDB?

Does anyone know of any other sites such as this one?

[mack]

There are hundreds of specialised sites that list se's and directories. In this case Google is your friend. Try making up a few search terms to locate them...

[Search engine list]
[List of search engines]

etc.

Mack.

[Event_King]

Directory lists will NOT get anyone anywhere. They are full of start-up directories desperate for entries, where freebie hunters go after the free links, and never pay.

The lists might be okay for getting your site 'out there', and you may get a couple of good PR from it. But that's about it. If your seeking a major result from free links - forget it, unless you have 10'000 of them. I only get about 900 visitors a month from free links, and that's with 600 links out there at present.

But you have to know that actual enquiries for even a good directory can be 0 for years and years. People expect you to be big and established before they will buy. I don't believe that giving value works anymore. You need to be unique. And then you need proper advertising - not this free link crap... It just doesn't work.

Maybe it works for adsense, but I'm even thinking now that's a bunch of bs too. As time goes on, you learn what works and who really knows what they are on about. There's no substitute for experience.

[petra]

The secret to my directory's success is that it is
country-specific and it is on the same site that has a very popular immigration forum. So naturally, people want to list their sites on my directory because they know that they will have exposure to thousands of visitors daily who are coming to my site because they are looking for resources that will fascilitate their move to the UK.

Also...Get a good directory software that is SE friendly and do some PPC with google to launch it.

Good Luck!