Getting Business listed in Search Engines

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Getting Business listed in Search Engines

Need opinions on most cost effective way to list a business

stevenb

5:25 pm on Jun 7, 2003 (gmt 0)

I am starting a business, bingo related, that I want to get indexed as fast as possible.
Need some cost effective ideas, short term and long term.
Should I pay for inclusions in directories, and which ones?
or should I pay for inclusion in search engines?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Stevenb

rfgdxm1

6:41 pm on Jun 7, 2003 (gmt 0)

Submit to the ODP for free (don't hold your breath waiting to be listed), and pay Yahoo $299 a year if you think that is worth it.

cornwall

7:22 pm on Jun 7, 2003 (gmt 0)

As with so many things in life, it depends on your time/cost factors.

If you have plenty of time submit to DMOZ, get a couple of decent back links, wait 6 months to a year and you will be well indexed across the web in the fulness of time (provided your optimisation was properly done to start with).

If you are looking for instant results, then work out your budget, get out the credit card and get cracking with it today

stevenb

7:55 pm on Jun 7, 2003 (gmt 0)

Thank you for your replies.
I have no problem spending money as I realize in any business their is a cost to every product. If I spend $20 to have a return of $21 or $200 to make $300 I can live with that. I am looking at long range and cost effect specifically what directories are more beneficial long range.
Also which are most cost effective PPC programs.

steveb

9:41 pm on Jun 7, 2003 (gmt 0)

Issues about inclusion in search engines belong in other forums, but the main directories for the topic you mention (which a moderator probably will delete) are ODP/DMOZ, Yahoo, Go Guides and Joeant. The first is free, but your site is judged on its quality and originality. The second is $300. the last two are under $50. The first two can be very useful. The third is mildly useful. The fourth is better than not doing it, but mostly something where you are hoping for good things to happen in the future with it.

The area you are interested in does have some self-proclaimed directory type sites (translation, free for all link farms), most of which are not very useful, but one referal is worth more than zero.

Cossack

1:46 pm on Jun 8, 2003 (gmt 0)

Do not forget Zeal and/or LookSmart. Think - do you already have any free content, like guides, advices, articles about your business? If yes, go to Zeal. If no, - create some they will bring Zeal to you and really help with all search engines.

If you can't or have no time - just pay to LookSmart, Overture, Ask and others ;).

hbird64

4:10 pm on Jun 8, 2003 (gmt 0)

'the last two are under $50'

GoGuides.org and JoeAnt.com are for free when you become an editor.

cornwall

6:14 pm on Jun 8, 2003 (gmt 0)

>>GoGuides.org and JoeAnt.com are for free when you become an editor.<<

As I say "As with so many things in life, it depends on your time/cost factors."

With directories you can pay the $50 or you can do it yourself for free by giving up time as an editor.

The same sort of argument applies to Search Engines, you can pay for immediate inclusion, or you can optimise your site and wait for it to be picked up.

There are not really short cuts, you do a cost benefit analysis and makes your choice

steveb

7:14 pm on Jun 8, 2003 (gmt 0)

Good catch cossack. Don't know how I forgot Zeal. More important than Yahoo, especially cost-per-benefit.

gnikiv

2:24 am on Jun 9, 2003 (gmt 0)

That pretty much covers how I submit too.

ODP (and wait)

I'm too cheap for Yahoo, so I wait for Google to pick me up. I usually set up an Adwords program for a new site until it is in the main listings.

Zeal (when applicable. I refuse to pay LS)

Joeant

GoGuides.Org
(I don't like to edit so it's worth the $40 clams to get the site listed in a day or two so the engines pick it up. I usually pay both JA and GoGuides, but if I have to choose between the two I go with Goguides since their directory is updated immediately as compared to once a week at JA.)

After that is submitting to all the niche directories I can find.

mrdch

10:41 pm on Jun 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

Another directory to consider is Gimpsy - but only if the site is interactive. Submission is free.

stevenb

10:49 pm on Jun 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

Any ideas and comments on what is the scope of an interactive website?

mrdch

12:02 am on Jun 11, 2003 (gmt 0)

The online help at Gimpsy answers it at great length. In general, it's a site where you can accomplish something ONLINE - not just get information. In this case, I am assuming that the bingo game takes place online. If so - it will certainly qualify.