ODP Category

OR which one?

[Reflect]

Hi,

I have a site, still on the whiteboard. I am starting my SEO thinking and feel ODP is a nice place to start.

I have looked through the different categories. This site can easily fit into more than several categories.

Question, how many categories can I submit my site for?

Even if I weed out the iffy ones I am still left with around 4 categories that are perfect matches.

If memory serves correct though I believe I can only submit to one.

Any help on this would be appreciated.

TIA,

Bri

[korkus2000]

here is a recent post about that.
[webmasterworld.com...]

I don't think it was ever truely resolved.

[bird]

It is highly recommended to submit to the ONE most appropriate category you can find in one of the topical branches. If your site is about a brick and mortar business, then you should also submit to the location category where the physical presence of the business is at home.

If you can't decide between four different topical categories, then you're probably making a very common mistake. You may be looking at which categories would be best for your site, which can easily leave you with several choices. If you turn around, and try to figure out which ODP category would profit the most from having your site listed in it, then you might get a more conclusive result. While you should have the benefit of your site in mind with most of your other marketing activities, looking at the potential benefit for the Directory in this situation will improve your chances of a quick and well described ODP listing significantly.

The general rule is, that double listings (except regionally) are supposed to be the exception. This doesn't mean that a site that offers very comprehensive information about two different topics can't possibly be listed with both of them. But if you're just about to launch your site, then that is unlikely to be the case.

[skibum]

If you want to go for more than a topical and regional listing, chances are it would be for deep links to internal sections of ths site that serve as informational resources.

One way to evaluate if a site should be submitted for a deep link is to imagine chopping off all of the site except for the section to be submitted for a deep link. Does it have enough content such that someone would find it useful in and of itself? If yes, then it might be a candidate.

Does it explicitly or implicitly try to sell the visitor something? No, then consider submitting.

Unless a company offers TOTALLY unrelated services/products, it cannot reasonably expect to get more than the regional/topical combo.

[Reflect]

Hi,

Thank you all for your well written answers, I appreciate your time.

This site will sell supply products, so boom the shopping sub categories will have a perfect fit. Now it will also have roughly, at this point, 50-75 pages of content (which will grow before the launch date) on one overall topic, which is in depth information on terminology, religous background, cerimonial type things, etc. I would have made this it's own domain but cash is a factor. So IMHO I was thinking another category for that index page in the sub directory, being a total of two listings.

Sorry to beat a dead horse, I just want to make sure I am clear in my own mind on this.

Yes I want the ecomm business but I also want the site to be a reference site for content on this subject.

I read over the other post, also did a search. That's what prompted my post. Of course since I optimize I spam (everyone has different views). However I want long term goals not a flash in the pan (which for all sites to this point, that has always been my main goal). Site theme, in-bound links, all the long term crafting is taken into effect. I just hated to throw that away with a stupid mistake.

Bria

[Quadrille]

Here's a couple to start you off:

1. Do read the submission guidelines as you submit; if you are thinking long term, those few minutes will be a good investment.

2. DON'T submit until your site is fully functional (or very nearly)

3. If you are thinking long term, spamming ODP would be *extremely* unwise. You may end up with no entries - or just one; which won't be where you'd like it, and, like the boy who cried wolf, your pleas will fall on very deaf ears.

4. Remember, ODP has a very long memory, and increasingly detailed records are held on *every* submission.

5. In ODP there's only one thing worse than a rogue editor - and that's a spammer. We laugh at rogue editors (wouldn't you?) We do not laugh at spammers.

Yes, you might 'get away with it', at least for a while - but it's a silly gamble. Good Luck!

[Reflect]

Gave a good read at the ODP forums. Man those editors sure take a beating some days.

Anyways, I understand fully now to pick a 90% on target directory. top and reg..

Thanks for your patience :).

Brian