Building A Link Directory

[Mroberts]

Hi Everybody,

I have launched a new website and would like to create a link directory. Most of the link directories I have seen have an area where people can submit their site. How do I create an area like this on my site? Since this is a new website limited on cash and trying to do as much SEO as possible on my own. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mroberts

[piatkow]

The quick and dirty solution is simply to put in an email form and build the page manually.
How you automate depends on how your site is built.

[cnvi]

The cheap and easy way is an email form that posts to your inbox.

There is software and application services avalable on the web that provide the software and customizable form(s) for you.

Make sure if you do use software to manage a link directory that it's editor based.

[Rosalind]

Building it manually is fine if you want to have one page with up to 30 or 40 urls. Beyond that there are directory scripts you can buy, some of which are free or very cheap. But be aware that if you use a common script or you use phrases such as "submit your website" or "add a link" and so on, you will attract a lot of spammy, off-topic submissions. Filtering that out is annoying, and will drain your time unless you're comfortable writing or installing the code to mitigate it.

[cnvi]

But be aware that if you use a common script or you use phrases such as "submit your website" or "add a link" and so on, you will attract a lot of spammy, off-topic submissions.

You will get off topic link requests regardless of what kind of software you use. Its the nature of the web (similar to email spam).

Professional link builders know how to find sites that link with relavant sites because they search "submit your link + keyword".

Also be advised there is link management software available that provides a blacklist feature which will auto deny link requests that include specific keywords.

[Mroberts]

Thank you for the helpful responses so far. How did you guys learn so much about SEO? It is really a lot of information to keep track of. I have two main kewords in my url address and I am hoping that this will get me to the first page listings faster. Please feel free to check the site out and let me know if you have any suggestions.

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[edited by: engine at 5:27 pm (utc) on Oct. 9, 2009]
[edit reason] See WebmasterWorld TOS [/edit]