Filling Directories

Build it and they will come….yeah right

[ukgimp]

I have more than one directory on a few different themes, which all pass PR and cost zip to submit to. So why are so few people actually adding their sites. Well I suppose that is due to the placement of the DIR’s. I have added decent “add url” text but that does not seem to have done the trick.

How do you go about filling your directories and spreading the word?

Cheers

[Equiano]

I also have a directory and have done pretty much what you've done and to be honest I am overwhelmed with submissions and have a large backlog of sites to add.

Things I think that may affect User reluctance to submit are

The subject area you directory focuses on. I work in a area that has very poor representation on the mainstream Engines \ Directores.

The information you require users to give you in accepting submissions ( the less the better IMO)

Getting Reviewed by Search Engine Info websites. I got added to a few Search Engine / Directory review sites and find a lot of webmasters go to these places for information on promoting there websites

The time the site has been up. It wasn't like this in the early days, it took a while for the submissions to build up.

p.s. I also had to manually fill a few categories to get things running. I opted for manual filling to ensure the quality of the links (e.g. started off and generally now do not accept freehosted sites)

[sem4u]

Why not put the URL of the site in your profile? :)

[ukgimp]

>>Why not put the URL of the site in your profile?

Anonymity :)

But giving it some thought on one of them :)

[treeline]

You need to create some fairly full, convincing categories. There's no sense bothering with a directory that's claims it's the next big thing and has a total of 37 sites listed. Look prosperous to be prosperous.

Participate (not so anonymously) in e-mail discussion groups and forums for the target industry. Curious people will wander by.

Offer members of a trade association "free listings" even if they're always free.

You have to get the word out somehow, and have enough substance that people want to be associated with the site.

There are programs for sale that will copy select categories from DMOZ into your directory software if you want to go that route.