Uptimebot

Problem: You have a site, good inbound links, well-optimized and frequently updated, but search engines don’t spider it well. This concerns usual, not optimized, sites too.
Solution: Good indexing depends on several factors – optimization, site structure, site features (frames, sitemaps, etc.), but one of important factors is directory listing – and we shall talk about it.
So, good indexing includes listing of your project in one, several or all of the following directories: Yahoo!, Open Directory Project (Dmoz), About.com, Snap, LookSmart and Go.com. This directories can become good source of visitors, but it is very hard to get listed in there. Taking a lot of time, the probability of that your site will be listed is very low. I hope that the following guide will help you with right and successful listing in directories, what may lead your site to better rankings in search engines.
It is extremely important to get listed in human-edited directories, because some search engines (including Google are using them to fill their SERPs and directories). For instance Google is definitely giving some privileges to sites listed in DMOZ (Open Directory Project) and Google Directory is a copy of DMOZ.
Last WebSnapShot.com statistics shows that the majority of search engines are actively using the ODP directory to improve their search results. Yahoo! is using it’s own Yahoo! directory.
How to submit your site in human-edited directories?
When you submit a site in Yahoo! ODP or even Infoseek Channels, an editor (human) visits your site to appreciate it and decide whether it is necessary to list your site or not.
Now you may have understood why standard optimization tricks won’t work out here.
Editor’s check
Editors of a directory will visit your site to check, whether your site is appropriate for category you have submitted it in, whether it is corresponding to title and description you gave, whether site content is actually interesting. Moreover, each directory has its own appraisal criteria.
Read a couple of tips that may help you to appreciate your own site before you start submitting it.
It is good to have your own domain. Some directories dislike sites hosted on free hosts through dash, sites hosted on subdomains, etc. (e.g. freehost.com/yoursite or yoursite.freehost.com)
Check your site security – FTP, access through web, etc.
The name of your site must correspond your domain name.
Leave your contacts. It facilitates contacting you in case, if editors will decide to give you a suggestion. Site with contacts is better anyway.
You may have copyright, disclaimer and information protection links (if necessary).
Make sure that there is no broken links, images that won’t load, Java Script, php, perl, asp, mysql and other error messages and malfunctions.
Filling in a registration form.
Each directory has it’s own rules, which you must follow in order to get listed. It is strongly recommended that you WILL read them. This will increase probability of getting listed and guarantee that your domain will not be banned forever.
Look through your registration data from editor’s point of view. Have you chosen the right category that corresponds the subject of your site? Check title and description to be consistent with subject of your site. Have you filled in a form completely?
If there is a comments menu – write why your site is better than others. Write why the directory will be better with your site.
Better listing tips.
The majority of directories list sites in alphabetic order, so it is better to start your site’s name with a letter, which is closer to the beginning of the alphabet. For instance if your site is about insects, then it is better to call it “An insect” than “Insect” – first variant will be listed higher.
Search results are ranked in relevancy order, so it is necessary to include one-two keywords in title and description of your site.
Second try.
The majority of directories will check and appraise your site during a certain period of time (it may be displayed during registration). As a rule, it takes not longer than a month, but, for instance, Yahoo! promises to do it during 3 months in case of free submission. In case if you haven’t received a reply or a note from editor and didn’t got listed – contact editors or staff of a directory for information.
Say that you respect their time and efforts, but that they have made a mistake. Explain that your site is very good for their directory (for instance you have a lot of visitors and you will put a link to this directory in case if you will get listed). Say that you gave re-requested listing by filling in another form and that you are waiting for reply.
Some extra tips.
Submit index page of your site – it is more likely that other will be rejected.
Don’t submit your site too many times – this will probably irritate editors and won’t help you to get listed.
Don’t try to get listed in a directory, which haven’t got an appropriate category for your site.
Submit your site to the directory it really corresponds, otherwise it can be rejected.
Don’t try to register an “under construction” site. Complete it and then submit it.

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The majority of things, which I have mentioned will take hours and hours of work, but good listing is worth it, because it helps your site to get better rankings in search engines, increases traffic and popularity of your site.

Filed under: Directories and Submitting