I've seen yahoo accept sites through Biz Ex, that are thrown into categories with hundreds of other similar sites. In the textbook category I wished to be included into there was only one other site like mine.

Just something I noticed that seemed awfully strange, and ticked me off after wasting $200 of my money. I'm a college student and barely make that much a month.... argh...

Anything like this happen to anyone else?
Has anyone else on here been rejected by Biz Express? I've never heard of anyone that has been.

Thanks..
-Dave

Yahoo also has a travel site and I bet most if not all of the sites that I would be placed amoung are partners or big donors Yahoo. If anyone wants to comment on this subject, please read my other thread then try to explain this situation.

I have given up, you must know someone or be a partner to get anywhere in Yahoo that counts. I am not talking about T-shirt designers and sites like this but sites which would directly compete w/ Yahoo.

I am glad the DMOZ gives the little guy a chance.

[This message has been edited by Sunny (edited 10-28-2000).]

Thanks for the responses to my previous attempts to get in Yahoo. I have taken everyones advice and added "Contact Information" and some new and I feel "unique" content. Please let me know what you think.

The URL is http://www.abccruise.com

Once you hit this domain, you will be redirected to a Java Enabled or Java Disabled Version of the site depending on how your browser is set up. This is not any kind of tricky redirect, it is just needed because of the heavy use of Java on the site.

My unique content consists of "Virtual Destinations" for some info about some places to travel. (check it out) "Destination Map", so you know where locations are in the world. "Adventure Pages" which enables customers to enjoy the benefit of sharing their vacation expierences with family and friends for free.

This content was solely thought up by me and I apoligize if you find it elsewhere.(Although I have not seen it)

I have had cruise lines give me a free cruise for adding their ship and positive feedback from customers and other directories such as DMOZ, About.com and Looksmart. I hope you feel the same.

[This message has been edited by natonaga (edited 11-10-2000).]

You have 30 days to appeal. Ask for them to consider putting you in http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Retailers/Virtual_Malls/ , it is the only catagory you qualify for since you offer no other service other then being a collection of online stores.

You have a really nice site, it is well thought out and offers a good service. However, I can see why they would not add it to the booksellers catagory, YOU don't sell any books YOURSELF. I really do think they will find the Virtual Malls catagory an acceptable suggestion.

Please read the offer that Yahoo made again. You did not pay for a listing, you paid for a review, which they did perform. Mine was free, I hope it is of some help to you.

I think the answer is to understand what Yahoo means by "unique content." If you don't have it, add it.

If you do have it, perhaps the site is not designed in such a way that the normal visitor would find it. We have redesigned sites that previously had been turned down by Yahoo, and which were accepted right away via Business Express after redesign, so I know it can be done. I suspect that a lot of the issue -- if you do in fact have content -- is in the marketing and presentation of the information. I would suggest concentrating there.

I have challenged anyone to read my last thread and tell me why I can not get in and "no one" has responded because everyone knows I am right.

Yahoo, don't take my money if there is no way I will get in "NO MATTER WHAT". Let us get honest in this forum and accept this fact. Quit giving people false hope.

I am not trying to be rude.(I am sorry if you took it that way.) As a matter of fact, I thought I was on my guard because I saw what happen to Ihelpyou.

I do apoligize, you did offer some great free information. However, if you read my latest post (all the way through), I thought I had some new issues to be address.

After the initial response, "No One offered any help." Sorry for the misunderstanding, I hope it is clear what I meant now.

And Janet, I think your great and I admire you for what you do to help others. I also strive to help others as well.

However, when I believe something to be true such as telling people they are waisting their money trying to get into any of the Yahoo categories which count, I feel I should be able to say it.

You are not "no one" and I sincerely apoligize.

It is true that some sites will never will get in, but all of those are resellers, doorways and the like. There is nothing much that can be done to help them. There is also no reason too, adding duplicate sites degrades the directory.

Janet, I am sure that I am just being paranoid but is this an answer to any of my questions. If it is then are you saying that I am a doorway or reseller? (just asking)

Thanks

"This is a FREE service provided to all students.

The only thing we ask is that when you're ready to buy your books, click on the link we provide you, so we can help keep
this site running smoothly."

This is a misleading statement. Of course the service is free to students; why wouldn't it be?

However, as I said, your site looks very nice. Perhaps if you added some genuinely-free content articles and removed all the affilate links from the free stuff section you might have better luck with an appeal.

acc0rd - had the book site.

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by natonaga (edited 10-30-2000).]

[This message has been edited by natonaga (edited 10-30-2000).]

Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/ Books/Book_Search_Services/Price_Comparisons/

natonaga
Part of your problem with getting a response here might be that there were two threads open on it and it wasn't clear (to me at least) which one I was supposed to respond in so I'm opting for this one.

I looked around your site and it left me a bit confused. At first I went to the "ships" section which took me offsite to the cruise line's page. This may have been what the yahoo reviewer did and I could see why they'd dismiss your site as an affiliate.

I tried again and went to weekly specials and got some info that made it look like you're actually selling the trips but no info on how to order or contact you for more info.

And this is off the topic of unique content but the special effects applets were more distracting than appealing and made for longer download times.

Hope this helps give you some ideas on why Yahoo might have rejected the site. I know first hand that a navigation system that we design and use all the time seems perfectly fine and yet visitors to the site can't figure it out and that me be part of the problem here. I think you'll find in the end that competing against a Yahoo property has NO effect on whether or not you get listed.

The cruise ships section "unlike other similiar sites with cruise lines home page links" takes you to the ship section of each cruise lines. We know from customers that this is a very very useful section and has had a lot of praise.

With the internet, we are now able to save cost and be more efficient by placing information usually found in brochures, online for a more pleasurable expierence for our customers. People can actually get the latest, updated information directly from the horses mouth. They can see deck plans, ships, sailing and other very useful information the site was designed for.

Most major cruise lines rely on travel agencies anyway for the majority of their bookings. As you may have noticed, on the big players have links.

Customer satisfaction is our number one priority and we have had proof that having these "unique links" to the ships section has been a benefit and therefor will not be changed. Especially for trying to get into Yahoo (which I am sceptical about anyway). But thank you for your comment.

I have however placed a flashing quick quote link on the weekly specials section. Do you think this will work?

About the Java, thanks but this unique approach has been recieved very well by clients, cruise lines, about.com and others. It is a download hog but it is something different and alot more pleasurable to look at. It is a trade off I feel is for the best.

The customer is always right and because I want to provide what I feel is best for customer satisfaction, I may not get into Yahoo.

(Too bad, I thought that was what Yahoo was about, they are a great search engine but they may not always be right.)

Once again, Thank you so much for your suggestions.

[This message has been edited by natonaga (edited 10-30-2000).]

I suppose what I'm looking for on the specials page is more of a "Buy This" link. If you could set up a link next to each line that filled in the relevant fields in the quote page that would probably do it.