beth_lk
Insider
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
# Posts: 1085
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Posted: 12/09/2007 10:26 pm
I have been reading for a few weeks now on the subject of directories and still can't seem to find a specific answer to my question.
"what makes a directory a good directory?"
I see lots of posts about most directories are useless/worthless and so on, but what determines a good one from a useless one?
and please don't say PR lol 
I guess to be even more specific what does Google and other SE use to "mark" a directory as good ?
Much Appreciated,
Beth 
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Hampstead
Joined: Feb 20, 2001
# Posts: 1996
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Posted: 12/09/2007 11:57 pm
To be considered a good directory, one or more of the following criteria must be met.
1, The directory sends useful visitors to your site.
2, The directory is edited by humans and has a strict entry criteria. Inclusion in one of these directories lends credibility to your site and can improve ranking.
3, The directory passes PR via links. This should not be the only reason for submitting to a directory and must be handled with care.
Generally, I submit to DMOZ, Yahoo!, Joe Ant and Business.com.
I will also find 5-10 relevant directories or local sites to submit to. Strictly on topic and no greyed out PR bar.
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g1smd
Moderator
Joined: Jul 28, 2002
# Posts: 10183
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Posted: 12/10/2007 06:47 am
You'll know one when you see one.
There are only a few that are truly worth it.
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Quadrille
Joined: Nov 15, 2000
# Posts: 1064
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Posted: 12/10/2007 07:22 am
Look at the category - would you like your site to share it?
Is the directory edited? We all want OUR entry untouched - but a lack of editing makes a poor directory, and if paid for, one that will not survive.
Does the directory ask for reciprocal links? If it does, then walk away ... it's a risk too far, as you may be enrolling in a link farm.
Is it local, or topical; do they know your area or your niche?
These questions and more ... look for Quality!
there are 100,000 cr*p directories, and very few Quality.
It is worth digging deep; it's your site, you want only the best.
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3595
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Posted: 12/10/2007 09:02 am
I tend to look for the old standbys mentioned above - though I feel Business.com is very focused and doesn't fit everyone's niche/topic.
This list of directories is my go-to source. There are many NOT worth looking into, but the good ones are there. The columns are sortable, though the PR column is showing pretty much all zeros (result of the last Google tweaks no doubt). Still, that's a misleading column as the PR is for the main page of the directory - which is NOT where your link will be.
I like the saturation data as it shows the relative size of the directory. Big number, more depth. Makes it easy to pick out more niche-focused directories from the list.
They also allow you to see if the sign up is free or requires payment or something else (e-mail, etc.)
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beth_lk
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Joined: Jun 23, 2004
# Posts: 1085
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Posted: 12/10/2007 10:52 am
hmmmmmmm. thinking here ( smell the smoke lol ).
I have given serious thought to opening a directory specifically based for women - women's health, women's jobs etc etc. I did bounce the idea around with someone here whose opinion I greatly respect and they thought it was a worth while idea.
Now to get around all the hurdles of what would make my directory and GOOD directory -and not just a link farm.
Not sure I have enough solid knowledge to do this.....
still thinking....
Thanks for all your input - it is greatly appreciated
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3595
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Posted: 12/10/2007 11:15 am
Manual reviews of all submitted links will go a LONG way to keeping the joint clean and spam free. Loads of work, but it's an effective path.
Wonder if there's good software out there to manage the particulars? Got to be. Can't recall right now, but I think JackHammer had a facility for this...
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g1smd
Moderator
Joined: Jul 28, 2002
# Posts: 10183
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Posted: 12/10/2007 01:24 pm
It needs some automated means to block the submission of spam, otherwise you'll disappear under junk very rapidly.
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Quadrille
Joined: Nov 15, 2000
# Posts: 1064
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Posted: 12/10/2007 03:56 pm
You can get directory software freeware - or much better stuff for $10-$20
But if you are going for a tight niche with high quality sites only, you may find that html - with email submissions - is the way forward.
I have two directories, where my aim for TOTAL numbers will only be 2-3000; I had both on proprietary software,but found I got loads of spam - and very few serious entrants.
Plus it was hard to SEO a sloppy CMS (and most directory software is pretty sloppy stuff, even if you pay plenty).
I also set up a special email address so I can monitor what occors, and set up filters for standard spam (5 minutes work, catches most!).
Now I get a small but regular trickle of serious entrants, and very little spam (and that's usually idiots asking for a 'link exchange - Duh!).
With the damage that spammers have done to the directory business, small niche / local directories are the way forward, I believe. And they are far friendlier places. AND you can keep them tidy with a monthly xenu check.
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beth_lk
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Joined: Jun 23, 2004
# Posts: 1085
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Posted: 12/10/2007 10:13 pm
I agree that it needs to be manual - at least the submission end.
I was thinking along the path of Quad - html with email submissions.
I also want to find a dead link checker - as I don't want to check the links myself by "hand" but I also don't want dead links in the directory - any ideas for software that will do this for me?
You each have given me a lot to chew on and I greatly appreciated it - Thanks ! - Beth
Other then Demoz - which is like the God of Directories can anyone post or PM me some examples of specific niche type directories that you consider of worth for me to take a peek at please ?
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3595
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Posted: 12/11/2007 01:17 pm
...and so here ya go - great link checking tool:
Xenu Link Sleuth
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beth_lk
Insider
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
# Posts: 1085
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Posted: 12/11/2007 05:42 pm
Thanks SG
I have spent lots of time looking at good directories and it seems to me that they only list web sites with good PR - or is it the other way around - since the sites are listed in a good directory they have ( in part reason ) good PR ?
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Quadrille
Joined: Nov 15, 2000
# Posts: 1064
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Posted: 12/11/2007 09:26 pm
Not quite a coincidence, but PR should never be a defining criterion.
Trouble is, unless you use nofollow, it is one fairly sure way to reduce your risk of turning the directory into a bad neighborhood.
But 'any' PR should be enough. But quality sites, unless they are very new, usually do have PR!
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Hampstead
Joined: Feb 20, 2001
# Posts: 1996
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Posted: 12/12/2007 12:49 am
Even though PR is not always passed, there may still be a benefit through theming and association.
A while ago when Googling my name, I found a website in the SERPs that although belonging to me, had no mention of my name and was only used for testing. A little research showed me that it was associated by finding the URL (which isn't spiderable) in this forum in my profile thus proving that text near the link is important.
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3595
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Posted: 12/12/2007 03:47 am
...or that a spider has a crush on you...
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beth_lk
Insider
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
# Posts: 1085
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Posted: 12/12/2007 09:33 pm
Thanks everyone
One last question ( I hope ! )
so when I review the sites before I post them do they:
a. have to have a PR
b. be set up with good seo ( and yes I have seen as I am sure you have sites with decent PR but not so good seo )
c. anything else ( other then good content ) that I need to consider when reviewing sites?
d. I tell sites I post in the web directory, NOT to link back to the web directory - correct? as that would make my site a link farm..... yes - no ?
Ok that is more then 1 question - sorry
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Hampstead
Joined: Feb 20, 2001
# Posts: 1996
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Posted: 12/13/2007 12:26 am
Check out what the ODP have to say about suitability.
dmoz.org/add.html
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Quadrille
Joined: Nov 15, 2000
# Posts: 1064
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Posted: 12/13/2007 02:12 am
a. don't have to - it serves only as one 'fairly useful' security check
b. shouldn't be a spammer. It may be successful now, but could be bad news later
c. Your directory; you make the rules, and publish them. The thing to do is view each site as you imagine a directory user would.
d. Personally, I wouldn't mention it either way.
And finally, just because a site is 'ok' now, doesn't mean it always will be. Xenu is your friend - but no substitute for an occasional re-review.
Good Luck.
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beth_lk
Insider
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
# Posts: 1085
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Posted: 12/13/2007 01:05 pm
Thank you ALL so very much ! I was pretty scared to venture into this area of web sites - being as it does not take much for it to go "bad".
However I do really enjoy reviewing web sites, especially of interest to women - hence the idea.
Now I feel like I have the correct info and knowledge to go ahead with this project ------ coming to you soon
MUCH Appreciated !
Beth
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Hampstead
Joined: Feb 20, 2001
# Posts: 1996
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Posted: 12/13/2007 02:10 pm
Good luck
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