How to get traffic from directories
As an operator of a web directory, I often field the question, Can I expect traffic from your web directory?
My answer is always, it depends.
Users Do Not Browse By Category, They Search Web Directories
And as such, when you submit, it would do you well to understand that web directories do not index your pages. We can only show results based on the keywords you used in your submission title, description and keywords field.
A typical submission to the V7N Directory looks like this:
Title: Internet Marketing Blog
Description: Online marketing and SEO blog.
Keywords: Internet Marketing Blog
And you wonder why you do not get referrals?
Try this:
Title: Internet Marketing Blog
Description: Online marketing and SEO blog. Topics include link building, copywriting, keyword discovery, branding, pay per click and usability.
Keywords: Internet Marketing Blog, search engine optimization, SEO, SEM, Pay Per Click, PPC, keyword, keywords, keyword research, link building, advertising, promotion, dmoz, Google, Blogs, Blogging
I know of some sites that get 50+ referrals per month from V7N Directory, with just one listing each. It depends almost entirely on two things - the keywords you use, and the topic of your site. If you site deals with porn, it’ll get referrals. If it deals with the mating habits of domesticated koala bears, I doubt keywords will help.
May 22nd, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Thanks for the tip. But I thought that submitting website to the directory is to increase the Search Rank or PageRank. I never get much referrals from any directory.
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:19 pm
I think the primary purpose of most submitters is the SE ranking boost, but why not also try for some traffic directly from the directory?
May 23rd, 2007 at 2:27 am
John,
excellent post. Too often focused keywords are an after thought.
May 26th, 2007 at 1:54 am
[...] very low or no traffic at all but they are a good start for new sites in obtaining links. Don’t discount directories. __________________ Permanent Contextual Links! - V7N Web Directory Questions? Call V7 toll [...]
May 26th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I agree, directories used to be the main focus of the internet, but sadly they are no longer used to find sites. The only reason I have every submitted to one is for the link.
July 17th, 2007 at 10:13 am
[...] (6) Costly Mistake #6 - Not writing a powerful description of your website. Although directories frown on hyped up descriptions, to get people to click on your link,you should take the trouble to write something that motivates people to find out more about your website. John Scott provides a good example. [...]