A web directory, in general, is a categorized listing of websites. It is different from a search engine is such a way that it is not meant to be searched by using key words or phrases but by exploring different subjects or classifications. Moreover, while entries in search engine databases are collected by automated programs, web directory indices are put together by human beings. Those who do not fully understand this difference clearly enough come across web directories in hopes to find web pages with specific content end up disappointed. However, web directories are actually very important tools for both businesses or website owners and their end users.

Businesses or website owners choose to be listed in web directories to increase the visibility of their website. For websites that aim to promote certain products on the internet, the advantage of this visibility increase is obvious. If more internet users come across their website, there is a big possibility that these businesses will increase their sales. For other types of websites whose purpose is not to generate sales, web directories give them the benefit of increasing their website’s traffic which they could therefore use as leverage for soliciting advertisers to favor their site.

Website owners can be listed in web directory in two ways. Some submit their entries to web directories whose human editors are then responsible for categorizing them. Although there are some web directories that do not ask for compensation for their listings, the more competent ones charge website owners for each entry submission. The reason for this is logical. Web directory owners need to pay salaries and wages to their competent editors in order to maintain their operations. This type of web directories is considered to be more trustworthy because their indices are built by professional staff. The other way of getting listed is more accidental than purposive for this entails just waiting for the editors of web directories to come across your website and including it in their index.

On the other side of the token, web directories are also useful to the end users who are familiar with its function. If one has a general topic in mind, the user explores this category and goes through its sub-categories until the subject is deduced to a specific topic. For example, one who wishes to go on a summer vacation may simply go to “travel,” then to “beaches and resorts,” then to “accommodations”. The web directory will then display various websites for travel agencies or hotel accommodations directly. Though this, the user can compare the content of different websites available in the listing and choose the one that is of most interest.

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Getting listed in web directories is one of the most effective endeavors website owners pursue as they aim to market their website. Web directories give listed websites the advantage of increased visibility on the internet. They help website owners direct the inflow of potential customers. For websites that aim to sell products and services, being listed in directories increases the number of site visitors and therefore increases the likelihood of selling. For non-retailing websites, the upsurge of traffic brought about by web directory listings also increases search engine rankings pages and websites’ income generated by attracting advertisers. The value of web directories cannot be denied as website owners can benefit from them in more than one effective way. If you are a website owner who is looking into getting listed, it is important for you to be familiar with the types of directories and listings available. Getting yourself listed involves either time or money. Sometimes it involves both. Therefore, it is important for you to know exactly what your website needs in order to minimize opportunity costs.

There are two types of web directories. These include the general and the human edited directories. General directories often make use of broad categories and are generally restricted to them. Human edited directories, on the other hand utilize more specific categories that link to sub-category after sub-category until one is taken to the most specific point. As its name implies, human edited directories have indices built by professional staff and are therefore more trustworthy in terms of information. This, however, also means that being listed by them will cost more than general directories. Internet users prefer human edited directories because they are more often easier to use and are very efficient in terms of directing them to the right information. However, this does not mean to say that general directories are ineffective tools for internet marketing. General directories still serve their purpose of increasing page rankings as they are often used as references by search engines.

Apart from the two types of directories, one must also be familiar with the types of listings available. There are generally six types but some other types have also emerged. The six general types include the following:

1. Free Submission – one must simply fill up a form and prove that the website exists
2. Reciprocal Link – the website to be listed must include a link to the directory
3. Paid Submissions – webmasters must pay and submit necessary documents to be listed in more specific and organized classifications
4. No Follow – listings designed such a way that the entries cannot be tracked by search engines
5. Featured Link – an entry will remain as one of the top results under the category in which it is listed
6. Featured Homepage Link – the website will be given a position in the web directory home page

Nowadays there are Bid for Position listings wherein websites are listed according to the amount they offer the web directories to be listed.

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Many speculate that getting indexed in web directories is a defunct internet marketing strategy. They say that the number of internet users who prefer web directories have declined exponentially. This is due to the rapid development of search engines. For this reason, internet marketers now aim for their websites to be listed in search engines. True enough, it will be very difficult for internet users to gain access to your website if it is not visible through any of the search queries. However, internet marketers must understand that web directories are actually tools through which they can efficiently and effectively get their website indexed by search engines. Searched engines have databases built by automated machinery which are normally called “crawlers” or “spiders.” These spiders are designed to search for web pages, list keywords, and automatically place them in their search engine’s database. Because of the organized listings that web directories provide, spiders are lured into getting their information from them. For this reason alone, internet marketers should realize that web directories have not become defunct in their own sense. They simply have had a change in function.

As soon as your website is complete with design, programming, and content, you are ready to launch. However, it is not anymore enough to tell the people you know about it and wait for more people to come. It is important to come up with a plan to attract traffic and at the top of this list should be for you to get your website indexed. Because many internet users now prefer search engines, take getting indexed by them as your goal. These search engines accept manual submission through forms available in their website. However, one thing you must know is that it will be easier for you to attract spiders through other means.

Getting your website indexed in web directories first is an advantage. For one thing, spiders will be able to track you more quickly. Another reason why it is good for you to get indexed by web directories first is because spiders also recognize the web directory’s categorization. This will be beneficial when the spiders have already listed you in their index. Linking to an already indexed site will also help. For this, make sure that you link to a related site and preferably one of the more popular ones. This will help you get indexed very quickly.  Also, if you have a blog, link your site to it and try to get your friends to link to it as well. Remember, the more sites are linked to your website, the more entries you will have in search engine databases.

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Web directories benefit both internet users and website owners. Through web directories, internet users have the advantage of searching for websites of a general matter in a categorized listing. This makes searches easier than using search engines which display search results of specific web pages through key words or phrases. Moreover, if a user has a general subject in mind and would like a listing of different websites under that, web directories prove to be very advantageous. Because there are over eighty million registered websites currently available in the World Wide Web today, it is helpful to have professionally categorized listings. Through this, users can compare various websites under the same general categories and find those that produce the most value to them.

For the same reason that there are too many websites in the World Wide Web, website owners have even more to gain from web directories than the general internet users. Because they have to compete with millions and millions of other websites for internet visibility, getting their websites included in web directories proves to be a very useful promotional tool. Since their websites will be classified in specific categories, internet users whose purpose is really to search for content in that specific category are the ones that are driven to the websites. In other words, promoting a website through web directories directly advertise to chosen target markets.

Getting listed in web directories is essential whether the website owner aims to produce more sales or simple increase traffic. Whether a sales generating website is engaged in

e-retail or product promotions, web directories serve to attract potential customers. These potential customers are, more often than not, already intent in buying products of the same classification and are merely comparing the different types that are available in the market.

Although it is still up to the website owner or the content of the website to fully generate the sales, web directories increase the probability that potential buyers actually know that their products are available. It definitely beats increasing traffic with random internet users who have no real interest in the product. Furthermore, there are types of web directories that cater to businesses in general. These business directories not only list the available websites under specific industries but also provide essential information such as business addresses and contact information. Even websites whose purpose of existence is not to generate sales benefit from web directories. Web directories increase the website traffic which serves as a basis for advertising rates. The more internet users a website attracts, the more advertisers are willing to pay for a spot of promotional material.

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Many believe that web directories have grown to become outdated because of the emergence of search engines. Webmasters have become skeptical about the role of web directories. It is true that some web directories have chosen to shut down even if they were highly accepted in their own time. Some of these include Lycos and Zeal. Lycos began its operations in 1995 when they started listing the top 5% of website that exited in the World Wide Web. Although their concept was highly accepted, they ceased to operate in 2000 in pursuit of better web opportunities.

The same is true with Zeal who started its operations in 1999. Their differentiation strategy was that their indices were built by volunteer editors. After one year in business, LookSmart struck an acquisition deal with its developers. In 2006, they were forced to shut down. However, these are but some of the web directories that ever existed. Website owners need not be skeptical of the importance of web directories because these types of listings still prove their purpose. Website owners must simply find the right web directories in which they may choose to be listed.

Finding the most popular directories on the web can save a lot of time, money, and effort. The top five have been compiled below for the benefit of website owners who seek to increase their website’s visibility on the ever growing World Wide Web. These directories have proven their worth not just by their tenure but also by their popularity with internet users.

1. Yahoo! Directory [http://dir.yahoo.com] – The most popular searchable listing of websites whose general categories include Arts & Humanities, Business & Economy, Computers & Internet, Education, Entertainment, Government, Health, News & Media, Recreation & Sports, Reference, Regional, Science, Social Science, and Society & Culture.
2. Open Project Directory [http://www.dmoz.org] – One of the largest searchable listings whose database is built by volunteer editors around the world. Its general categories include Arts, Business, Computers, Games, Health, Home, Kids & Teens, News, Recreation, Reference, Regional, Science, Shopping, Society, and Sports.
3. Google Directory [http://directory.google.com] – A widely-renowned website that combines the database of the Open Project Directory with their search engine technology. Moreover, the contents of which are superior for they make use of professional editors.
4. Environment Web Directory [http://www.webdirectory.com] – This site claims to be the largest environmental free directory in the world. Its general categories include Agriculture, Animals, Arts, Business, Databases, Design, Disasters, Education, Employment, Energy, Forestry, General Environmental Interest, Government, Health, Land Conservation, News & Events, Parks & Recreation, Pollution, Products & Services, Publications, Recycling, Science, Social Science, Sustainable Development, Transportation, Usenet Newsgroups, Vegetarianism, Water Resources, Weather, and Wildlife.
5. Directory Dump Web Directory [http://directorydump.com] – One of the largest human edited directories whose general categories include Arts & Entertainment, Business & Industry, Computers, Daily Lifestyle, Health & Fitness, Internet, Kids & Teens, Shopping, Society & Culture, and Sports.

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