Importance of Directories

It is not as simple as it used to be for search engines to find you. While, you can still submit your site via the "Add URL" link on most search engines, it's any one's guess where that goes. Personally, I think it's a fake form that goes into some spam box.

Therefore, if you want those search engines to find you, then you need to have other websites link to you. While I'll get into the importance of links in another post, the first thing you need to do is get listed in all of the "major" directories.

Since directories are usually monitored by us humans, search engines tend to give more "weight" to sites that are linked from reputable directories (not those link farms).

Here are the directories you need to get listed on:

• DMOZ - Open Directory Project (which Google uses exclusively for their directory). YOU MUST be in this.
• Yahoo! - Yes, you have to pay for this listing (for expediting), but just do it. It's worth it.
• About.com - Find the right category and then email the editor. It can be hard to get listed here, but be persistent.

While it can take time to get listed in all of these, it is well worth the effort. Be patient, but also be persistent. If you don't see your listing up within a few weeks, submit your site again.