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.

Search Engines vs. Directories

Before I even get into the process of search engine optimization, let's get back to the basics first.

What is a Search Engine?

• Huge databases that help people find relevant information on the Internet.
• Search engines rely on computer programs called "robots" or "spiders." These programs "crawl" across the web by following links from site to site and indexing each site they visit.
• Each search engine uses its own set of criteria “algorithm” to decide what to include in its database.

What is a Directory?

• Typically are categorial listings of websites that can be searched by a visitor.
• Internet directories generally do not use software programs.
• Compiled by humans who review and organize web sites by subject into categories.
  

Search Engines vs. Directories

• Search engines use robots
• Directories use people
• Top search engines have both robots and people
• Different factors are used for search engines than for directories

Seems simple enough you say. So, why do you need to know all of this? Well, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out!