About
The AuthorArticle by Amelia Painter
Webmasters are always on the lookout to enhance the link popularity of the sites they manage – innkeepers should be too. One method of improving link popularity is to seek out authority sites – sites that are widely known on the Internet and have been live for some time. Unfortunately, such websites often charge high rates for text link ads.
Luckily, there is a less expensive alternative. Web directories can enhance your search engine visibility through increased link popularity and increase your traffic at the same time.
What is a Web Directory? A web directory is a collection of links broken down into relevant categories. Think Yahoo! and their directory, the Open Directory Project (ODP) or even the Google Directory (which is pulled from the ODP). At its most basic level, a web directory is a collection of links made available to the public. In other cases, like Yahoo, it is a professional resource for people actively looking for information.
To get listed in such a directory, you can either get listed for free (which might take a while), or in many cases, pay a one-time fee to have your website reviewed and entered in the directory. (Yahoo charges $299 for this service.)
The Value of Being Listed in a Web Directory: In theory, there are two main benefits of being listed in a web directory: Increased link-popularity and increased Web traffic.
Link Popularity: As far as link-popularity is concerned, you need to factor in several variables:
The Page Rank of the directory
The Page Rank of the category page on which you are listed
Where you are listed on the page
The number of competing sites on that page
More Traffic: Directory listings can be seen as traffic building opportunities.
Getting Listed in the Top Two Directories: Getting listed in a web directory is a function of three things:
Time -- It takes time for an editor to review your website and approve (or reject) your request. This is usually anywhere between a month to almost six months for huge web directories like Yahoo and Dmoz. You can reduce this to within a week by using the paid listing option, but for Yahoo this is a $299 option. Most innkeepers will usually avoid this option.
Money -- Apart from the Open Directory Project, the big directories usually require a nominal payment for your website to be listed.
Quality -- In some cases, directory inclusions can be rejected due to the poor quality of a website. If rejected, you generally receive feedback on how to improve your website.
The Big Guns Yahoo and ODP are the two biggest directories on the Internet, these are the main two we’ll discuss.
Yahoo A listing in Yahoo's directory has direct benefits: 1)Google – and other search engines as well – give your website an added importance if your website is listed in the Yahoo directory. 2)Yahoo is the primary choice for millions of search users.
The Open Directory Project The open directory project is a directory that rivals the reach of Yahoo. Why? Because directories like the Google Directory and many others are powered by its results. This gives a listing in the ODP a very high premium. However, because a listing in ODP is essentially free, there is very little you can do about the time factor. Many websites that are submitted are never indexed. On the other hand, quality websites that are added into their relevant categories are almost always accepted. It is critical that you follow their submission guidelines. Instructions for submitting the Open Directory Project are found at: http://www.dmoz.org/add.html.
If you are a member of the Iowa Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Association, check to see if your inn is listed in the ODP at this link: http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Iowa/Travel_and_Tourism/Lodging/
If you are a member of the Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Association, check to see if your inn is listed in the ODP at this link: http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Minnesota/Travel_and_Tourism/Lodging/Bed_and_Breakfast/
If you are a member of the Nebraska Bed & Breakfast Association, check to see if your inn is listed in the ODP at this link: http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Travel_and_Tourism/Lodging/
Before submitting to any directory, take the time to prepare a 25 word or less description of your entire web site. This description should make use of the two or three key terms (Example: Duluth, Minnesota bed and breakfast or Duluth MN Inn, or Duluth MN Hunting Lodge).
Always keep in mind that directory listings are important, but they only make up a portion of your overall online marketing strategy.
About
The Author
Article by Amelia Painter