Building Directory Links

So your ready to start building some links in directories, just how do you do it?

Outlined here is the simple process that we use that helps build a substantial number of links to most web sites. Keep in mind that while these links may not be as important as topical links but still can help you gain Internet presence. Beware of Cheese! Please review the page "To Link or Not to Link" prior to trying to build directory links or we will not be responsible for the results - or the large quantities of spam - from your link building efforts.

Do the Homework

The first step in this process is to gather the background on your web site and the business associated with it. You will need the name, address, phone number, county, state, zip, perhaps longitude and latitude and other demographic information about the Internet property and the business behind it.

Determine what you want people to link to. You need to first identify those pages, note their URL and the title of the web page (this is important).

Get the names of directories where you want to place links. Search City has a list of Internet Directories and speciality directories that we have used in the past. (No Guarantees Offered)

Find out the requirements of each directory for listing, perhaps you will need more demographic and background information. You may also need to have things such as your business name and mailing address on your web site - the DMOZ in particular requires this.

Determine your budget and yes you will have to pay to be listed in many directories. Many sites may offer to list you for free, but beware of the terms and conditions associated with these listings, many times they require a link back on your web site, which you may or may not want to provide. Listings in directories can vary greatly. Some links for highly promoted services like those offered by cosmetic surgery directories can cost $7500.00 per year for a listing, others like bed and breakfast listings can be more reasonable at $25-$500 per year. Many of these prices are dependent on the industry. Make sure that you are getting good value for these expensive listings. You should not only be getting search engine ranking but referrals as well from an expensive listing. BTW: You can list in the Rank1st directory for a one time fee of $5.00, an exchange link or by sweet talking the owner.

Gather the Tools

You will be SPAMMED. You will need a separate, valid e-mail address that you will use in listing your site. Unfortunately, many people put submission e-mail addresses on opt-in lists, it is just part of the terms and conditions. Many directories will not list your site if you use a free e-mail address from yahoo.com or similar sites.

You need to track your listings. Track where you have submitted your site, you can do this with a spreadsheet, database or plain old peice of paper. Often times, you will receive an e-mail response from them that you may need to reply to. You need to track these because you want to insure that your site actually does get listed - this can sometimes take several months. Many times it does not happen at all, in these cases you have found a SPAM site, please add it to the Rank1st Public Directory - Spam Sites, there is no fee for this listing.

The Process

• Go to the directory site
• Review the terms and conditions to see what you are obligated to
• Add your information, recording usernames and passwords used
• If the site requires a link back, proactively e-mail the site management asking for pricing
• Perform any follow-up or validation tasks

Follow Up and Maintenance

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is not following up on their listings. They figure, I am done with that chore and now I can forget about it. Twelve months later when they are banned from all search engines they finally have found out that the directory link they offered to link back to has become an adult site. Pay attention to your listings, visit them once a year(at least). Confirm that they are still there, sites do come and go quite frequently.

Consider a Submission Service?

Yes there are some reputable firms on the Internet that will help you submit your web sites to directories. Do they charge $19.95?? Typically not, but some have very affordable plans for coverage of small sites. They manage the process and insure that you are listed. At Rank1st we have used several of these services in the past where we are required to build vast numbers of links in a short time. Generally we prefer to submit our sites by hand. If you want us to recommend a service, give us a call.

Building Topical Links

Topical links are links from other individual web sites that provide in-depth topical information that is related to information on your web site. Topical links are most important because they typically have the most "relevance" top search engines and individual visitors. Most often in the process of doing this we also help expand your business network, perhaps introducing you to your next business partner or your next customer. Here is the simple process that we use to these high quality links:

• Identify our areas of expertise and the content related to that expertise
• Identify sites that provide related or complimentary content
• Identify specific pages, sites where we have complimentary information and a strategy for linking these sites
• Develop any additional content on the site we control to make the link
• Contact the webmaster or site owner via e-mail and arrange a telephone conversation to discuss a link exchange
• Discuss our linking strategy, the benefits to both sites and the terms and conditions that need to be met if any
• Put in place the code changes to execute the link

Exchanging Links With Others

Directory Link Exchanges

Many directories will want you to exchange links with them to list your web site. This is a way for them to build their Internet presence and provide you with a simple link. They build internet presence because they get a link from a site which generally contains relevant topical information. Ask yourself what you are gaining? Is it a link from a site that has topical information...well then perhaps there is some value in the exchange. In most cases we would rather pay for a directory link than place a link on our clients site to the directory.

NEVER, EVER, EVER, IN A MILLION YEARS put a link to a directory on your home page (unless you own it). This simply defaces your web site and in many cases can affect the first impression of your visitors and customers. I liken this to sitting down with a new client, getting a moment to offer my value proposition and then having to sit through an advertisement through a commercial from someone else (likely the Prophylaxis Society webring - no offense meant folks). Remember that whatever is on that page can affect your clients impression of you.

Topical Link Exchanges

Great News! If someone wants a link on your site consider yourself successful in developing a great site content. For specifics on a topical link exchange see the section above that talks about building topical links. When you build a topical link this is an opportunity to for both parties to improve their Internet Properties, take advantage of it, be open to ideas and present your own. This is an opportunity to build great presence on the Internet for your web site.

About Rank1st

Rank1st Technology Services helps build Internet presence of web sites large and small. As part of our services we help companies develop linking strategies, implement link building efforts and educate web site owners. Our goal is to help you make the most out of your Internet marketing dollar.