Seek Inclusion in Editorially-Reviewed Internet Directories
Inclusion in a Tier 1 directory or relevant niche directory won't drive much direct traffic to your website, but it can help you indirectly by improving the ranking of your website in search engine results.
Most directories offer detailed instructions that explain how to submit a URL for consideration by their human editors. If your website is approved, the directory will create a permanent link to your website from a highly relevant and authoritative category page.
There are three key success factors.
- Target human-edited directories with high Google PageRank.
- Study each directory's categories carefully so that you apply for inclusion in their most relevant category.
- When offering a suggested description of your website, stuff-in as many relevant keyphrases as possible within the bounds of good copywriting and their space limitations.
Warning: Do not use automated software that submits your website for consideration to "hundreds of directories." Some of these "directories" may actually be untrusted "link farms" that could actually harm your search engine ranking and may result in frequent spam upgrade offers.
General Directory Recommendations
At minimum, submit your website for inclusion in these Tier 1 general directories:
Although more commercially oriented, if there is a category appropriate to your cause at the following Tier 1 directories, strongly consider submitting your website for a listing in:
If your time and budget allow, consider submitting your website for a listing in Tier 2 general directories, such as ExactSeek (http://exactseek.com) and GoGuides (http://goguides.org).
Three very good lists of general directories can be found at:
Niche Directory Recommendations
It's also wise to submit your website for inclusion in authoritative niche directories for your cause. The trick is to identify the truly authoritative niche directories versus the hundreds of pretenders. You will uncover a few of the best niche directories, and hundreds of the waste-of-time directories, by searching Google with these combinations of search terms:
<keyphrase> + directory
<keyphrase> + "submit a link"
<keyphrase> + "add URL"
<keyphrase> + submit
For instance, if you advocate for free trade, review the directories ranked in the top 100 results at Google for the following searches:
"free trade" + directory
"free trade" + "submit a link"
"free trade" + submit
"free trade" + "add URL"
As a general rule of thumb, you can tell if inclusion in a niche directory is important if you've heard of the directory before uncovering its website using a Google search. For another opinion, download the Google Toolbar at http://toolbar.google.com to check the directory's PageRank. If the niche directory has a PageRank of 3 or higher, it's worth the effort to seek inclusion for free. If the niche directory has a PageRank of 5 or higher, it may be worthwhile to pay for inclusion.
In addition to niche directories, ask relevant city and state government agencies to add a link to your organization in their online resource webpages. Such requests can be an easy way to obtain a link from a .gov website.
