Should You Do Directory Submissions?

Building Link Popularity Through Directory Submissions

Using directory submissions to build your company’s link popularity has become a more popular link building practice over the last couple of years. The big question is this: How much does submitting to web directories really help your link popularity?

Before we begin: There is one type of web directory that you should really care about, a web directory that will give you a one way text link. Now you will find thousands of these web directories both paid and free that are willing to do this so if you come across one that requires a reciprocal link from you, just turn and walk away, it’s not worth your time.

Let’s begin with the benefits of directory submissions. You create a website for your business and you want clients to be able to view your products and services from the comfort of their own home with the greatest of ease. But how do you draw clients to your website when they don’t know that you even exist? This is where web directories come into play. You can submit your website to as many web directories as you choose and if your site is approved (most are), they will link to your site. Congratulations, you have started building your link popularity.

Sounds easy and promising. It really is probably the easiest way to start building your link popularity. You just need the time and determination to submit to directories.

Now the down side. Not all directories are created equal. It seems that the search engines pick and choose which directories they are going to count in the link popularity equation. This is why you have to do many directory submissions (I would suggest a minimum of 100 submissions) so you chances are higher of the links getting counted toward your link popularity.

Another downside. Paid directories can start to add up. If you have a limited budget this can be a pain. However, submitting to good established paid directories can show the search engines that you are serious about your website.

In essence, the best move you can make is to research the directories available. Compare pricing and traffic volume as well as the page rank of directory. Also, go out and actually use the site and see if it easy for the customers to locate businesses such as yours. After all, the whole point of this is to make things easier for people to get to your site.

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