How to Get Your Web Site Listed in the Search Engine
Directories Part 2
by Herman Drost
Published on this site: February
8th, 2004
Submitting
your web site to the search engine directories will give you a great boost in
traffic. A listing in a large search engine directory like ODP (Open Directory
Project) enables your web site to get indexed for free by the major search engines
such as AskJeeves, AOLSearch, Google, and Lycos. Directories will also help increase
your page ranking. However getting listed in the search engine directories is
more difficult than the major search engines. Preparation and patience is needed.
In
Part 1 we covered "How to Get Your Web Site Listed
in the Major Search Engines"
So what's the difference between the
major search engines and major search engine directories?
Search engines
are often confused as being the same as search directories.
A search engine
is a web-based software tool that enables the user to locate sites and pages on
the web based on the information they contain.
Search directories use people,
so you are dependant on these editors to put in a description of your website
that will cover the keyword phrases that you need. Therefore, before submitting
your site to a directory think carefully about the description that you enter.
How
to prepare your web site for search engine directory submissions.
-
Research the best keywords - use the overture suggestion tool or wordtracker tool
to find the keywords best suited for your site. It's no point entering words in
a directory that don't relate to your site or are not often searched for. Include
these keywords in your page content and in each of your meta tags.
-
Evaluate your site - search directories are more particular about allowing web
sites to get listed than search engines.
Therefore make sure your site
has no broken links, includes relevant content-based pages, loads quickly (within
10 seconds), is easy to navigate, and has cross browser compatibility.
-
Prepare your title - if you are a business enter your business name ie Drost Web
Design. If you don't have a business name use the name of your site ie iSiteBuild.com.
Don't use a long title. This may help you get listed in the search engines but
not in the directories.
- Write a description - remember that human
beings are looking at your description so don't create an ad. Create a well written
description of about 25 words, that clearly explains what your site has to offer.
-
Look professional - your web site should have a professional appearance. Don't
just put up a bunch of affiliate links to other sites or just have a one page
sales letter.
- Submit your site - navigate through the directory
to find the best category for your web site. Don't just include what you think
is the most popular but the most targeted category.
An easy way to find
out is to enter your search terms in the directory.
- Be patient
- it can take months or sometimes even years to get listed. This is because there
are thousands of sites being submitted every day. If your site has not been listed
after 3 months, then resubmit.
- Guarantee - there is no guarantee
to get listed as the categories may already be filled. There may also be a backlog
of sites to be reviewed. Therefore concentrate your efforts on other marketing
methods.
In Part 3 of this article we'll discuss the detailed requirements
for submitting your web site to each Major Search Engine Directory in order to
attract thousands of targeted visitors.
Herman Drost is the author of the popular ebook: "101 Highly
Effective Strategies to Promote Your Web Site"
http://www.isitebuild.com/web-site-promotion
Subscribe
to his "Marketing Tips" newsletter for more original articles. mailto:[email protected].
You can read more of his in-depth articles at: http://www.isitebuild.com/articles.
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