Please note: The information provided in the 58+ pages on this website was written in 2008 and contains old and out-dated information. I will be releasing new updated information soon that will show you how to get around the problems facing most of the web directories online today. So please sign up to the newsletter to get the soon-to-be released update!Before I get into what type of directory is better to build let me explain what each is.
A General directory is one that has no focus and covers a wide variety of topics. They contain categories for everything… from art dealers to online Casinos. General directories like this include dmoz.org, google.com/dirhp, botw.org as well as dir.yahoo.com.
A Niche directory is one that is focused on one topic. Instead of having a bunch of general categories they include categories under one main niche. So for example a directory for photographers would have categories for different styles of photography, locations photographers are in, specialized photographic services etc. The directory is focused solely on photographers and that is it, nothing more.
Both types of directories have their advantages and disadvantages but in my experience Niche directories outperform and outlast General directories. There are several reasons for this.
- Niche directories contain focused content. The more focused your content the better chance you have at ranking for any of the keywords you are optimizing for.
- Niche directories usually have a domain with the specific keywords in them that they are targeting i.e. Seoconsultants.com or Photographydirectory.org
- Niche directories receive links back to their site with their targeted keyword in the link text. If another webmaster references a site they will usually do so either by using the domain name or by what the site is about.
- Niche directories naturally receive links from related sites. If a directory is started in a niche and shows that it is an authority site, webmasters running sites in that same niche will be more likely to link to a resource which will be of some use to their visitors. This also follows Google’s webmaster policy of gaining links from only related sources.
- Niche directories usually link out only to other sites related to their niche. This displays some type of editorial guidelines even if they are general. Because submitted sites must be related to the directories niche it shows Google and other search engines that you are actively filtering out non related sites and that you are not just selling links or Pagerank to anyone who comes along.
Other advantages of Niche directories
Running a niche directory allows you to stay focused on specific content and if you are truly passionate about your subject then it makes working on your site a lot more pleasurable. There is nothing worse than working on something you are not interested in at all.
That is why I advocate starting a directory on something you are very passionate about. A niche that is on or related to your hobbies or business is where you should start to look for ideas.
There is still room for niche and super niche directories. General type directories have been overdone and the web really doesn’t need anymore of them. The only place to go and thrive now is into small niches. And you can get as focused as you want. Instead of doing a directory on photographers you could go one step deeper and focus on California photographers. And further still to California digital photographers. The niches that can be covered are virtually limitless.
Building a niche directory not only allows you to create a useful resource online but it conveys you as an authority in your niche. It’s almost like creating an Association. An Association is an organization of people with a common purpose and having a formal structure. If you are the first person to start an Association you are saying to the world that you have the authority, that you also take responsibility for creating and governing it.
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