Internet marketing professionals and SEO experts know that 80% percent of the traffic to your website comes from search engines. If that's the case, then is there any point in submitting your site to web directories? The answer is a resounding yes. While directories themselves may not generate an overwhelming amount of traffic to your site, they can greatly improve your search engine ranking. Search engines place a premium on one-way links, and that's exactly what links from directories are—one-way links. So simply having a number of one-way links from directories can improve your search engine ranking immensely. Not to mention that directories can drive targeted traffic to your site in a way that lots of other linking strategies cannot. Now that you know the value of web directories, use these four tips to create your directory submission strategy.



1. Prepare Your Site. If you don't have a high-quality site then chances are you won't get listed by directories. Your content should be useful and relevant. It should be free of “under construction” pages and broken links. Make sure that you keep ads to a minimum, that you don't redirect users to other pages, and that you don't have duplicate content on another site.

2. Get Your Listing Details Ready. Keep the following information in front of you at all times to make directory submission easier: Your URL, the title of your website, a description of your website, your keywords, and your name and address.

When preparing your website title, remember that some directories will only accept your website's official name while others will allow some keywords. If you submit your URL to sites that allow keywords, don't succumb to the temptation to keyword stuff.

When preparing your description, just write two or three factual statements about your business. It should never sound like an advertisement.

Some directories require you to separate your keywords by commas while others require you to separate them by spaces. Write them out in both formats to make this job a little easier.

3. Find Good Directories. Use DMOZ and Yahoo to find more-specialized niche directories. When you're checking out each directory, pay attention to how it's organized, and spend some time determining which category or categories are most appropriate for your site. When you submit your site, note it on a log with the date of your submission.

4. Check Your Results. Some directories notify you when your site is listed and some don't. Be sure to check the directories to which you have submitted often to find out if your site is listed. If it's been over two months and your site still isn't listed, try submitting it again, but don't resubmit any sooner than that.

You can also talk to the directory owner and inquire about your submission status, but don't make a nuisance of yourself if the owner doesn't respond to you. There's probably a reason that your site isn't listed. Remember that not all submissions are successful. This may be one of those cases.

Directory submissions have the potential to be a time-consuming and tedious task. If you're up for the job then go for it! If not, don't hesitate to contact an internet marketing professional. This person can offer tons of assistance. Not only can she tell you which niche directories are most appropriate for your site, but she can help you submit to those directories, and even help you decide how to integrate directory submissions into your overall internet marketing strategy.

Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, be sure to make directory submissions part of your search engine optimization plan. Drive traffic to your site and turn visitors into loyal customers!