Pawel Szulencki Search Engine Optimization/Marketing blog.
Are web directories important to SEO?
19Dec2008 Filed under: SEO Author: Pawel Szulencki
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Web directories used to be the only way of finding information on the Internet. At that time being listed in directory could mean being popular or being unknown to anyone. But search engines changed that situation.
Nowadays almost everyone starts their day by going to their favorite search engine and finding some interesting news stories, new websites etc. Now its being on top listings in search engines is important, not being listed in web directories.
So why do we still recommend web directory submission?
Occupying top rankings in search engines may be hard to achieve to almost impossible for some websites while being listed in web directories is accessible and easy to perform for most webmasters. Moreover Internet users still search through web directories to find information (maybe not so commonly as in the old days), but it is still huge number of users. That number is big enough not to forget about it.
Google may have lowered the importance of web directories in its algorithms, but its doesn’t mean they don’t count those links at all. Algorithms change every day, so its no surprise that this happened. Some day social media links may be lowered in importance in the future as well, who knows.
We should concentrate on the main thing: the users. If they search though web directories and our website is not listed there, we are loosing possible traffic to our website. We cant afford that. Thats why its still advisable to submit your website to top web directories.
Submitting to all available directories is pointless. You should focus on the web directories that people in your industry actually use, because thats where your visitors will come from. There are millions of web directories on the Internet (seriously), but how many of them are actually visited by your target audience? Just some of them.
Thats your target - localize those top directories and submit your link to them. Dont worry so much on what Google says about the importance of such web directory links. Focus on reaching your clients. Thats your goal.
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About this blog
Pawel Szulencki is a SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and Marketing certified specialist who is interested in organic SEO, paid campaigns (PPC) and Social Media Marketing channels. (Read more)
Oliver (1 comments.)
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I totally agree with you there… if there is possible traffic from something like this, then you may as well submit your website there! It also has possible Link Juice for your website too… so at the end of the day, you have nothing to lose really… I personally don’t get much, if any, traffic from Bookmarking sites etc, or directories, but as I say, I may as well post into them!
Thanks a lot for this post! Keep it up
Pawel Szulencki (169 comments.)
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
@Oliver: Exactly. If there are people searching web directories, and if your site is not listed there, you are loosing traffic and potential customers.
Thanks for your opinion Oliver.
Free (1 comments.)
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 pm
You might aswell submit your site. You are loosing potential traffic if you don’t although it can be time consuming to submit your site!
Pawel Szulencki (169 comments.)
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 am
@Free: I think everything is time consuming if you want to do it the right way. Web directory submission is no different. Locating relevant directories where the real traffic is at is time consuming, but in the end of the day it pays off.
Free LCD TV (1 comments.)
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:38 am
I would disagree with you.
How do we know there are lots of people using web directories? I myself haven’t ever used a directory and I dont believe i have ever stumbled across one. I see them as money making sites for the directory owner but not actually providing use for an internet user
Pawel Szulencki (169 comments.)
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
@Free LCD TV: Web directories still have value and should not be forgotten. The fact that you personally dont use web directories doesn’t mean others don’t as well. If you check some local phrases you will see tons and tons of quality directories on top of organic results. They do drive traffic to websites and if you are not listed there, you loose clients.
Besides it is strongly advised to be listed at DMOZ, BOWT, business.com and Yahoo! directory because search engines start crawling the web from those big and quality web directories. Top directories have PR of 6-9 and submitting to appropriate category within certain directory will make sure you are connected with relevant web page on the web and search engines will connect you with good neighborhood as well.
My point is:
Think as your own client, not yourself. If webmasters would think as themselves every website would be understandable only to percentage of people actually visiting their website because of the language used, design etc. Think as your potential client and you will benefit from it.
john (1 comments.)
January 7th, 2009 at 11:18 am
List of free web directories for submitting your site free and securing the inbound links to youe site.
free web directories
Pawel Szulencki (169 comments.)
January 7th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
@john: Thanks for that list john.
Chandler (1 comments.)
January 18th, 2009 at 12:58 am
well web directories helps in thier own way like when someone searches your web then the results of your sites on directories appears so it improves google indexing
Pawel Szulencki (169 comments.)
January 18th, 2009 at 10:07 am
@Chandler: Many people visit websites through their listings in various web directories. They search for a website and see the directory listing. They click on it and follow to the main website through that directory. It both improves your rankings in search engines (more inbound links) and you get targeted traffic. What more can u ask for?
Thanks for participating in our conversation Chandler. Its good point of view.
Dubai website (2 comments.)
January 19th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
visit a website from a web directory or from any other website called referring traffic means the website which refer from any other website has good web popularity.
so i think web directories are really important for seo.
Pawel Szulencki (169 comments.)
January 19th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
@Dubai website: Exactly. If your users can find your website through a web directory, you should get listed. Otherwise they will find your competitors website and not yours. Thats why its important.
Spiky (1 comments.)
February 6th, 2009 at 1:08 am
Well! web directories are pretty useful as for me i always search on them and as Chandler said it also improves SE searches
Buy Lcd (1 comments.)
February 16th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Directories can be still important, but you need to choose accurately the dir from wich to obtain backlinks, if is in the same niche of your site is much better.
Web directory submission (1 comments.)
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:02 am
Submitting to web directories serves a dual purpose: drive traffic to your website through direct referrals and provide static, one-way links to your site, boosting your link popularity and improving your rankings on the major search engines.