When optimizing your website for better search results, we usually break down the optimization into two phases on site optimization and off site optimization (or on page/off page optimization).
on site optimization is based upon site structure, the text, the code, and the links that comprise your website. This article is going to focus more on off site optimization. Specifically, directory submissions.
Directories are what people used to use before there were search engines. Even the first search engines where mostly directory based. The main idea of off site optimization is to have links back to your site with the anchor text of the keywords you are trying to rank for in the search engines.
Anchor text is the words that you click on to go to a link. Directories are a great way to have any of the major search engines see that other sites are linking to you. However, you want to be careful that you are getting links from quality directories otherwise this may actually hurt your search engine results.
There are a few different types of directories out there that you can submit to:
- The Reciprocal Link Directory – these directories will list your site, however they require a link back to their sit from yours.
- The Free Directory – these directories are less abundant and can be harder to get listed in. However, they do not require a link back to their website and result in what is known as a one way back link.
- The Paid Directory – these directories are usually high quality, do not require a link back, but do charge a fee for being listed.
Below I have listed some of the directories I recommend you list with. I’m not going to cover the reciprocal link directories because I like to focus on getting higher quality one way back links.
Paid Directories
Best Of The Web – Best of the Web is committed to maintaining the high standard of listings that has proven key to its success while continuing to grow. To rank among the Best of the Web, a site must adhere to the strict criteria of editors who ensure that it contains substantive unique content, navigates in a user-friendly manner, contains no broken links or pictures, is up and running 24/7, and conforms to universally accepted web standards. In this way, quality sites are added to the directory on a daily basis and listed in relevant categories that run the gamut of the alphabet from the arts to zoology.
Yahoo! Directory – Yahoo! Directory Submit is part of a suite of services created to help businesses like yours get more out of Yahoo!, more efficiently. Whether you’ve submitted to the Yahoo! Directory in the past or are a new user, Yahoo! Directory Submit provides expedited review of web sites you propose for the Yahoo! Directory.
Free Directories
DMOZ – This is probably the best free directory out there with a Google PageRank of 8. However, they have very strict submission guidelines and sometimes it is next to impossible to get listed in their directory. It’s still worth a shot though since it takes very little time.
SoMuch.com – Google PageRank 5
TSection – Google PageRank 5
SearchSight – Google PageRank 5
IllumiRate - Google PageRank 5
Apex00 – Google PageRank 4
Directory submission is just the beginning of your backlink building campaign, but is a nice easy start when you are trying to get your website a higher ranking.
If you don’t feel like going through the trouble of all of this, Lawyer Website Solutions offers Pay Per Performance Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services for attorneys and law firms.
Tags: Directory Submission, Search Engine Optimization, Search Results, SEO
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