web directory submission sites are still relevant in the aspect of creating backlinks and enhancing website search engine optimization (SEO). Although, their effects are not as grand as before, getting your site listed in quality directories offers benefits that include; the visibility that results from being listed, web traffic that is likely to come from the directory, and the creation of quality backlinks.
This article will be useful for those who start their journey into the world of SEO, and also for those who want to expand the range of link-building tactics because it will help you understand the potential of web directory submission sites for website promotion. Let’s dive in!
What Are Web Directory Submission Sites?
It is an online business that lists websites in an organized manner or categorizes them in directories. It can be viewed as a selective list of Web content that enables users to search for sites in the given categories or topics.
- The basic process works like this: The basic process works like this:
- Webmasters fill in the site’s information (URL, title, description, etc. ) to appropriate directories
- Directory administrators examine the submission
- If approved the site is added to the listings under the right category
Some of the most popular large web directories that were available in the past include DMOZ and Yahoo Directory. However, the huge players are not around, but there are still tens of thousands of specialized and local yellow and white page directories that can be useful.
Benefits of Directory Submissions for SEO
- Build Backlinks: The first benefit associated with SEO of directory submissions is the attainment of backlinks. This means that links from reputable directories will transfer authority to your website, which will help in ranking the website on the search engine.
- Increase Online Visibility: Listing your site in relevant web directory submission sites means your site is visible to visitors who are actively searching for content in your niche.
- Improve Local SEO: As far as local customers are concerned, the business’s listings in local directories are important in local searches. This feature is useful in enabling search engines to locate your business and understand the areas you serve.
- Enhance Credibility: You must seek to be listed in these directories since this would enhance your site’s credibility. Many users know that the sites containing directory listings are usually authentic and reliable.
- Generate Targeted Traffic: The target audience is directly interested in the directory’s content, which is connected to a certain niche. This traffic is also more relevant and will probably engage with your content and perform the desired call to action.
Types of Web Directory Submission Sites
- General Web Directories: These general directories allow any website to be included in its list without discrimination based on the type of content it offers. They usually cover a vast array of primary and subcategories.
- Niche Directories focus on particular industries, subjects, or kinds of websites. They target a specific audience that is most likely to be interested in the topics of discussion on such forums.
- Local Directories: Geographical directories are of two types. These are local business directories that sort the companies by their respective locations. It is significant to understand that they are imperative for local SEO.
- Paid Directories: Some directories are paid directories that want money for the submission or the enhanced listings. There are usually differences in the speed of reviewing the site’s entries and the presence of additional features in the case of paid directories.
- Free Directories: As demonstrated by their name, these directories provide free access to submitting sites. The quality of the product may differ substantially, so the selection should be done with due diligence.
- Blog Directories: Blog submission sites are particularly useful for blogs to attract attention and find an audience.
- Article Directories let you post articles with links to your site that will help your site rank. Some are useful even though their effectiveness is not as significant as before.
Top 100 Web Directory Submission Sites List
600+ More Web Directory Submission Sites
Best Practices for Directory Submissions
- Concern for Quality Rather than Quantity: It is more effective if one’s site is enrolled in several appropriate and reputable directories than to be enlisted in hundreds of them.
- Choose Relevant Categories: Choose the category, which is most relevant to your site. Do not attempt to add your business to other categories that are not related to it, in the desperation of getting more listings.
- Craft Unique Descriptions: Create a new and interesting description for each of the directories to which you will be submitting your website. Do not use the same text in two or more directories.
- Use Consistent NAP Information: For the local businesses make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are uniform across all the directories you list in.
- Vary Anchor Text: In case the option of the anchor text in your listing is available, do not make it look mechanical instead, make it look natural. Do not overuse your target keywords all the time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Quality Over Quantity: The most dangerous mistake is to include your site in third-rate or spam directories. Although it appears perfectly logical to get backlinks from as many sites as possible, links from such sites may negatively affect your site’s reputation and SEO results.
- The Perils of Automation: Though automated submission tools are helpful for submitting articles to directories, care should be taken not to misuse them as this may lead to the submission of low-quality articles or even attract the wrath of search engines.
- Content Optimization Pitfalls: Keywording in titles or descriptions is a practice that is now regarded as obsolete and can lead to penalties from search engines. However, you should write fresh, creatively oriented descriptions for each directory that will contain keywords by themselves.
- Targeting and Relevance: Do not underestimate the utility of niche-specialized directories. These can offer highly relevant backlinks and targeted visitors. Likewise, ensure you submit to the correct categories in the directories.
- Consistency and Maintenance: The business details submitted to the various directory listings should be consistent, which is especially important for local SEO. If not handled properly, they can affect users’ ease of use and search engine visibility of your site.
- Local Focus: Local directories are therefore helpful for businesses that have physical premises. It can greatly help your local SEO optimization strategies and can easily reach customers within your area.
Conclusion
Although they are not as powerful as they used to be, directory submissions are still useful components of an effective link-building strategy. If you are careful enough to select the right directories to submit to and follow the right guidelines, directory submission can be very useful in increasing your visibility online, authoritative backlinks, and traffic to your site.
It has also been stated above that directory submissions should not be considered the lone strategy for the improvement of the site’s ranking. They should be used alongside other strategies, such as content marketing, guest posting, and social media, to yield the best results. Now that you have all the directory submission sites listed in this guide, you can start working on building a more diverse backlink and get better rankings with the search engines.
FAQs
What Directory submission Sites?
These are web-based sites where one can submit the URL of its site and details to get listed in categorized directories. They assist in enhancing the site’s ranking, visibility, and traffic in the virtual world.
The benefits of using a Directory submission site?
Directory submission sites offer quality linkages, web exposure, and an increase in traffic to your website. They also improve the company’s reputation and are a cheap channel of advertising for the business.
What else do I have to know now that I am planning to submit my sites to directories?
For directory submissions, usually, the webmaster may require your web address, title, web description of up to 150-200 words, keywords, and other contact details. There could also be directories that call for business address details for local listings.
What can I do to improve my directory submissions?
To get higher results from directory submissions, the description should be different from all other submissions, select the right category, keep the business information consistent, and concentrate on quality directories. One must also ensure that he or she submits listings and update them frequently.
