BackLinks For Your Website

posted by Ted on October 23, 2011

By David LeAche

It is well known that getting one way links or back-linking can be a positive way to increase your popularity with the search engines and so it has become a corner stone of search engine optimization for many webmasters.

One method is to seek out website directories and submit your website URL to the appropriate category. The problem is that not all directories are created equal and even some of the so called “high page rank” directories seem to have their weaknesses.

Here are ten points to consider when choosing to submit your website to a directory of websites:

1.Ease of Use:

I am constantly surprised at how some directories are completely non user friendly. Just last week I came across a PR4 directory that had no visible “Contact Us” system and, more to the point, no visible system of submitting links. The submission was a category lower, but there was nothing to indicate this. If the owners of the directory can’t be bothered to consider ease of use they don’t deserve your patronage.

2.“do-follow”:

It’s not much point submitting to a directory if they are going to brand your URL with a do not follow marker. That was the reason for using the directory: to get a do follow link. Several directories I have come across recently, mark your URL no follow if you don’t pay the feature or premium price! Make sure you ask this question and get it very clear in your mind as to what exactly you are getting.

3.Editing Practices:

You want your website link in a quality directory that is respected and this means good editing practices. Are you convinced that the editor will check all the links submitted and not accept those that lower the tone of the directory? Just because the link submitted is free shouldn’t mean it isn’t checked for quality…and will they send you an e-mail notifying you of your inclusion?

4.Link numbers:

There is nothing worse than seeing your website on a page with two hundred others. How many URL’s are there to a page? There needs to be enough for the search engines to consider the page viable but not that many that your own gets lost in the dog pile. Fifteen to twenty links per page is a good measure that I go looking for.

5.Category “Spidering”:

For good quality links that get noticed you need to match the submission category with your websites content. But does the category you submit to get spidered by the search engines? The home page may but do all the category pages? Will you find the “Education” category of the directory on Google’s first page? Type it in and see, and read the “About Us Pages” to see what the directory owners say about this. Good directories give you two pages: the website listing on one and a separate website description page.

6.Listing Options:

Does the directory offer you a choice of listing options? So many just want money and this may not always be the best deal for you. Free is good, but could you be at the top of the category for a small fee, and does it matter if you are at the top? A big one time fee may not be the better system over a smaller yearly payment.

What happens if you decide to move the site, change your site, sell your site or just run out of energy? You have paid money up-front. Yearly you can pay as you go and make sure you are getting your moneys worth. What if you paid a $75 one time fee and the Directory shuts down after six months? A little thought here could save you some money in the long run.

7.Thumbnails:

Do you get a thumbnail picture of your home page with your listing? Thumbnails have been proven to decrease “bounce” time and increase “stickiness”. Visitors tend to notice the pictures and are more likely to click on them. This may be a good reason to opt for a featured listing for a small fee.

8.Directory Rank:

The question of directory page ranking is an interesting one. Are we talking about the page rank of the home page or the page rank of the category you are submitting to? Often the front “Home Page” is much higher. Don’t forget that getting into a PR 0 (Zero) directory this year for free could mean a good spot in the directory when it reaches PR6 in a few years time! The directory grows with you for free while getting into a PR6 directory could cost you hundreds.

9.Quality Resources:

I always look for what resources the directory is offering to me as a webmaster. These are usually found in the “Pages” column to the side where you should find the “About Us” pages, the “Privacy” pages and the “Disclosure” pages. All websites should now have a disclosure page if they have affiliate advertising on their sites.

More importantly I look for extra resources and materials that I can use. A document on how to improve my link structure or tips to improve my S.E.O. plan may be offered. Free E-Books and downloads that I can use and even articles for my own information or to use for content. What has the owner of the directory added to entice me to submit my website?

10.Extras:

Finally, good directory webmasters like to provide useful extras: twitter and Facebook connections, latest article lists, latest links lists, opportunity to bookmark, opportunities for free stuff, the opportunity to suggest a category. These webmasters care and that is an indication of a quality maintained directory not an absentee landlord.

There are many very good website directories out there and they can be both useful and informative to the webmaster who wants to build their link structure. Just be aware of what you are getting: The search engines know a good link when they see one!

One Directory you want to check out for yourself is the Jade Lakes Directory. The author is also the webmaster of the Jade Lakes Directory for quality websites and articles. A human edited, family friendly general directory.

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