Just reading that headline above “do SEO”… Has SEO become a verb now? “I’ll SEO it”…

I guess it has, which is kinda weird…

Anyway, on with today’s article!

Today I want to show you a very simple way to get a better search engine ranking, thanks to business directories.

When most people think of web directories these days, the first thing that comes to mind is low quality, spammy links that will never bring a single visitor to your site and may actually do more harm than good to your SEO campaign. While this is true for many web directories, there are actually still a lot of great authoritative directories out there that are definitely worth the time and effort to get listed on.

There are niche and special purpose directories that can both improve your rankings in the major search engines and drive a little traffic to your site. The trick is finding these quality directories, and to get you started, I have compiled this list of great directory submission sites and ideas.

1. Niche Directories

A niche directory is designed to feature sites that relate to a specific subject. For example, if I have a travel site, I would look for quality travel specific directories to submit to. Running a quick Google search for “list of travel directory sites” produces a great list of travel directories on DMOZ and Directory Clinic to get started with. By just following these first two organic results, you already have a list of well over a hundred potential travel directory sites to submit to.

Create a spreadsheet of all the niche directories you find for your specific niche. Next to each directory, note the PageRank using a PageRank tool and whether the directory is free, requires a reciprocal link, or if paid, how much it costs. You might even want to check out the amount of traffic each site gets by using Alexa.

Now look over your options to figure out how to get the most bang for your buck. Your main focus should be on high PageRank directories that offer free submissions, but don’t pass up a really good link on a site with a very minimal one-time fee. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend wasting time submitting to directories with no PageRank because often those directories were flagged by Google.

2. Business Directories

Unlike general web directories, business directories often require more information for each submission. Usually a phone number, address, brief company description, and other basic company information are required. A business directory submission definitely takes a little more time and effort than a general web directory submission, but these links are usually well worth the extra effort.

Example of a business directory: http://businessdirectory.bizjournals.com/

3. Webcam Directories

Is your office or home located near a major road or tourist attraction? Consider setting up a webcam and submitting it to a webcam directory. Many people like to check traffic before they head into work, and if you can provide a good view of traffic flow on a major road, your webcam could start to get an online following.

If you have a view of some sort of popular tourist attraction, you could not only get links from webcam directories, but could very well attract a lot of natural links as well. The same goes for a webcam a major road. Really good webcams are great at attracting a lot of natural links.

If some sort of special event is going to be happening in your area that you can set up a webcam for, this can quickly generate lots of traffic and natural links. A webcam showing Mardi Gras in New Orleans, for example, could be a big hit online.

Example of a webcam directory: http://www.earthcam.com/

4. eBook Directories

Have you published an eBook? If so, why not submit it to some eBook Directories and get some good quality links from it. Some of these directories may actually bring you some readers too.

Example of an eBook directory: http://e-library.net/

5. Logo Design Directories

Have an appealing company logo? Consider submitting it to logo design directories. Some of these directories not only offer a link back to your site from your featured logo but also allow you to set up a profile and list your company URL in your profile as well.

Example of a logo design directory: http://logopond.com/

6. 0800 Directories

If your company has a 0800/1-800 number, consider submitting it to a 0800/1-800 directory. There aren’t a lot of 0800/1-800 directories around, but there are a few with good site authority that are worth submitting to.

0800 is not the only prefix accepted by 0800 directories. Other prefixes such as 1-800, 888, 877, 866, and 855 are often accepted.

Example of a 0800/1-800 directory: http://www.inter800.com/

7. Regional Directories

Regional directories only accept listings from businesses that are located in a particular region or city. For example, a South West England regional directory would only feature websites of businesses that are located in the Devon/Cornwall and surrounding area.

Example of a regional directory: http://www.austinlinks.com/

8. RSS Directories

Do you have a RSS feed? If so, there are a lot of great RSS directories to submit to.

Example of an RSS directory: http://www.rss-network.com/

9. Blog Directories

If you have a blog, it’s worth submitting it to some blog directories. A lot of blog directories have popped up over the past few years, and it’s certainly not hard to put together a good list of blog directories to submit to.

Example of a blog directory: http://www.blogarama.com/

10. Podcast Directories

Do you have a podcast? If so, picking up some quality links from podcast directories isn’t hard either.

Example of Podcast Directory: http://www.learnoutloud.com

There are, of course, many many more examples of unique and authoritative directories online. If you have any tips, leave ’em in the comments!

If you’d like us to “do some SEO” on your website then get in touch to find out how we can help

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Neil