Directory Submissions
A web directory or link directory is a directory on the World Wide Web. It specializes in linking to other web sites and categorizing those links.
A web directory is not a search engine and does not display lists of web pages based on keywords; instead, it lists web sites by category and subcategory. Most web directory entries are also not found by web crawlers but by humans. The categorization is usually based on the whole web site rather than one page or a set of keywords, and sites are often limited to inclusion in only a few categories. Web directories often allow site owners to submit their site for inclusion, and have editors review submissions for fitness. -- Wikipedia.
Website directories are another great way to get found, way out in the ether. Way back in the olden days, a business was going no where if it wasn't listed in the Yellow Pages. Now there are zillions of online directories that can take it's place. You just have to search and find some directories to get into.
But where to start ? How about with some more free stuff ?
Get Listed
dmoz
The Open Directory Project (ODP), also known as dmoz (from directory.mozilla.org, its original domain name), is a multilingual open content directory of World Wide Web links. It is owned by Netscape but it is constructed and maintained by a community of volunteer editors.
ODP uses a hierarchical ontology scheme for organizing site listings. Listings on a similar topic are grouped into categories which can then include smaller categories. -- Wikipedia.
At RE:, we utilize and support open-source projects as much as possible, and they don't get much better than dmoz. Human input, human reviewed, human updated, human maintained. All volunteer. It's nearly perfect and it is free to join into and get listed. Jump on in. ( Our listing is pending approval. )
Manta
We just love Manta's slogan, "Were Small Business Grows." What else do we really need to say about this small business directory ? It's free to get listed also, or you can pay for upgrades, but really, truly -- the free stuff is very comprehensive. If you have a small business but can't afford a website, get in Manta instead. If you don't, you are making a mistake. It's FREE !
Search for Others
There are zillions of directories, some free, some not. We like free. What is your business ? Get in the "glasfooblers" directory. State directory, city directory, village directory, library directory, etc. Join the Better Business Bureau or local Chamber of Commerce and get into their online directories. Angie's List. The local Business Journal. Is your business overseen by a professional organization ? Get in as many directories as you can. This is more exposure for your business which can only be beneficial.
Where are your potential customers ? Get your presence in front of them. Show the horses where the water is and some of them will want to drink it.
And, don't forget, also get into the Yellow Pages. You can get in it for free. Here are 50 directory ideas for you to start with !
Back Links
Backlinks, also known as incoming links, inbound links, inlinks, and inward links, are incoming links to a website or web page. In basic link terminology, a backlink is any link received by a web node (web page, directory, website, or top level domain) from another web node.
Inbound links were originally important (prior to the emergence of search engines) as a primary means of web navigation; today, their significance lies in search engine optimization (SEO). The number of backlinks is one indication of the popularity or importance of that website or page (for example, this is used by Google to determine the PageRank of a webpage). Outside of SEO, the backlinks of a webpage may be of significant personal, cultural or semantic interest: they indicate who is paying attention to that page. -- Wikipedia.
This is very important stuff. Some directories will list your business and hopefully provide a link to your website for free, if you link to their website. They want your back link. Do it. Your business website needs to be seen and found. One hand, washes the other.
If 100 companies sell glasfooblers, you need your website's PageRank to rise as fast as it can initially. If your website is #99 in a search, that isn't good. We will have more on backlinks to follow, so please keep on reading.
RE: exists to assist you with your website's SEO needs. Please contact us with any requirements that you may have.