Monday, January 5, 2009

process for listing Open Directory

The process for listing in the Open Directory:-

STEP 1. Find the categories that you "belong" in, you are allowed to list in more than two categories. I recommend a maximum of 2 submissions at a time, to avoid the appearance of spamming. So pick your two most important categories, submit them, and then wait until you are accepted before submitting another two.

Different services that use the "Open Directory" may list a different set of categories. So do a search for your most important keyword at each of them.

Don't spam them all! Pick the most important and relevant two categories. Leave the rest - if there are other "good fits," save them for later.


STEP 2. Get ready to submit by pulling out your answers, simply prepare answers for the following four points, so that you can copy-and-paste them when the time comes.

1) Site URL -- double-check in your browser! (Do it!)
2) Title of Site
3) Site Description -- important strategy point(Listed Below).
4) Your E-mail Address

See the Open Directory for special instructions if your site fits into one of the following...

o non-english sites
o sites that are purely regional (ex., local car dealer)
o adult sites
o online shopping sites

STEP 3. Go to the Open Directory...

http://www.dmoz.org/

Do a search for your keyword. Click on the most important category that fits. Once you're in the category, click on "Add URL."

You can also do this on Lycos, Netscape, etc. As a matter of fact, if one of your categories only appears on, say, Lycos, it's easier to just submit it from there. Then click on the "Submit a Site" link at the bottom of the page (once you have linked into the relevant category, of course).

No matter where you submit from, it all goes to the Open Directory central database. So don't resubmit to the same category from different services.

STEP 4. Submit the site. It's simpler for you to get preferential treatment! Just enter the info that you prepared above...

1) Site URL -- double-check in your browser!
2) Title of Site
3) Site Description -- important strategy point below.
4) Your E-mail Address

Now repeat for the second most important category that fits.

STEP 5. Expect to be listed in 2-4 weeks. Resubmit and contact the editor of the category (name at bottom of each category) if you have not been listed after 3 weeks. Tell the editor the date that you resubmitted and your original date of submission, the URL of your site and why you feel that your site deserves to be included.

SPECIAL STRATEGY NOTE:- One important tip... If you submit to several different categories, change the keyword in your TITLE so that your customer can find you. It must, of course, still be true to what your site, or at least that page, is all about.

Also... customize your Site DESCRIPTION to fit with the different category. Adjust the content of your DESCRIPTION so that the editor for this category understands why you belong there. And include a more appropriate keyword here too, again so you are more likely to be found.

If you submit to more than two categories, play it safe. Wait until your first two submissions have been accepted before submitting two more. Never submit more than two at a time.

Finally, and most importantly, Act in good faith and add value to their product. That way, everybody wins... Search Service, Customer... ...and YOU! :-)

Source:
Ken Evoy (author of MYSS! - the bible of internet selling).