For this article, we look at the best high-traffic search engines and directories to submit your Web site, as well as a recommended submission order, and the associated costs of each.
Disclaimer: Due to rapid changes in the search engine environment,
some of this material may be dated.And here we are...Delivered as promised, the final episode to our search engine article trilogy. Last article we looked at the best way to approach a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) project and the importance of a "preliminary online demand check."This time we'll look at the best places (read: high-traffic engines and directories) to submit your Web site, a recommended submission order, and the associated costs.Let's get started...Stop #1:
The Open Directory ProjectCost: FreeImportance: HighValue: ODP shares their directory listings with AlltheWeb, AltaVista, AOL, Google, AskJeeves, TEOMA, Netscape and Hotbot.Stop #2:
Yahoo!Cost: $299 annualImportance: HighValue: Contrary to popular belief, Google and many other crawler-based engines, favor (read: rank higher) sites listed in the Yahoo! directory.Stop #3:
InktomiCost: $39 for one URL, $25 each additional URLImportance: HighValue: Inktomi provides listings to Hotbot, MSN, Excite, Overture, NBCi, and LookSmartStop #4:
FASTCost: $34 for one URL, $16 each additional URLImportance: ModerateValue: FAST provides listings to AlltheWeb, Hotbot, Excite, and LycosStop #5:
Ask JeevesCost: $30 for one URL, $18 each additional URLImportance: ModerateValue: Ask Jeeves shares listings with Teoma and Meta CrawlerStop #6:
AltaVistaCost: Free (for the basic submit)Importance: LowValue: If you could see me, I'm scratching my head as I write this. The verdict is still out on AltaVista's value. (Sorry AltaVista, show me something!) Actually, AltaVista was acquired by Overture this year, who was later purchased by search-company-hungry Yahoo!. That said, maybe Yahoo! will figure out what to do with one of the oldest search engines on the net.Stop #7:
Entire WebCost: FreeImportance: LowValue: Entire Web shares listings with Mamma, iXQuick, WindsekStop #8:
GoogleCost: FreeImportance: Ultra-highValue: Google provides listing to Yahoo!, AOL, Go, iWon, and NetscapeWell, there you have it. Include your Web site in these eight search properties and you'll expose your Web site to over 90% of all Internet searches performance in the United States.As your new traffic rolls in, be sure to cash in on the different ways to increase company revenue with your Web site and improve ROI through conversion rate optimization.
