In the past year, we've been diligently optimizing our website for search engines, tweaking meta tags, and resubmitting our site to climb the search engine rankings. However, we've discovered that the majority of our web traffic doesn't come from search engines or from the thousands of Free for All Links (FFA), classifieds, and MLM ads we've submitted to. Instead, the lion's share of our traffic comes from professional directories that cater to our specific field or occupation.
Surprisingly, these specialized directories account for over 90% of our website traffic. When users search for our services on search engines, they often find our site through these directories rather than directly. These directories, which we've listed with for free, already rank highly on search engines and attract the most qualified or interested parties due to their specialization in our field.
Listing your site in the correct directory and category is crucial. For instance, listing a Propecia site (a treatment for balding men) in a women's directory or category would be futile and attract little to no traffic. Conversely, listing in men's directories or categories that cater to a predominantly male audience should draw a significant amount of traffic.
To further boost your directory listing, consider paying the directory owner for banner ads on their main page and under your category. This can highlight your listing and ensure it appears at the top of your category or in relevant searches. Placement is key, as listings that start with the letter "G" or later in the alphabet may go unnoticed if the directory list is long and no additional marketing efforts are made.
To find the right directory for your product or service, type it into a search engine and see which sites rank at the top. If these sites are directories that list your product or service, or are directly related to it, consider listing your site there. If the directory offers a free link or listing, create a professional listing for your site immediately. Once your listing is confirmed, note your position in the listing and your category. If your listing doesn't appear within the first three pages of a directory or search engine, you may need to employ additional marketing efforts to increase your site's visibility.
Start seeking out directories and listings today to drive new traffic to your site. By carefully listing your site in the appropriate categories, you can make your website work for you. Aim to always appear within the first three pages of directories and search engines, and pay close attention to your placement in directories and categorical listers. While search engine placement is important, the quality and interest of the visitors coming to your site through directories are often higher. Remember, failing to advertise and market your website and product/service is like blinking in the dark - you're the only one who knows what you're doing!
