Creating a Successful Directory

Step One – Deciding The Niche:

First of all before creating a directory … I suggest using only a specific niche (not a general directory), it is easier o build a niched directory and success is more repaying as well as it’s easier when it comes to advertising. it’s not a problem to have a general directory.

Step 2 - Understand the Script , Creating Pages:
After deciding the niche, bought the domain, then tried to see all the script has to offer, understand all he codes etc. Then created all the inner text pages like : about us, contact us …
When it comes to writing the pages it is most important to use the basic marketing rules : Short, Convincing , more images, simple. One of the best improvement which is related to the scripting was (AND I SUGGEST YOU) to DELETE the Place BID Details like : Adress, street, country ; don’t scare people away.
When it comes to categories … try not making a hell out of the long lists of categories (which is why I recommend niched directories). Make basic categories, more subcategories so the general rule : less text, more images would be respected, otherwise the visitors get bored and leave.

Step 3 – The Design:

I made the design myself … basic html, css and photoshop. A custom design ads some originality to the site. Improving the arrangement,which the bidder counts on, is one of the most important in directories, as all bidders look for the same thing – EXPOSURE. The higher exposure…the more the bidder pays.
Second of all … Don’t .. Remember Don’t EXAGGERATE With Ads. Ads make directories look CHEAP and Unsecured.
Design counts for Google PR. The better arrangement, the easier can people navigate your website, the higher PR you get.
If your not interested in learning html…. get a designer at digital point forums.

Step 4 - SEO Improvement:

The keywords of categories and pages are important when it comes to seo and indexed pages in search engines. The better keys you’ve got, the higher will you appear under some searches. Use google adwords for checking keyword rankings.

Step 5 – Advertising and PageRank:

Seo is important for PR.
I know seo pretty good and can say that best seo is content and regular updates. That’s the worst part when it comes to directories as their not based on content and updates are not too often. The ONLY Solution for getting a pr remaining is getting at most backlinks as you can. Make link exchanges.
Advertise offers on forums. Make original banner ads etc. (do them myself)

The maximum PR of infogamerz was 2. Didn’t have too many backs but was enough. I sold it for 90$ as it got pr banned when I listed it lol .
After sale there was an update, PR increased back to 2, Alexa divided twice … lol .
Never publish advertising on forums with the links to the website – PR BAN USUALLY .