How to Get Traffic To Your Website - Increase Your Traffic!

[yugin]

When it comes to getting traffic, one of the best ways to do it is by using directories.
While getting ranked in the search engines is a must, you need directories to reach a targeted group of people interested in your products, services and information. There are all kinds of directories out there; some cover a wide range of topics and some only are looking for specific postings. However, in order to get the best spread of traffic, directories are something that should be part of anyone’s advertising arsenal. Why use directories? Unlike search engines, directories are usually human driven collections of URLs and site descriptions that focus around a central theme. In the larger directories, there can be a lot of different categories, but the concept is the same. You receive more attention in a well-run directory primarily because the person running it is motivated to give it the best attention and quality of posting remains high.
This, in itself, is a plus. In addition, there is much less competition in directories so getting listed near the top of a directory is much easier. Directories, because they have less URLs than a search engine, have very tightly monitored results – at least the well-run ones do. In addition, because there are so many people posting their links to the directory, and in turn, directory links are being placed on individual websites linking back to the directory.
This affords everyone involved the chance to have a link back from a high PR ranked site. This means that if you list in a good number of directories, your page rank will increase over time.Finding directories isn’t hard. There are places where you can find listings of directories like the Big Board of directories and forums.
This listing has tons of places where you can get your site listed. The directories are very easy to navigate, and listing you site is a breeze. Most directories will request a link be placed on your site so that people can find the directory and list their site in it.
There are all kinds of directories to choose from: business-oriented, entertainment, crafts and scrap booking, parenting, Moms-only and the like. Each directory usually has its own set of rules and regulations in order to get your URL and website approved, so you’ll want to read the directions carefully prior to signing up. For the most part, however, the sites are user-friendly, easy to list your site in and are available for no charge or a small fee.While directories have been around for quite a while, many people have chosen to rely upon search engine results only. This is a mistake; although, directories have been out there for a while, they are still one of the best ways for people to find your website. It’s also the best way to get high-ranking links back to your site.
The object is to have people find you and by using various directories that are geared towards your products and services makes it that much easier for people to find you. In the end, it’s all about traffic, and directories certainly do provide their share of that.
www(dot)bestworldpro(dot)com

[rball]

i agree. i own a business directory

[jesterx]

blogs
ppc
articles
diretories
jv's
press releases
SEO
solo ad drops.

[bdunndchi]

Directories are not the powerhouse they were several years ago. Today, you need to pay close attention to what directories you are spending your time trying to get in. 95% of them aren't worth your time. Most of them have no page rank, will get you very little (if any) traffic, and have no seo benefit. If Google deems a directory relatively useless for human visitors, they will nofollow all of the links, even if the site itself boasts to be dofollow. Google isn't interested in a directory that is simply a place for people to throw their links in an attempt to get a backlink. Google can decipher if a directory is aimed towards providing seo benefits or providing quality links for human visitors.

You should, however, focus on the established, powerful directories like DMOZ. These will actually provide with a quality backlink. You also need to be in directories specifically for your niche and directories specifically for your location (if you have a local website). These types of directories actually do get some human traffic.

Bottom line is, it isn't worth your time to try and join directories that will do you no benefit.

[stoneman]

rball,

As a business directory owner, what's your opinion? How to you provide value?

[rball]

how does a directory provide value? thats what i think you are asking. You'll see many businesses that don't have a reinforced online presence will actually not rank higher in google than directories where their business is listed. In this sense, it's important to be listed in directories on two fronts:
1) Increase in online presence - especially important for businesses who conduct major business activities offline, it increases exposure of the business to more customers. For online businesses it will do the same thing on a small scaler although the next point advantages online businesses
2) For new online businesses, generally the main aim to market, market, market to increase the SEO. often by using directories it may appear higher in google than your actual own website. However, in the long-run as the content of your webbsite increases, so will the page ranking as you have increased the back-links to your website. Basically the more back-links you can get to your website, the better. Period.

[stoneman]

So let me see if I understand. If I find a directory that ranks high for my keyword, then getting listed in that directory should increase my rank for that keyword?

[vanessalane]

Optimize your site for search engines.
Frequently update the contents of your site.
Take advantage of social bookmarking sites.
Get links with other sites in your niche.
Use any chance to promote your site for free.
Create a free product or service.
Include your URL in your signature.

[stoneman]

Thanks Vanessa - just out of curiosity, how many of these things do you do to promote your business, and which of them do you find to be most productive?

[heartbreakkid]

Very good post.