Free Business Directory Woes

[mysunsite]

Dear Forum,

I've recently launched my site, mySunSite.com. I'm looking for:

a) your constructive criticism to help me make it better
b) any suggestions or promotional ideas to give it a good "jumpstart"
c) your thoughts as to why my free business directory isn't doing so well.

Regarding item C -
I've had over 100 targeted visitors (adwords) look at this page, and for some reason they aren't interested in obtaining a free directory listing in exchange for a reciprocal link.

Any ideas why? Personally, I enjoy good directories - they're a great chance for increased visibility.



While my free directory is primarily targeted at the tourism/travel industry, I do have a section for WWW based businesses - anything and everything non-travel related can be placed here, I'm surprised that not even those pesky MLM or "cheap meds" people have tried to post anything.

Thanks and Best Regards,
If you have any ideas on how I can fix people's tepid response to the free directory, it would be much appreciated.

[orion_joel]

I am going to go at a very uneducated guess here, but it could be the link back requirement. That is the only thing that i can see that would make it more difficult then another simialr tyoe of directory for the same topic. Again i am just guessing but most of the people that are probably looking to list there information for free may not be the same person who works on there website. So to have a listing with you requires them to get there designer on the phone or to come down work out the best spot for the link and then put it there, so the free listing is turning out to cost them time with there web designer.


The other thing that i would imagine would turn people off is the fact that there is no listings there yet you stat that you recieve a lot of listing requests. They are likly to look at this in a few different ways either they will so "this guy is slack and doesnt put the listings up" or "the guidelines are to strict and no one is accepted" or even "why bother there is no other listings here why should i bother putting mine here". Ok so some of thema re a bit harsh but i would be thinking along those lines if i was looking.

I would start by looking at the web catagory go and find some great sites you think should be in your business directory and place a free link in your directory dont ask them for a link back place the listing and email them telling them you have given the a free no obligation listing. If possible try and do this for each catagory so
1 - you have somthing in each catagory.
2 - others should follow once there is somthing there.

I would still consider removing the requirement for the linkback though. If you have a good business directory people will find it and you can make money or get link backs other ways.

[keilo]

Without seeing your adword ad this is only a guess but...

Apart from the internet marketing forums most people who use the internet either don't have or don't control their home web sites. To get link exchanges you need to target the webmasters. You will probably need a completely different adword to do that.

While certainly heavy work a proven process to generate high quality links is:

1. manually search the internet for related or complementary sites
2. looking at their page rank and relevance to your site
3. hunting out the email address of the webmaster for sites that you like
4. then sending a personal email asking for the link

There is plenty of software available on the internet to do this for you. Most notably Zeus and Arelis. My experience is that you are just as well doing it for yourself.

There is growing speculation that Google might take action against sites with inappropriate links too. The manual process tends to guarantee high quality, themed links.

[kellymccausey]

I don't pursue links on unrelated websites and I have an old fashioned preference for links that end up on .html pages. Something I imagine I'll have to get over eventually.

[wholesalewhere]

The directory also need backlink to boost up the Pagerank. mysunsite doesn't want to give hard time to us. The reason why you submit the website is same as mysunsite offer the submission. It's a fair trade. I don't know why you guy complainting.

[Peter T Davis]

I would submit some sites to your directory if it gets some serious PageRank (5+) and when you make it more search engine friendly.

[Andrew2]

Yep, recently launched = no Google PR showing.

no Google PR showing means people don't find it worth their time to get a link from you right now. Just get links like Peter said, and when the next Google Toolbar PR update occurs in a matter of a few weeks or months. You'll be in better shape, and get more participation.

Your directory does provide direct (not scripted) outbound links, doesn't it?

[nsusa]

You should start filling the directory with a few links yourself. I would not insist on return links though. It'll keep people away. Rather think of why is your directory different and why should someone register? Create immediate value.

Christoph

[bidmonkey]

wow..it ask a lot of detail to submit a link. can this be simple..people may not want to give out too many info for just exchange link without too much traffic..just a though

[Jade456]

A few outgoing links to good authority sites certainly won't hurt you either.