One of the easiest ways to build one way links back to your site is with Web Directory submissions.  In this post I am just going to discuss free directory submissions.  Paid directories have their place too, but that’s something I’ll discuss later.

There are basically three methods to submit to free web directories.  Those methods are fully automatic, semi automatic, and manual.

Automatic directory submissions should be avoided at all costs.  Why?  Because spam bots and link spammers try to post at many of the sites that have no CAPTCHA.  There is no benefit to being listed on sites that are potentially “bad neighborhoods” filled with spammy links.

Semi automated submissions are nice, but have their limitations.  One of the most widely used semi automated directory submitters is Digixmas.  The free version will let you submit to 150 web directories.  For $15, the paid version will let you submit one URL to 1400 directories.  The Windows based software allows users to randomize titles and descriptions, which is helpful.  But meta keyword/descriptions should be randomized as well as the submitters name.  The main problem with semi automatic directory submissions is that the software will only work for specific directories.  So manual submissions are still required if one wants to get listed in as many directories as possible.

Submitting to directories manually can be time consuming, but gives one more control over the submissions.  Most people that submit to directories manually still use a form filler like Roboform.  Every now and then they change the settings in their form filling software and continue submitting.

When submitting to directories manually, one needs a quality source of free directories.  Yes, we all know of Directory Critic.  Unfortunately the quality of their lists lately leaves little to be desired (dead links, paid directories, etc.).  I suggest trying AddURL.nu (808 listings) and the VMOptions Directory List (1,300 listings).  If needed, use a combination of the two.

There is a myth that submitting to directories too quickly will get your site penalized.  The fact is that most directories take days, and even months, to review submissions.  Besides this delay, it also takes search engines some time to index those new links.  I have never seen a site penalized for submitting to web directories too quickly using semi automatic or manual submission techniques.

When submitting to web directories, make sure that your title contains the keywords you are trying to rank for.  It’s the text of those links (anchor text) that helps the search engines determine which keywords and position you should rank for.  Vary the anchor text and other submission text as well.  This way your listing detail pages will not risk being interpreted as duplicate content.  Since your submissions need to pass a human review, make sure your submission contains accurate information.

There are those that say submitting to free directories is a waste of time.  That is completely false.  I took a client’s site that was ranked position 110 in Google for his primary keyword and moved it to position 19 in one month.  Additionally, improved rankings for his other long/medium tailed keywords improved across the board.  And this success was also evident in Live/MSN and Yahoo.  The ranking report was run just a few days ago, so this analysis is current.

While directory submissions are an easy way to build backlinks, it is only one component of a standard link building campaign.  As you are submitting to directories, don’t overlook the main goal - to create rich and interesting content other Webmasters may link to. 

Tags: Directory Submission Software, Directory Submissions, Free Directory Lists, One Way Backlinks

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm and is filed under Link Building. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.