What is Directory Submission?
Directory submission refers to the practice of submitting your website URL and relevant information to web or online directories for increased visibility.
These directories are websites that categorize and list other websites according to their niche, topic, or industry.
The purpose of directory submission is to increase the visibility of your website, improve search engine rankings, and generate more traffic to your site.
It can be a part of an off-page SEO strategy that helps to create backlinks and improve the overall online presence of your website.
Why are directory submissions important?
Directory submissions are important for several reasons:
Improved visibility
Submitting your website to relevant directories can help improve the visibility of your website online. This can lead to more traffic to your website, which can translate into increased sales or conversions.
Backlinks
Directory submissions can also help you build backlinks to your website. Backlinks are important for SEO as they signal to search engines that other websites consider your content to be valuable.
Increased domain authority
As you build more backlinks to your website through directory submissions, your domain authority can also improve.
This can help improve your search engine rankings and make it easier for people to find your website online.
Brand building
Directory submissions can also help with brand building. By submitting your website to relevant directories, you can increase brand awareness and establish your brand as an authority in your industry.
Types of directory submission
There are several types of directory submissions that you can use to promote your website:
Free directory submission
These are directories that allow you to submit your website URL and information for free.
However, these directories may take longer to approve your submission and may not provide as much value as paid directories.
Paid directory submission
These directories require payment in order to submit your website URL and information. These directories typically have faster approval times and offer more benefits, such as better placement and more exposure.
Reciprocal directory submission
This involves exchanging links with other websites. You add a link to their directory website on your site, and they do the same for you. This can help increase your website's visibility and improve your search engine rankings.
Niche directory submission
These directories are specific to certain industries or niches. They can be a great way to target a specific audience and get more relevant traffic to your website.
Regional directory submission
These directories focus on specific geographic regions. They can be useful for businesses that are targeting a specific local market.
Top directory submission sites
The following are some top directory submission sites that you can use to promote your website:
BOTW - “Best of the Web” is a paid directory that has been around for over 20 years and is considered a trusted source for quality links.
Business.com - Business.com is a paid directory that focuses on business-related websites and can be a great way to target a specific audience.
Yelp - Yelp is a popular directory for local businesses and can help you attract more customers in your area.
Google My Business - This is a free directory that is essential for any local business. By setting up a Google My Business listing, you can improve your visibility in Google search results and attract more local customers.
Process of directory submissions
The process of directory submissions typically involves the following steps:
Choose the directories
First, you need to choose the directories that are most relevant to your business and audience. Look for directories that have a good reputation and a high domain authority.
Prepare your website information
Before you start submitting your website, make sure that you have all the necessary information ready.
This may include your website URL, description, keywords, and contact information.
Submit your website
Once you have your website information ready, you can start submitting your website to the directories.
Depending on the directory, you may need to create an account first and then submit your website through a form.
Wait for approval
After submitting your website, you will need to wait for the directory to review and approve your submission.
This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Track your progress
Once your website is listed in the directories, keep track of your progress. Monitor your website's traffic and search engine rankings to see if the directory submissions are having a positive impact.
What are the best practices regarding directory submission?
The following key points must be kept in mind during directory submissions
Check indexing status
Before submitting your website to a directory, it's important to check if the directory is indexed by search engines.
This ensures that your submission will be crawled and recognized by search engines, which can lead to improved visibility and search rankings.
To check if a directory is indexed, simply search for the directory on Google and see if it appears in the search results.
Use diverse keywords
When submitting to directories, it is important to use a variety of keywords and phrases that are relevant to your website or business.
This helps ensure that your submission is visible to a broader range of potential customers or clients.
In addition, using different keywords can also help diversify your backlink profile, which is beneficial for SEO.
Manual submission is key
While some directories offer automated submission tools, it's often more effective to manually submit your website to directories.
This allows you to carefully review the directory's submission guidelines and ensure that your website is listed in the most appropriate category.
Explore niche directories
In addition to submitting to general directories, it's also beneficial to submit your website to niche directories that are relevant to your industry or niche.
This can help increase the relevance and authority of your backlinks, which can ultimately lead to improved search rankings.
Diversify your link building
While directory submissions can be a helpful part of a comprehensive SEO strategy, it's important not to rely solely on this tactic for backlinking.
In addition to directory submissions, consider other link-building strategies such as guest blogging, content marketing, and outreach to relevant websites.
Follow submission guidelines
Each directory will have its own set of submission guidelines that you should follow to ensure your submission is accepted.
This may include providing specific information about your website, using the correct format for your submission, and following the rules regarding the use of anchor text.
Use diverse anchor text
Using diverse and relevant anchor text can help improve your search rankings and avoid penalties for manipulative link-building.
Consider using variations of your brand name, long-tail keywords, and natural language phrases as anchor text.
Focus on quality over quantity
Submitting to a few high-quality directories can be more effective than submitting to a large number of low-quality directories.
Look for directories with high domain authority, a good reputation, and a strong community of users.
Update your submission regularly
Keep your directory listings up-to-date by regularly checking and updating your information. This can include updating your contact information, adding new products or services, or including new keywords in your description.
Choose high-quality directories
Look for directories that have high domain authority, a good reputation, and a strong community of users.
These directories are more likely to provide value for your website in terms of traffic and backlinks.
Keep track of your submissions
Keep a record of the directories you have submitted to, the date of submission, and the status of your listing. This will help you stay organized and follow up on any rejections or errors.
Monitor your directory listings
After your submission has been accepted, monitor your listing to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date.
This may include updating your information as needed, responding to user comments or reviews, and removing your listing from directories that are no longer relevant or high-quality.
Bad practices regarding directory submissions
The following practices should be avoided during directory submissions:
Submit to irrelevant directories
Submitting your website to irrelevant directories can harm your SEO and waste your time. Make sure you choose directories that are relevant to your business or industry and avoid general directories that are not targeted to your niche.
Use spammy techniques
Using spammy techniques like keyword stuffing, hidden text, or automated submission tools can result in penalties from search engines and harm your SEO. Stick to ethical and legitimate practices when submitting to directories.
Ignore directory guidelines
Failing to follow the guidelines of a directory can result in the rejection or removal of your listing. Make sure you carefully read and follow the guidelines for each directory you submit to.
Submit to low-quality directories
Submitting your business details/website to low-quality directories can harm your SEO and reputation.
Avoid directories with low domain authority, a bad reputation, or a history of spam.
Overuse exact match anchor text
Using too much exact match anchor text (i.e. using the exact same keyword phrase as the anchor text for all your directory submissions) can be seen as manipulative by search engines and harm your SEO. Use diverse and natural anchor text instead.
Ignoring submission guidelines
Each directory will have its own set of submission guidelines that you should follow to ensure your submission is accepted. Ignoring these guidelines can result in your submission being rejected or removed.
Using automated submission tools
Using automated submission tools can result in your website being submitted to low-quality directories and can harm your SEO.
Instead, manually submit your website to high-quality directories that are relevant to your business or industry.
Using the same description for every submission
Using the same description for every submission can be seen as duplicate content and harm your SEO.
Instead, create unique descriptions for each directory submission that accurately represent your website and its content.
Conclusion
Directory submissions can still be a useful strategy for improving website visibility and building backlinks, but they should be approached with caution.
It is important to select high-quality directories that are relevant to your niche and to ensure that your website information is accurate and up-to-date.