I find some advice on directories from Webmaster World
Diary from Thurs 4th Oct 2007: Read some directory related threads on Webmaster world - looks like many people have a hard time with these, but it was comforting to read these posts from people further down the road…
One recommendation I will definitely follow is to add companies yourself. (see the thread here: http://www.webmasterworld.com/directories/3404944.htm )
The same person also recommended having at least 100 before launching. Oops. Well I will add some more as soon as this problem is sorted out.
I found another thread there: “Need Tips for Starting a New Directory” (http://www.webmasterworld.com/directories/3348176.htm) which contained this rather bleak post, which I found oddly comforting:
” Tough path is an understatement. Whatever you think you know about directories - including the ease of it all, unlearn it now.
I know of one directory that featured on the BBC TV last year and did quite well media-wise, has now disappeared and haven’t heard a peep out of them since. Like the Million dollar homepage, once the buzz has gone, you are dead in the water my friend, unless you have those ideas flowing - it’s death time.
I jacked my small directory in ages ago, and had I known what actually takes to run and maintain these things, I wish I hadn’t of bothered (and I had healthy cash to work with too).
I’m saying, just be careful, as even with a great idea behind you, - you are doomed without new ideas, tons of traffic and constant advertising. People forget all things new, unless you stick in their minds, and constant media attention is a must - beware this is not cheap.
I’d think about it, because it’s a learning experience from hell, and once you start a directory, you are commiting yourself in a major way, with many pitfalls too many to list I’m afraid!
I’ll say this though -
It’s NOT a game
It can be very EXPENSIVE
The idea needs to be PERFECT
Cost to your personal life cannot be PLANNED outMost importantly though:
1. Nobody will help you (and I don’t mean forums)
2. People will help you but only if you pay them retainers3. You will need a tough skin…….
Chances are you will fold within a few years, usually down to lack of motivation, and time factors.
Just my 2 penny’s worth. ”
Couple of years to go then!
And here’s ‘The Don’ts of Directory Development‘, also from Webmaster World
: http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum17/2309.htm full of excellent advice, although some of it is conflicting, presumably depends on each individual case.
Comments:
Well, I could definitely have benefited from reading this earlier! I don’t think it would have completely put me off, as I had other reasons for developing the directory (namely, learning and practising new technical skills, promoting my website services locally and getting some experience of managing a website - and boy, am I getting that!).
Presumably, if I had used a simpler script, dedicated the site to being a simple link directory only and promoted it with paid listings and adwords I would have had a different experience, perhaps more listings, but more trouble with Google, more expensive advertising, more spam to deal with, and certainly less technical skills learned. (I’ll be testing that out soon on another site though!)
But the main pieces of advice I would have taken from this are to fill it up more before launching (eg with DMOZ data), and to be prepared for the thick skinned / ‘no one will help’ experiences as described above. At times it really can be, as one of them put it ‘a learning experience from hell’ - but what a learning experience! The only way to find out what it’s like is by giving it a try.
View all posts about launching a local web directory.