Article posted by Edward Lewis, aka pageoneresults™
SEO Consultants Directory System Administrator
Orange, California United States
Over the years I've been involved in quite few topics concerning various directories that appear to have been manually removed and/or penalized by various search engines. From those discussions and my research over those years, I've put together a list of Basic Don'ts when developing a directory. Remember, these are just the basics...
Don't launch prematurely
Sure, it's okay to alert members within a community where you are known to get some initial feedback but, do not make any public announcements until you've really looked things over. And, I do mean look them over. From top to bottom and left to right, make sure you've got it covered.
Don't use an off the shelf directory script
Unless of course you've changed every footprint that the script may leave. Sorry Script Makers, there are too many abusers of your scripts out there and the footprints your users leave are very easy to track, even by the most unsophisticated types. If I were a search quality engineer and noticed these footprints were abusive in nature on a large scale, I'm going to take out your entire user base, no questions asked and no explanations given.
Don't generate a directory based on your entire taxonomy
Sorry all you "my site has over a million pages indexed" types. I've seen what you have indexed and you've made a major mistake in your strategy. Filling the search indices with empty categories is not a valid strategy. You do realize that the search engines will index just about anything first time around, right? That is not what counts. It's what happens after the fact that counts.
Sure, Googlebot will ferociously attack a dynamic directory and index thousands, hundreds of thousands and even millions of pages. Even if those pages are void of any real content. It is unfortunate that this happens, but it is the nature of the beast. You can be assured that if you are filling Google's index, or any SE's index with that many pages, a search quality engineer is going to be on top of things. And you can also be assured that your competitors will be too!
Don't use deprecated markup in your development process
Sorry all of you "it has to be in tables types" or, "you don't need to validate types". These days, if you plan to make an entrance, you need to do it in a way that sets the next level of standards in your chosen space. Keep it simple. You're a directory and that should be your main focus. You are presenting information for the user, present it professionally both visually and semantically.
Don't run AdSense
Sorry Google, but I think this is a mistake for any directory launching these days that is serious about establishing their initial brand in the marketplace. There are plenty of AdSense Directories out there already, no need to continue adding more. Once a directory becomes established, advertising of this nature may be an option, but not at launch or, anytime shortly thereafter.
For those of you running AdSense, don't put it above your directory results. Don't blend the AdSense in with your directory results. Don't trick the user into clicking your AdSense listings. This is becoming common practice with many directories I see occupying the space. Sure, trick your users into clicking your AdSense ads. Eventually this strategy will backfire. Or, maybe it won't. Either way, "I feel it is a short term deceptive strategy and very unprofessional."
Don't buy links
Sorry Link Brokers, but I think this is a mistake too. You, as the directory owner/administrator may want to invest some time in seeking quality link partners and, there may be a monetary investment involved. But, those high quality link partners are going to be your bread and butter as they say. Forget about the numbers! Focus on the quality of the link, not the quantity of links. This is another major mistake I see being made by today's directory promoter.
Don't brag about anything
Sorry all you Egomaniacs, but this is definitely a mistake and one that search engine representatives don't take kindly to. I know how good it feels to reach certain goals and I too like to brag every now and then. But, when it comes to promoting a directory these days, keep your mouth shut. Sorry to be so blunt, but this is a major downfall for many. The search engine representatives do read the forums and blogs. Many SEO's snitch on themselves and then blame it on an algo. In all probability it was a manual ban because they were touting 500,000 or 1,000,000 pages indexed by Google, most of them void of any content other than standard includes.
Don't get involved with rings of any kind
Sorry all of you "friends" out there who decided to develop a network of directories that are basically self-promotional outlets for your products and services and/or those of your friends. This is not about promoting yourselves, this is about providing quality information for your visitors. Wow, what a concept that is huh? One that I see many have forgotten.
Don't expect to get rich overnight
What a flawed concept that is these days, especially when it comes to developing a directory. Sure, some of you guys/gals have made some decent numbers but, it didn't come overnight, did it? It takes dedication, loyalty, devotion, integrity and, a sincere passion for whatever niche you may be targeting.
Last but not least, don't let "them" get you down
If you find yourself involved in discussions concerning your directory, do not, I repeat, do not talk down to your prospective client base. If you as the directory administrator are not adept at discussion in a professional community environment, then don't do it. Have your senior editor or whomever else has the marketing skills required to address any issues about your directory at the public level. Hire someone if you have to.
Don't forget, you are representing your directory, first impressions are lasting impressions. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool. Leave a strong first impression and watch how quickly the word spreads.
1 comment:
cool! thanks for the tips
Post a Comment