Is directory submission worth the trouble? When Google started penalizing websites for bad content and improper link profiles there were many that stopped link building with web directories. This was due to the confusion that this created as to what are good and bad practices.
Directory submissions help you submit links that point to your website. This can be done manually or you can use a submission service to do so. However one of the things that you need to remember is that these automated submissions do not guarantee that they are submitted in the correct categories. They also do not determine a good quality link directory.
If you opt for cheap SEO services that promise to make submissions in bulk they may not be linking to quality directories and this can result in a bad link profile. If the link building process is done in the right way they can still be a good practice and this can help attract targeted traffic to the site.
Tips to identify quality website directory
Quality of website – All that you need to do is to look at the website to determine its quality. If the site is poorly designed and not appealing to the eye, you can go with your first impression and avoid it.
Check if directory is listed – Do not judge all directories just on their looks and it is best to see if it is listed. If it is not listed, it may not be able to drive traffic to your website and this can be avoided. Check to see for listing on the web and if it does not show any results, it may be banned.
Apart from this if you are not able to see the website on the first page of the search; it means that it is penalized. Even when the site is penalized it remains indexed. Avoid linking to a site that has been penalized.
Relevant links – They are ranked highly by search engines. Irrespective of whether it is a niche or general directory they also have categories that are based on various professions or industries. One of the simple ways to identify good quality website directory is that they have a list of industry based categories.
Updated often – Directories that are updated often are considered good quality. If the web page has not been updated for a long time, it may not be a quality website. Look at the date when it has been last updated. If you see an old date, it is an indication that it is not updated.
Reviewed and edited – Editors of good quality directories review and edit the submissions at regular intervals. Avoid sites that do not have editors and reviewers scanning it regularly.
It is always best to submit to directories that have been recognized as good quality. Ensure that the sites fulfill the criteria that have been specified above and if they fail to do so, they are best left alone. Focus on good directories so that you are able to attract traffic to your site.