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February 7th, 2010
There are millions of websites on the Internet. Oftentimes, if you are looking for a particular website that offers a particular product or service, you may not be able to locate it. If you use search engines, you will receive many results that don’t meet the criteria you were looking for. However, if you search a business web directory, you will be able to click on the category you need to get the company you need.
There are many different categories printed in these directories. They include education, business, health, marketing, employment and much more. Once a visitor has clicked on the category they need, they will see a listing of companies in that category. Usually there is a summary of what the company offers recorded under its business name. After reading the summary, the visitor can make the decision to click on the website’s name or continue to read the summaries of other companies.
There is no charge to use a business web directory.
Individuals and businesses are free to use the service as often as necessary. The service can be used twenty-four hours a day. People don’t have to go through the task of flipping pages in the yellow pages. They simply click their way through the websites leaving behind those they don’t want to visit.
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January 27th, 2010
Knowledge of what it takes to set up a good web site and obtain a high search engine ranking on Google is a critical to your success. While using backlinks from business web directories are just one element of your search engine rank, it’s still an important one and one that is easy to begin working.

There are two main goals in using business web directories. First and foremost, these business web directories help you obtain visitors who are interested in buying your product or service. More often than not, these types of visitors have some idea of what you will offer them and are called “qualified” because you have something they want. Secondly, backlinks from business web directories help to improve your search engine rank on Google. Good backlinks that originate from a high page rank (called “PR”) site will cause your rank to go up as well. Typically, the higher the page rank, the more popular and credible the site is considered to be.
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January 27th, 2010
A Global Yellow-Pages Ad That You Can Edit
Perhaps the greatest lesson the business world has to offer is that it isn’t the steak that sells – it’s the sizzle. All marketing and advertising ventures are just the sizzle, and many business owners can explain the frustration at not selling the best steak in town. The solution is and has always been good advertising, but the world of advertisement can easily be seen as an arms race. When one group gets a sign, another adds lights to theirs. The business across town takes out a newspaper ad, and their competitor buys time on a radio station. This has pushed advertising and marketing into the realm of the internet: all companies these days must have a web-page to survive. However, in order to get the most out of every advertising dollar, companies should also join a business web directory.
What is a business web directory?
A business web directory is like the yellow pages for the internet. Companies can register their domain names with some open directories, which allow search engines to “find” the website, but a good business web directory will have a limited scope based on what a customer may be looking for. There are shopping directories, service directories, local and national directories, entertainment directors and more for use. Search engines often display these directories early in their responses, given their amount of traffic and optimization tools, giving associated businesses quicker access to their customers.
 What is a business web directory?
A great side effect of joining a business web directory is that it gives a chance to link to and communicate with organizations that can benefit from partnership. While one business gets the sizzle of its steak to a wider audience, another gets the fizz of its drinks ready across the street. It isn’t just good luck, it’s good business, as now companies within a business web directory can link to each other from their individual websites. After registering with a business web directory, avenues can be opened for links and advertisements in more than just one domain.
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January 19th, 2010
Blog marketing was around since 2007 and had it’s own glorious days. I’ve been in the Internet advertising industry since 2002 and I kinda saw how things evolved. Now, blog advertising was a nice concept: bloggers write about advertiser’s product. Now, we all know that this was so… tricky since someone had the “brilliant” idea to include do-follow links in those posts.
So, quickly we saw an explosion of “blogs”, mainly from India, Indonesia, Malayesia. Main purpose? Money. No one cared about the quality or niche of those blogs. Of course that blog marketing still works because as long as there are people who pay, there will be people who’ll work.
Then Google came on stage and started to penalize blogs who were writing for money. At that point the blog advertisind industry suffered a huge popularity decrease.
Still, these days there are still many who consider blog marketing as one of their main tools in their search engine optimization process.
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January 2nd, 2010
For those who use Google to boost their websites and companies, Google’s Page Rank system is something that is not unheard of. Google uses a series of statistics that rank different web sites. Although most know of it, very few understand the system. Page Rank was created by Larry Page, and Google uses it to assign a numerical weighting to each website. In other words, Google uses Page Rank to ultimately figure out the importance of each and every website in the world wide web.
The Page Rank system is quite simply a math equation, and when coming down to it, it is a simple algorithm. If this is the case, it is quite hard to understand why only those who are experienced in search engine optimization are the only ones to understand the system. The key to getting your page at the top, is simply figuring out the system.
Page Rank works by using a series of votes. When a page receives a certain amount of votes, they can work their way up the system. However, the votes count more if the vote comes from a page that is important and ranking high themselves. A vote is considered a simple hyperlink that is on another website. This, in essence, is probably why so many sites offer advertisement on their page, and it is probably the same reason why so many sites have their own banners that you can use to post on other sites.
In an odd way, Google’s Page Rank is not unlike politics, because it is all based on vote, and who has the better person voting for them. Technically, this is not the only thing that describes the Page Rank system. There are a series of equations that determine the votes, add them up, and obtains the end result. This is not the only factor that affects the determination of Google’s Page Rank.
Other things, such as the number of people that visit the site and the key word density also affect it.
Assuming that there are only four different websites in the Internet, then each site would start with a ranking of .25. The process of Google’s Page Link involves votes, or linking. If three of the sites link to one of the sites, that one site would have a value of .75.
This is simple enough, right? Remembering that the vote of each is also valued by how it is voted, as well, the equation changes a little bit. It is no longer A= B+C+D.
If each of these sites also link to one another, the outcome is a little different. The value of the votes are divided by the number of links that each site has on other sites. For example, suppose B has links to pages A and D, and C has links to all three pages. The formula would then be A= B/2 + C/3 + D/1. The page A would have a value of .375. Even though this seems simple enough, there is still the damping factor that is involved with the Page Rank system.
The damping factor has the theory that someone web surfing will stop clicking on links. This means that the damping factor is subtracted from one, and then divided again into the sum of the value. The damping factor is generally set to .85, and when subtracted, the equation will look like A= 1-.85/4 + .85(B/2 + C/3 + D/1). In some cases, the damping factor is divided by the number of documents. In this case, the value will be .338. The damping factor is meant to bring down the value, because, as mentioned, eventually someone will stop clicking. The problem with the damping factor, however, is the fact that the more websites there are, the lower the ranking drops for most of the sites.
There is so much more that factors in to Google’s Page Rank system. It is almost as endless as the web itself, with more and more equations to go along with it as the web changes. The previous equations are pretty simple, and it can give you at least a tiny idea about how Google’s Page Rank system works. It all depends on votes, or links. Essentially, each page helps out the other. Other factors may lessen the value or make it greater, but essentially, the page value is an easy thing to figure out. All you need to know is a little algebra.
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January 2nd, 2010
Web directories offer a world of value to web marketing when done correctly. The biggest misconception with small business owners launching a website is that they believe that their superior products, services, and knowhow will propel them to higher internet rankings and this is not the case.
Traditionally to have a website be shown in an internet directory you must first apply to be reviewed. After this request is processed the website will be put on a waiting list to be processed. When the website is queued pieces of software called robots will scour the websites coding looking for ways to rate it and to decide what key words and other information should be used to rank its relevancy to search terms. Based on this relevancy your ranking will be considered and most websites will offer an option to pay for a higher ranking.
There are two types of directories to choose from when registering, though the best option is to register with as many directories as possible to increase your cross linking score, the number of websites that post active links to your website, resulting in a higher overall rank. The first option is a free web directory. Of course every ones ears perked up at the sound of free, but, especially with web directories, you get what you pay for and free will not buy much.
These directories usually receive hundreds of requests for reviews a day with many sites being put on a waiting list of thousands. These sites are also usually sparsely funded so corners are sometimes cut to improve their efficiency and even though humans may be reviewing the info that robots bring back, mistakes will be made and reviews can inaccurate or incomplete. That is the last thing that a new site wants, which brings us to the more responsible of our options, if real results are.
Why does a web directory charge a review fee? A paid directory will offer you paid-for services. These sites will charge a review fee for listing consideration and will provide speedy service to have your site on the directory as soon as possible with an accurate review and rank. Payment is for more than just speed of process though. There are added benefits with a smaller group of submissions daily in the fact that spam sites rarely if ever get through to paid directories.
So your website will not be listed directly next to spam websites.
These web directories are considered much more reliable and are more trusted by most of the population so these will provide the most relevant (paying customer) traffic. The more popular the web directory the more you can expect to pay for submission. The economy recently has caused small business owners to be more wary of how and where money, especially soft costs like advertising, is spent instead trying to keep more assets liquid. Processing a site through a web directory will definitely provide the most bang for your buck especially if the desire is to bring in more mail orders or orders from those not in the geographic region.
All web directories are supposed to have humans that review the sites for accuracy and relevance as well as the robots automated scan, but there are many ways to utilize search engine optimization to achieve higher search results and relevancy. Creating a content rich site will help robots to raise your relevancy results. One way of doing this simply is to write and host an article directory that has useful articles for your visitors that also keys words that will be used to find your site on a search engine. This will augment your traffic significantly if you whole heartedly try to present information that will truly capture your audience.
Another way for robots to decide ranking is the length of time a visitor stays on any one page. An article takes longer to read and will keep visitors on your site longer. A graphic website may look more streamlined but you are missing out on a variety of opportunities to increase directory ranking. Remember that results are reevaluated weekly so staying on top is a constant struggle and you can ensure that your competitors will not be slacking off. Stay informed about your ranking and constantly fine tune it to refresh its ranking and your site will crawl up the ranking ladder.
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September 18th, 2009
Many people who are internet savvy and know a lot of different marketing strategies to promote their website and drive more traffic towards their websites. These techniques are used to increase sales and profits, but internet business owners or internet marketers are not the only ones who use these valuable internet searching tools. Even regular people like you and me use these tools in more ways then one. It is a way for people to not only find products and services they need in a well organized system, but it also helps the business owner increase sales and popularity throughout the internet world. That is why Google PageRank and web directories make such interesting topics to talk about.
For instance, let’s say that you are trying to search for a bank to find a loan for a car. Often times people turn to the computer and internet for researching specific services that they are either thinking about receiving or buying. This is because it is not only a lot faster then looking locating one in the phone book or by other means. But you can also find out even more information related to the company you are interested in receiving goods or services from. Usually the best way to find this information is logging onto your computer and searching the internet.
What happens next is depending on what words or phrase you type into the computer the internet pulls up websites with high rankings first. These of course are filtered through Google. The sites have previously been ranked by editor volunteers at Google who then use their Page rank mastery skills among others and give the site a certain ranking according to it’s importance.
Many people have learned way to manipulate this system by incorporating specific keywords that are known to be searched by many people. There are even some people who invest money to pay for Google adwords in order to have their websites linked to articles that have these specified keywords.
Internet marketers who know this trick pay people to compose articles using specific keywords to direct traffic to their websites. This is actually a very cunning plan and many people swear by it.
In the beginning of this technique people who discovered this began using keyword rich articles. Google being one step ahead caught on to this method and counteracted this technique by incorporating a system to place these article at the end of the lists. Therefore, using this technique actually hindered peoples Google PageRank and web directories status.
With enough time people began also catching on and discovering that keywords should only be used a few times within the text of the article in order to be picked up successfully be the search engines. And that is how the process of using keywords as an effective method for directing traffic to your website developed.
Another great example of how Google PageRank and Web directories work is let’s say you are starting your own online business. You know you have a product that will basically sell itself, but you have no idea how to get people to your website. Just like many years ago where you would see ads in newspapers and on television the same philosophy applies to the internet, just in a slightly different way.
Being the business owner my plan would be to devise a way to market my store or the products I am selling. In order to accomplish this I do some research and find out new techniques that people are using that have seen favorable results. This most likely is the incorporation of using keyword articles that affect Google PageRank and Web directories status.
Don’t get me wrong, it does take time. It isn’t like you could open an online business and expect your business to be on the first page of results when someone searches products that you sell. It can sometimes take up to a year or two before Google begins seeing your website or services as being an invaluable investment to others.
So there you have it the basics of keywords and their importance of Google PageRank and Web directories and how they can direct more traffic to your website. By incorporating this technique many people have seen their profits increase as well as their popularity sour. Hopefully you will also have the same desirable results.
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August 12th, 2009
Little words can perform wonders and make a huge difference in your sales and subsequently your profit margin. Because of this, you must find every way possible, of maximizing the impacts that your marketing materials have with your prospects. The key to running a successful business web directory is to create very high impact and a perception of good value to your customers.
There are three main things to do that will send you to the margins of profits that you have always dreamed of, when you manage and run a business web directory. These are:
• Attract the attention of your prospects
• Find a means of getting customers to buy your products/ services
• As much as you can, get the customers to use more and more of your products/ services
These can be achieved using just the little words. For instance, the word “All” can change any statement into a very powerful impact, telling customers that each and every one of the items you are selling is at the lowest available price and that you are offering everything that the customer needs.
For example, if you place an advert like, “16” wall fans on sale for only $200 – reg. $400; although it could be a terrific price, the wording of the ad may give an impression that only one of the fans is available for sale at this price. The ad can be made more exciting and more attention grabbing and more effective if it says: “ALL 16”wall fans on sale for only $200 – reg. $400.”
The fans could be of different models, with different values, but this ad will bring a swarm of business and that’s what matters! The other little words which make a big impact include: only, now, special easy, buy and many others.
However, the three most powerful words in marketing are:
1. Free – every person wants a free thing. Although you are not going to give away your products and services and stay in business, you can plan to offer the customers something small when they make the purchases. Something like free delivery, and possibly a free extended warranty. The most important thing to note is that you only give free products/services if doing that creates the sales at the profit you want
2. Sale –over 90% of purchases are made when it goes on sale.
3. Guarantee –no one wants to buy anything without a guarantee. Because few sellers use their guarantee as a benefit point of selling, it is an area one can cash on in. Wording is therefore such an important tool in the running of a business web directory in a profitable way.
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August 3rd, 2009
Web directories are one of the few things that are completely hand organized in an automated computer driven internet. Web directories will take one of several forms. They may be directories of specific types of sites, such as a business web directory of a specific area, or as in the case of DMoz, a web web directory that seeks to be far more inclusive.
A web directory, to be more specific, is a catalog of sites that isn’t done by software, but rather is viewed, cataloged and maintained by human hands.They are put together and maintained by people, who view the site, determine what its worth and whether it is suitable for inclusion in the web directory, then adds or removes it as they believe is fitting.
In most cases, web directories are a great deal smaller and less inclusive than the typical search engine since they aren’t spidered automatically but rather are viewed and put into the directory by people.
Web directories also tend to be subject driven. Your site can be included in the web directory in two different ways. You can submit your site to be reviewed by the people responsible for site addition, or one of the multiple editors of the web directory will come across your site, by being referred to it or, accidentally when surfing the internet for their own purposes.
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July 18th, 2009
If you have made the decision to use a web directory to promote your business, you have made a smart choice. Directories are growing and becoming increasingly effective in driving targeted traffic to websites. However, web directories are not created equal. That is, some web directories have more to offer online marketers and business owners than others.
You may already know that a good web directory can get you more visitors that translate into customers than some search engines. Bad web directories can leave your site off in la-la land — languishing and lonely. Distinguishing between the two will take some investigation on your part. Following are some tips for helping you distinguish good web directories from bad ones.
Five Criteria for Distinguishing Between a Good and Bad Web Directory
- 1A good web directory does not accept every site submission. Instead, all submitted sites are examined and listed only when quality and ethical guidelines are met. A bad web directory lists less discriminately and may even list every site submission automatically. You should always test prospective directories by searching through websites they have listed.
- A good web directory is organized in a way that makes sense to online users. Websites are listed under proper categories and those may even be broken into subcategories. A bad web directory may be a hodge-podge of listings and resemble a junk drawer more than anything else. Depending on your particular category, you may wish to choose a directory with a narrower focus.
- A good web directory has a good search tool. Careful attention is paid to topics and search phrases and when visitors enter keywords, they are rewarded with results. We have all used search tools that could not seem to find the information or product we wanted when we knew the information was there somewhere. It simply was not findable. Such issues are a sign of a bad web directory.
- A good web directory has quality content of its own and uses proper spelling and grammar. An excellent web directory may even offer searches in other languages. When it comes to doing business on the internet, communication is integral. Good directories communicate well. A bad web directory pays little attention to grammatical rules and language and can cause visitors to run long before finding your website.
- A good web directory has been around for a while. Almost anyone can own their own web directory. The hard part comes in with managing, optimizing and marketing the directory. Generally, if you are paying for your site to be listed, you will want to use an established directory and forego the new ones. While new is not necessarily bad, the amount paid should be equal to the online presence presented.
Established directories will get more traffic. However, if the other criteria are met, submitting to a newer directory with lower pricing may be well worth your time and money.
Expect to spend quite a lot of time and energy sifting through web directories and making a list of the ones you feel will best promote your business. Finding the good ones may take some extra time but that time will make a huge difference in whether or not your business succeeds. Good web directories have the ability to take your online business further than you have ever dreamed.
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