Tips for Link-Building Directory Submissions

A successful search engine optimisation strategy needs to incorporate an effective link-building campaign. Within this, there are many advantages to directory submissions, the main one being that they produce one-way links to your site. They can also produce some visits to your site, but this isn’t the primary reason for submitting your site to the directories.

Specialised business directories are particularly significant, as when implemented into the correct categories, the links that they provide are high in relevancy, which is what Google likes as part of its ranking criteria. Relevant links from other high profile directories such as DMOZ can improve a site’s ranking because it is recognised as a reputable source which is well connected, although it remains very difficult to get a listing here!

The following are some tips to maximise the potential of a link-building campaign:

• Decide which directories to submit to before the process begins. There are lists available that point you in the right direction, but like the directories themselves, these need to be selected carefully to ensure relevancy and successful results from submissions.
• Keep organised. This includes making a detailed list of all the directories that have been submitted to. This prevents duplication and time wasting. The cost and login details of each directory can be recorded for future reference, as well as the time taken to submit to them and the results produced. Through this record keeping, a database of good directories can be compiled over time.
• Select the correct categories for the listings. Relevancy is key, so ensure that the link to your site is only placed in the most relevant category. This is not only beneficial for the results, but also to ensure that the directory’s webmaster doesn’t fast-track your submission to the bin, if it’s carelessly submitted. The hierarchy of the category is also important, as those nearer the top level of the site produce the greater link value back to your site.
• Choose the correct title for your submission. This is important because it will become the link back to your site and so including relevant keywords within it will produce the best results. This title should then be varied between directories, so that search engines don’t penalise the links for being too repetitive.
• Ensure the description is keyword relevant. Although the title is more important than the description, it’s also important to include relevant keywords within it, as they help to determine the relevance of the link. The description should also not be too repetitive across directories, so short and long variations should be included. Excessive use of punctuation, capitalisation or sales pitches should be avoided as this can lead to the rejection of your submission.
• Finally, perform the directory submissions over random periods of time. This shows search engines that the link building is natural and not artificially created (which can result in abnormally large increases in the amount of links to a site and set off virtual alarm bells within the search engines). The more natural, relevant and well placed the links are submitted within the well respected directories, the better the results will be.

If you’d like your website’s rankings to benefit from a professional link-building campaign, please contact us now for more information.

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