There are hundreds, maybe thousands of free directories on the internet, and you can use them to easily market your site – for free.
Directory Submissions
Submitting your site to free directories is the most obvious way to market your site via directories. Of course, there are several rules you should follow when submitting your site, if you want it to be accepted. Here are the most common site requirements:
1: Quality site. Meaning no adsense, porn, hate, or scraper sites allowed. Unique content is a must.
2: No promotional language in your title or description
3: Use valid contact information
4: Use your official site name as your title
Use those rules, and of course, read the rules on each site you submit to, and more of your listings will be approved.
Are paid submissions worth it?
With the exception of perhaps Yahoo, I do not believe so. The increase in link quality is just not worth the expense, in my opinion.
Directory Marketing by owning your own directory
There are several free scripts available that allow you to run your own internet directory. The most common script is PHP Link Directory. It allows you to very easily run your own directory – submissions, approvals, payments, etc are all easily done with just a click of a button. What’s more – it’s free!
Of course, one must ask what advantage owning a directory will give you. Probably the two biggest benefits are:
Income
You can monetize your directory with pay per click listings (try SearchFeed.com’s XML Feed) and paid directory listings.
Reciprocal Links
You can offer webmasters preferred links in your directory in return for a link to your main website – voila! You have one way links for free!
Free directories are a great way to market your site. Of course, they are only one part of a balanced marketing plan, but you can’t beat the price, that’s for sure!