Where to go after directories?

[Kloans]

Ok so Ive submitted to most of the directories out there about 2k. I have about 500 links or so coming back. Ive been up and running about 2 months. What is my next step...Blogging eeek? Should I purchase links, what is the next progression now.

When I was doing SEO 4 years ago reciprocal links were the way to go. Now days it doesn't seem like any webmasters are interested in it.

How important is it to get on the paid directories if their page rank isn't that high? I already have a lot of links like that which I didn't have to pay for. Of course the big ones with page rank help but do they really help that much?

[G[dot]com]

My personal opinion (guess all replies here to your question must be taken as "opinions" and "approaches", because there is no true-for-all answer to it) is that I would just: wait and do the follow up of what you done so far.

At least for the next 2 months, if it´s just 2 months you are running-

It´s difficult to take any further SEO actions without measurement of already taken actions. So, once you discover how good or flat has been this directories´inclusion action, you may be able to see where to go from there.

What are the results so far? Are they visible already?

A blog is ok if there is something you can blog about. Is it? If so, go, open one.

About paying for inclusion, I wouldn´t do it. If you want to invest some money, I´d go pay-per-click... = Adwords.

Good luck!

[memoc]

You're still missing the big one. DMOZ.

I agree with G[dot]com...go to adwords

[Kloans]

I have submitted to dmoz
Results so far: 160+ link listed on yahoo and depending on the day anywhere from 30-500 on google and pr 3. I am getting a few visitors per day from the search engines and about 30 unique visitors per day.

Im not really selling a specific product as I am not in the mortgage business...so I am just providing tips and help so I don't see how paying for adwords would be a benefit...maybe I'm missing something.

Waiting is ok I guess. But I thought I could be doing something specific.

Thanks for your comments you two.

[deepsand]

Originally Posted by memoc

You're still missing the big one. DMOZ.

Only if your site qualifies for one of the very few categories for which there is still an active editor; otherwise, your submission will probaly never seee the light of day.

Originally Posted by memoc

I agree with G[dot]com...go to adwords

Whether or not AdWords is the best PPC program to use depends on the product/service being offered, the demographics of those interested in such, and the demographics of Google's users.

One should never assume that "bigger" is better; only testing will tell the truth.

[incrediblehelp]

Submitting to directories alone will not get you the back links your looking for. You need to get back links from real websites/blogs. People should be linking to you because you have the best content/products/services out there. Basically links you should be getting are free.

Try looking into social media and link baiting:

Link Baiting and Social Media Optimization, Huh? - Jaan’s Search Marketing and SEO Blog from Cincinnati, Ohio

[Kloans]

Originally Posted by incrediblehelp

Submitting to directories alone will not get you the back links your looking for. You need to get back links from real websites/blogs. People should be linking to you because you have the best content/products/services out there. Basically links you should be getting are free.

Try looking into social media and link baiting:

Link Baiting and Social Media Optimization, Huh? - Jaan’s Search Marketing and SEO Blog from Cincinnati, Ohio

Thanks for the advice. So for blogs do you suggest just commenting on other blogs or writing your own blogs and articles? I will read the site in your link and thank you.

[PaulMycroft]

Hi Kloans,

Firstly, be careful about adding too many inbound links too quickly. You should set yourself a target each month and add them over time. The SEs may become suspicious if too many are added too quickly.

Secondly, always keep in mind WHY you want these links and don't just go crazy with any directory you come across. Are they purely to boost your organic ranking, which will improve your site's natural rankings and hope it converts visitors into sales? Or are they targeted links designed to bring you specific traffic?

As IncedibleHelp suggests, now you need to get those links that are linking because your Web site has good content that is worth linking to. If you have a blog on your Web site, write content that your customers want, write about a blog post somewhere else then let that blogger know you have linked to them. When they link back, your domain name will benefit. Don't go to blogger.com!

Get involved in forums so your signature can become a real link after so many posts. Be helpful to people and be a good community member.

Boosting your IBLs is not jut about paying. If you have a great product, people will link naturally. And if you are a good online community member, people will recognize that.

Hope that helps.

[incrediblehelp]

Originally Posted by Kloans

So for blogs do you suggest just commenting on other blogs or writing your own blogs and articles?

Both of course. The more involved you get into the community your targeting the better.

[ctabuk]

Originally Posted by PaulMycroft

Hi Kloans,

Firstly, be careful about adding too many inbound links too quickly. You should set yourself a target each month and add them over time. The SEs may become suspicious if too many are added too quickly.

Secondly, always keep in mind WHY you want these links and don't just go crazy with any directory you come across. Are they purely to boost your organic ranking, which will improve your site's natural rankings and hope it converts visitors into sales? Or are they targeted links designed to bring you specific traffic?

As IncedibleHelp suggests, now you need to get those links that are linking because your Web site has good content that is worth linking to. If you have a blog on your Web site, write content that your customers want, write about a blog post somewhere else then let that blogger know you have linked to them. When they link back, your domain name will benefit. Don't go to blogger.com!

Get involved in forums so your signature can become a real link after so many posts. Be helpful to people and be a good community member.

Boosting your IBLs is not jut about paying. If you have a great product, people will link naturally. And if you are a good online community member, people will recognize that.

Hope that helps.

Paul that could have easily been written by me -rep points awarded.

When I first read the site was 2 months old and that 2000 Directories had been requested to link to - my initial reaction was -'sandbox here - catch this one'.

6 months ago I set up a new site and did the small, slow and carefully constucted link campaign - Each page linked - correct section of directory - correct landing page and anchor text. Today it is on page one in the top 5 - I added 200 Directories and six months on 11,500 other sites have linked it..
Some are indeed forum posts -but based on html codes that I have built in to the forum post system.

So lets take this to my personal hobby horse - Google Alerts - Placea Google Alert into your e-mail system and everyday 365 days a year - Google will e-mail you topic related blogs and news media stories where you can begin a links campign based on 'relevance' www.google.com/alerts

[Kloans]

Originally Posted by ctabuk

Paul that could have easily been written by me -rep points awarded.

When I first read the site was 2 months old and that 2000 Directories had been requested to link to - my initial reaction was -'sandbox here - catch this one'.

www.google.com/alerts

What is sandbox? I appreciate all the good advice. I think I may have gone about this the wrong way initially but I don't think I have been penalized much maybe by yahoo...but I still show in the results.

[ctabuk]

There are dozens of theories about the elusive sandbox - but it was once described to me by a very good SEO by the name of HHI Golfguy -Shawn explained to me that if you attempt to load a new site from day one with hundreds or thousands of one way links then the spiders will think that you are using blackhat methods by trying to appear older and more established than you really are. So they place the site in the Sin Bin - or as it's better known - the Sandbox

[redspace]

For me I would continue to submit articles. do regular forum posting and blog commenting.

[dharrison]

Originally Posted by redspace

For me I would continue to submit articles. do regular forum posting and blog commenting.

Agreed. But as whats been said here already: try to contribute to the community.

Being a blog owner, there is nothing more infuriating than a long lost of cheerleader posts (eg. great post! good article!) to what is meant to be a debate.

HTH