Over the years, it came into light that one of the best ways to promote a website online is to submit it to a top web directory targeting its niche market for the simple reason that niche web directories not only give you targeted traffic but rather, they are also known to come with the added benefit of helping your website gain valuable backlinks, something which you need if you want to rank rather high with the popular search engines. By definition, a web directory organizes specific websites into categories based on their subject matter. A web directory is typically manned by humans though a select few are known to make use of automated software.

The difference between a free web directory and a paid web directory

As you most probably already know, both paid and free web directories exist. In most cases, people go for the free web directories because obviously, they are more cost effective or so they appear to be as you will come to see soon enough. Paid directories are quicker, more resilient and above all, they are undeniably more effective for internet marketing.

1. Where internet marketing is concerned, we all know time is money. With some of the free directories out there, it can sometimes take up to one week for you to post a single link on the web directory, something that you can’t afford if you want to reach somewhere significant with your online business. A paid web directory, on the other hand, is known to be much quicker. It approves and posts links almost instantaneously. There is no wait whatsoever.
2. It is generally acknowledged that paid directories last longer than the free directories do so if you choose to resort to a free directory, be prepared to lose hundreds of links in one go if and when the web directory decides to pop out. Paid directories are more reliable. Generally, a paid web directory comes with the guarantee that it will maintain your link for as long as you paid for, sometimes even longer.
3. Last but not least, a paid web directory maintains higher standards as compared to the free ones we know of. This is hardly difficult to understand. Free web directories come with no restrictions whatsoever so pretty much anyone can go on there and post links. As such, it only takes a few weeks for a free web directory to transform into a house of spam links and listing your online business on such a platform will prove to be nothing short of a waste of time and resources.

How does a web directory work?

Any person conducting a search via a web directory is shown results in the form of websites organized into either groups or menus and since web directories are essentially put together by humans, they tend to have databases much smaller than those of search engines, something which gives your business a selective advantage over your competitors who only target the search engine results.

Generally, to be included in the listings of a web directory, a website owner will need to submit his or her site to the directory. Many people are not aware of this but web directories have been in existence for very long. They came even before the search engines, the reason why they are one of the most trusted sources available of finding reliable and quality information.

A web directory is a powerful promotional tool and if you own an online business, it is absolutely critical that you consider ranking in a web directory. As is the case with the search engines we know of, the higher a website ranks in a web directory, the more traffic it gets. Don't lose your chance to be counted and suggest your business at one of the top web directories now.