Directory Owners...

[jg_v7n]

Hi,

I have an idea for some mutual cooperation among us directory owners.

Now, clearly we are all essentially after the same business, but then again there is plenty of room in the market for a good number of decent directories. This is mostly because site owners are after as many inbound links as possible, so many site owners submit their sites to many directories.

What I am proposing is of benefit to us and to them. The idea is that we form a group, or network, of directories (we'll give it a name "Directory Owners Network" or something). We'll set a minimum standard or set of requirements to join (say a minimum PR, minimum Alexa raking, a maximum length of time for a site to be reviewed, etc. etc. I dunno yet, we can consider these later, but basically some standards).

Once this is done we'll have a list of decent directories and we can all help each other out. What I'm suggesting initially is that once a site owner has made a submission to our own directory we can recommend one or more from the list of member directories.

So for example, once someone has made a submission to my directory and has been accepted I send an email that says "congratulations etc. etc." as I'm sure many of you do, in that email I would also write something along the lines of "Looking for more quality directory listings? Have you tried: Member directory 1, Member directory 2, etc. etc." Or perhaps I would display the recommendations on the confirmation page after submission?

The only issue I can see initially is that higher traffic directories will get less benefit than the lower traffic directories, as the higher traffic directories would be making more recommendations than they are receiving. Perhaps we would need two or three levels of membership depending on traffic, so that you give and receive recommendations at the same sort of rate?

Who would be interested in such a scheme? And what are anyone else's thoughts about the idea?

James

[Pinyo]

I am interested. Just don't call in a scheme. It's a business partnership proposal.

[jg_v7n]

Yeah sorry, who would be interested in such a business partnership proposal?

[Molly]

nice idea. i know someone who will be interested. Will point him to this thread.

[John Scott]

It's a very good idea, something I've given thought to, but the problem is always going to be that some directories are going to put more in than they get out...

And there are always the politics. A friend recently read me an email they got from another web directory owner, saying badmouthing me and BlueFind. (Some guy from India...)

I kind of like what Wow Directory does - you pay via PayPal and it redirects the submitter to Skaffe. I was thinking, they could pay by PayPal and I'd redirect users to a "Also submit here" page, listing some other directories.

[stoner3221]

No thank you. I’ve built a directory to develop a good and affordable resource for the internet and webmasters, not to develop page rank for webmasters.

[awall19]

I have seen this relationship at biz directory and goguides

yeandi and a couple other directories.

it is rather common

[randfish]

I'm in at www.socengine.com - just tell me where to sign up. Oh yeah, and how about a PR update so all of newer sites can show our newfound clout...

[jg_v7n]

Glad to see that there is some interest, I think that some mutual promotion can only be a good thing, I'll have a think about how best to organise a fair system.

John I like you idea, for an "also submit here" page, perhaps we would word it a little more like "other directories you may like to consider"...

Stoner, sorry I don't quite understand your objection?

Any more interested?

[stoner3221]

Originally Posted by jg_v7n

Glad to see that there is some interest, I think that some mutual promotion can only be a good thing, I'll have a think about how best to organise a fair system.

John I like you idea, for an "also submit here" page, perhaps we would word it a little more like "other directories you may like to consider"...

Stoner, sorry I don't quite understand your objection?

Any more interested?

When you suggest a minimum PR a possible qualification it’s an instant turn off. The new and smaller directory owners need the advice and mentoring of experienced directory owners to develop quality web resources. The goal of any quality directory should be to develop a quality resource, not just a place to charge for back links.

[jg_v7n]

It has nothing to do with backlinks whether paid for or not, simply a network whereby quality directories make mutual recommendations.

The minimum PR requirement (amongst other standard suggestions) was simply a possible suggestion for ensuring that it doesn't end up recommending less beneficial directories to our valued customers.

Directories are of benefit in many ways, so if a customer has submitted a site to mine, why should I not recommend another quality directory to them?

Seems to make sense to me...

[awall19]

Originally Posted by stoner3221

The goal of any quality directory should be to develop a quality resource, not just a place to charge for back links.

many people do not have the same goals as you do Bruce.

some people make profit more of a priority than you care to.

from what I understand you want to run a directory because it is what interests you. perhaps you extremely enjoy it.

most people do not end up doing exactly what they want to do, and in that sense you perhaps see things on a different plane than many others do. it does not make one person right and the other one wrong, we all have slightly different mixes of motives.

every business has to somehow intertwine profitability and quality.

[jg_v7n]

I actually started my directory years ago (spring 2000 ish) just for fun initially, and also just to see if I could do technically. Only recently have I been aware of it's potential to make a little money. So now it's kinda both a hobby and a small earner - which, of course, I would love to turn into a self sustaining profitable business in it's own right.

The point being since I now charge for addition, quality and customer service are up there as number one priorities, this idea was to help gain customers, each of which would receive the best possible service that I could provide for them. So with this goal in mind, as awall says "profitability and quality" have to go hand in hand as I see it...

[MC]

As far as Gimpsy is concerned, we have an open door to co-operation ideas. In fact, we have several 'reciprocal promotion' agreements on the go, and any new ideas are welcome.

MC

[eCommando]

I like that idea also.