The must-haves of a niche directory....

[Jamie Lister]

in the hope of creating a truly unique/niche group of directories, I'd like to ask all those who regularly submit to different directories, what you would like to see in directories for your listings.

My objective is to create a very user-friendly directory wtih deep linking which allows the visitor to find a listing locally. ie. if someone wants to find a hotel in The Philippines, they can do that, just as they can find a caterer in Springfield, Oregon, USA too.

My other equally important objective is to make my directories a hit with submitters.

So what must i implement into my directory?
There are many who would like the chance to include html (links) within a longer text.
I am adding articles into each and every category, which will make it more SEO.

What else can you suggest?

~Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[John Scott]

Cleanness is most important for me. I hate to see directories with site-wide footer links to casinos, pharm sites, etc.

I like good clean titles and descriptions.

And no Adsense.

[delstu]

Hi John
been sitting here thinking about this post for 10 minutes

Originally Posted by JohnScott

Cleanness is most important for me. I hate to see directories with site-wide footer links to casinos, pharm sites, etc.

I consider these sites near the same level as spam

I like good clean titles and descriptions.

only way to go

And no Adsense.

this is the one that really puzzles me - why no Adsense?
I see Adsense everywhere - do you think it is being overdone?

I don't plan any directory sites, but what do you feel is the best way to monetize a directory?

[John Scott]

why no Adsense?

Because it usually gets placed above the directory listings, decreasing the odds of the listing getting clicked on.

[cimmeron]

Originally Posted by JohnScott

Because it usually gets placed above the directory listings, decreasing the odds of the listing getting clicked on.

so, the directory should make money only by selling placement in the directory...is that what you're saying? What if you have a free one?

[delstu]

Originally Posted by JohnScott

Because it usually gets placed above the directory listings, decreasing the odds of the listing getting clicked on.

I take this to mean your objection to adsense is the placement of the adsense ads
is that correct?

[John Scott]

Yes, placement.

[Jamie Lister]

AdSense, in a directory or any other site, should never take precedence over a listing or your content.
There's just far too much of that and webmasters must really start being more intelligent about their layout.

But, back to the main question : what else can i offer submitters to make my directory enticing?
I'm at a loss.

I allow visitors to make comments on a link (subject to approval to hold off spam).
They can also rate it.
I've opted to exclude pagerank so as to allow all sites the same chances of being cicked.
I'll be allowing link-details to include html too.

What else?