how to make money from directory since everyone accept FREE?

[ms4u]

Hi,

How exactly does directories make money by accepting FREE listing? or does they (webmaster) all do it just for fun or hobby?

I started to charge for my directory for listing, but there is low volume of submission. How should I tackle it? What am I missing for accepting free submission option?

 

[wendallb]

I have free listings but I charge for a featured listing and also sell some advertising..If you only have a paid directory you will have low submissions...

 

[linkdor]

You cannot only have paid submissions, unless your directory has a very strong reputation. Featured/paid listings must provide users with more valuable features, it's like on real life, nobody will ever pay if he doesn't get a good or service back.

 

[mohab]

You cannot only have paid submissions, unless your directory has a very strong reputation. Featured/paid listings must provide users with more valuable features, it's like on real life, nobody will ever pay if he doesn't get a good or service back.

I agree..

You also need to look around for scripts.. etc

PM me if you still need help

 

[dezinerite]

I have about 10 free web directories, and 9 of them are quite new (less than a year). The reason I decided to have 9 more is because I only had 1 for a year and it has already paid for its renewal and hosting (and a few more).

If you're starting out, the directories should accept free submissions. That's the only way you'll get links in them. While you're accepting free links, enable both featured (paid) and reciprocal options. You're bound to get some people choosing these options. Promote your directory as much as possible, and when you've gained in both traffic and PR that's when you can start earning a lot more.

Some people start unranked web directories and offer only paid listings even if their directories are not even indexed by Google. I personally think that's just a little crazy, and people paying for submissions into these directories aren't really paying for anything.

 

[YooHee]

on their paid listing.....

maybe some other still avail paid listing so that within 24 hrs.... your site is indexed

 

[ms4u]

Thanks guys. Good advice given.

I have now decided to change all my business directory (teotrad.com and searchukbusiness.com) to free except featured listing.

 

[highlander]

Normally i dont advise on general directories, as so few will make it and be gone within 2 years or left to rot - so the sites that did submit, won't get anything out of it. But will give some general advice, so listen up:

Any resource, any, must build itself (fill itself with websites/info) or experience these problems:

• visitors won't stick around eg: nothing to search
• sites within the resource won't get traffic (no visitors)
• the directory won't make money eg: non webmaster sites won't submit to an empty directory.

zero traffic means the site can't attract advertisers - no advertisers means no revenue and from then on it's down hill.

I'd build the resource first to get the searchers, then wait until you have at least 50k of visitors per month, then you can sell that to the advertisers and as submitters see the site grow, they will get more confident about adding their sites.

But as general directories are mostly made up of pagerank chasers, adsense earners, webmasters directories, they will never be that amazing.

Nobody likes an empty website, it puts people off.

 

[kpr]

I run a free directory but also offer paid listings. Directories are low cost to run which helps once it gains reputation ppl will pay for featured listing. That and adsense help.

 

[arora]

Normally i dont advise on general directories, as so few will make it and be gone within 2 years or left to rot - so the sites that did submit, won't get anything out of it. But will give some general advice, so listen up:

Any resource, any, must build itself (fill itself with websites/info) or experience these problems:

• visitors won't stick around eg: nothing to search
• sites within the resource won't get traffic (no visitors)
• the directory won't make money eg: non webmaster sites won't submit to an empty directory.

zero traffic means the site can't attract advertisers - no advertisers means no revenue and from then on it's down hill.

I'd build the resource first to get the searchers, then wait until you have at least 50k of visitors per month, then you can sell that to the advertisers and as submitters see the site grow, they will get more confident about adding their sites.

But as general directories are mostly made up of pagerank chasers, adsense earners, webmasters directories, they will never be that amazing.

Nobody likes an empty website, it puts people off.

Nice one, Highlander. Rep added!

 

[soapnuts]

I have a lot instant Approval free web directories and making money by Adsense.

 

[highlander]

Adsense is the wrong strategy, it doesn't really work well for directories, even niche ones have great difficulty in making money from adsense. Like affiliate programs, the directories make little to nothing, while the affiliate provider gets a ton of free advertising and branding for free! Or the agent (eg: Commission Junction etc) gets to use you as bait and attract new clients while command huge fees off your back/idea.

Few sites make large commissions from adsense or affiliate stuff - waste of tiime in my practised opinion. Like saturation of directories - few get this right, while the affiliate programs and Google laughs all the way to the bank.

Interesting how the world works isn't it.. and it ain't in our favour. :help:

Don't forget these companies are in it for the money, and if they can get away with and put something on your site for nicks, they will do it. I once spent 3 days worth of phone conversation with a well-known affiliate group, they wanted to put something major onto my site and all they offered was pennies per click, tried to negotiate but they wouldn't have it, so told em to get stuffed.

These joker companies are in it for the cash - believe it and that's why affiliate schemes were invented, most are so low paid it's a joke, and it's something you need to really know a lot about before simply doing it.

It isn't that simple - nothing is easy.

 

[temi]

You can generate revenue from adsense, you can sell premium links, you can use your directory as a sales tool for your other sites.

 

[highlander]

Yeah, well I've used adsense and it's bad, but the affiliate stuff is worse - way worse, such a low to zero payout, so isn't worth it! Websites really need a ton of visitors for these things to pay off well. I'd say a website needs at least 20'000 visitor each month to make anything from adsense, affiliate programs need much more

I make far more selling my ad space than I ever made from a dumb program. Lots of gullible people about, but Im not one of them

 

[poison17]

Directories are definatelly not part of the "get rich" scheme

I have one "free and paid" directory, I've earned ~10 $ in one month with adsense in 30 days, and that's it. Anyway, I didn't made this directory with the goal to make big money with it, but to test the market, and to learn how things works.

 

[highlander]

Directories are definatelly not part of the "get rich" scheme

97% of directories are small time, so ofcourse the owners won't get rich.

Very few eek out a good living from it, and the major companies like YP, & Reed own the market anyway. Now it's about selling pagerank and we get bunch of scamsters now, it's very sad to see.

 

[karmadir]

Launch a niche directory

Launch a niche directory, its demand is high and directories are low, you can earn quickly through it.

 

[highlander]

Launch a niche directory, its demand is high and directories are low, you can earn quickly through it.

• Only if the value is added to such a site (few have the expertise to do it and will fail)
• The earnings aren't as fast as you think!
• Constant ideas are vital for it's success

It will take years to become established, even with press agencies working for you - trust me I'm in my 5th year and still playing the waiting game. If you think by throwing up a rehashed niche idea, and hope it takes off, you will be heading for a great fall. If you choose any old idea that sounds cool - you will fail.

The correct industry is cucial to success. It will take you years just to build the database full of websites, and another 2 years to promote it, and that's assuming you have a unique idea and have the large amounts of cash to do it.

 

[chingkkay]

They also make money through adsense , "directory" keyword produce a large traffic in search engine.

 

[highlander]

They also make money through adsense , "directory" keyword produce a large traffic in search engine.

No - they don't bcos too much fighting for the popular keywords. Noone searches general directories, they don't produce enough traffic - they go to add links and spam via lists, not to search.

The web is now about targeting advertising for the best chance of conversion, and general resources don't work anymore. To go specialised and target is the only way forward now, and it's shocking that people use 'directory lists' as any links gained will not turn into money.