What to Look For in an Online Article Directory
Making use of article directories is not as easy, automated or helpful as one might initially think.
Each one has its own set of guidelines, and it takes time to make sure that what you are submitting will meet up with their expectations.
Nevertheless, to ignore an article directory in the creation and distribution of your content is akin to committing business suicide, at least as far as your online presence is concerned.
And face it, if you do not have a good online presence, then you are clearly leaving a lot of money on the table.
With that said, how do you make the most out of your experience using one of these services? It helps to know something about them first.
Quality.
How well does the directory monitor the strength of its content.
It is impossible to distribute so much and not let the occasional bad apple through, but take a cross section from several different categories.
Read as much as you can from each, and judge for yourself the kind of content that is deemed passable.
Ideally, the place you are submitting to will be able to catch the weak links before the search engines do.
If you like what you see, it is time to move on to the next element.
Quantity.
How many articles are available in a single subject area? How many pass through the site on a given day? Quantity is a funny thing.
On the one hand, it can be discouraging to compete against so many other articles.
On the other, the high number of daily content pieces makes the site a sweetheart of search engines, and it is possible that with well-researched and expertly written material yours will stand out from the amateurs.
Search engine placement.
If a directory site publishes a lot of content, and it isn't registering highly with search engines, then it could be that the editorial process is sub-par, allowing many black-hat articles through the ranks.
Search engines are good at catching these poorly written, often incoherent nuggets of gibberish, and they will penalize sites for passing through too much of it.
Do not attach your quality content to a sinking ship.
Easy access.
With all the many different directories out there, it can be quite a hassle to submit to all of them.
Each has its own stringent guidelines.
Doing it yourself takes away from your work and play time, but many businesses don't have another option.
Make sure if you do it yourself that directories play nice with directory submission software.
Any automation you can take advantage of will save you headaches down the road.
A successful link building campaign begins with a successful website.
Produce quality content and make it available in the best possible forum.
With time and consistency, you will rise to the top.
Each one has its own set of guidelines, and it takes time to make sure that what you are submitting will meet up with their expectations.
Nevertheless, to ignore an article directory in the creation and distribution of your content is akin to committing business suicide, at least as far as your online presence is concerned.
And face it, if you do not have a good online presence, then you are clearly leaving a lot of money on the table.
With that said, how do you make the most out of your experience using one of these services? It helps to know something about them first.
Quality.
How well does the directory monitor the strength of its content.
It is impossible to distribute so much and not let the occasional bad apple through, but take a cross section from several different categories.
Read as much as you can from each, and judge for yourself the kind of content that is deemed passable.
Ideally, the place you are submitting to will be able to catch the weak links before the search engines do.
If you like what you see, it is time to move on to the next element.
Quantity.
How many articles are available in a single subject area? How many pass through the site on a given day? Quantity is a funny thing.
On the one hand, it can be discouraging to compete against so many other articles.
On the other, the high number of daily content pieces makes the site a sweetheart of search engines, and it is possible that with well-researched and expertly written material yours will stand out from the amateurs.
Search engine placement.
If a directory site publishes a lot of content, and it isn't registering highly with search engines, then it could be that the editorial process is sub-par, allowing many black-hat articles through the ranks.
Search engines are good at catching these poorly written, often incoherent nuggets of gibberish, and they will penalize sites for passing through too much of it.
Do not attach your quality content to a sinking ship.
Easy access.
With all the many different directories out there, it can be quite a hassle to submit to all of them.
Each has its own stringent guidelines.
Doing it yourself takes away from your work and play time, but many businesses don't have another option.
Make sure if you do it yourself that directories play nice with directory submission software.
Any automation you can take advantage of will save you headaches down the road.
A successful link building campaign begins with a successful website.
Produce quality content and make it available in the best possible forum.
With time and consistency, you will rise to the top.
