Web directories serve as a list or catalogue of numerous links that are sorted by specific topics. Before search engines came into the scene, directories were the main way to find relevant sites. But nowadays, several popular search engines like Google, Yahoo serve that duty and connect users to their desired information.

Directory submission is very important as far as getting your website recognized in the Search Engines. Many major search engine spiders browse through different web directories to determine the performance of the websites they indexed. As a result, it is always advisable to select quality web directories to submit your website. You might submit your website to thousands of web directories on the web, but it hardly makes sense if these web directories are not good enough as per the Search Engine standards. You need to make sure the directory you submit to not only has a good Page rank but also quality back links. There are free web directories all on the net, but it’s generally a good idea to submit your website to directories that will actually help your website. Check the Page Rank of the web directory before you submit it .

If you want to increase your chances to see your site listed, it’s essential to understand what information you are required to provide about your site and how to properly submit them.

At least title, description and url are required by all directories.

Benefits of Directory submission -

1. Increase in the ranking of search engines

2. To index your website

3. Helps categorizing your site on a relevant topic

4. Specific keywords / phrases

5. Search engine relies on directories

6. Increase of traffic in your site

Web site title

Web directories have more or less restrictive rules about what you can or cannot have as your site title.

In any case a good title should never exceed 4-5 words. Using a long list of keywords as title (keyword stuffing), excessive repetitions and inappropriate punctuation must be absolutely avoided.

Web site description

Many sites are rejected due to an inappropriate description. A description is not an advertisement and should never contain superlatives or excessive marketing hype.

Directory listings are usually searchable by words contained both in title and description so the keywords commonly used to find your site should be included in your site description. However always write 2-3 complete sentences that sound natural do not make your description a long list of keywords.

Web site URL

You would say that people should at least be able to correctly submit their own web site url. If you work as directory editor for a while you will change your mind! It happens quite frequently that a site is rejected simply because of a mistyped url.

Never type your site url directly into the submission form. Test it in your browser, save it in a text file and copy and paste from there.

Each directory can have some other specific rules, so be sure to carefully read the directory submission guidelines and comply to any special requirement.

It’s said that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression: directory editors read the information you submit before visiting your web site. Learn to properly write your directory submissions and you will greatly increase the chances to have your website accepted.