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No matter what is the focus of your site, search engines and directories will likely be a significant source of traffic. If someone out there is looking for a site like yours, you need to be within the first two pages of search results to ensure your online success. This section will equip you with the necessary knowledge to get on the road to success.
Search Engine Vs. Directory
Although people use the terms search engine and directory interchangeably, there are subtle differences. In general, search engines have a much larger index and utilize spiders to add sites to their index. In contrast, directories typically have a smaller index and are maintained by humans. A search engine typically asks for the URL you wish to submit and some other information like Title, keywords, descriptions and your email address. A directory will usually ask for much more, including your URL, the category you wish to be added to, the title of your site, a description, and your contact information.
To summarize, search engines all have different ranking criteria, and this is the reason you often receive different results when you search on the same keyword with different engines. You should learn as much as you can about each of the major search engine's ranking systems and adjust your submission or your site's content accordingly.
Unlike in a search engine, your site's position in directories depend less on website design and more on the initial submission process itself, which is why it is important to review each directory's submission procedure and submission tips. |
