Is there a future for a directory project?

[ilushkin]

Ive been running my directory since Aug 2005. Its well indexed. However, its never used by the public audience. (I mean people who come actually to search for something they cant find on Google or Yahoo). All visitors I get come for submission purpose only. In order to promote their web sites by raising the page rank, etc. Is there a future in such business model? I noticed that search engines dont use directories to feed the results... . So eventually, will there be use of my directory in the future....?

[Ap0s7le]

Actually a lot of the installs I've seen use it for more link management than anything.

I get people who do a search on SE, and they find info about the site they are looking for on me and then go to them haha

-Casey

[VSDan]

I agree with Casey, I use phpLD exclusively for link management. If you want to create a sustainable directory that attracts surfer traffic, then you need to (1) fill a specific niche, and (2) promote the hell out of it. Find a niche that have not been exploited to death, and target that audience. I did something similar using another link script (Links SQL by Gossamer Threads). After a couple years, I built traffic to respectable levels, and sold the site for nearly $10,000. Not bad for minimal investment (< $1000)and time commitment (< hour a day). If you want to compete against Google, Yahoo, etc., then give it up. But within a certain niche, you stand a good chance of building traffic and a site with saleable value. As a matter of fact, we are considering purchasing domain names and developing niche directories (using phpLD) for commercial distribution.

[ilushkin]

http://evhead.com/2005/11/ten-rules-for-web-startups.asp
Thats what you meant, i suppose Dan. Im totally agree with you. On the other hand I dont feel like giving up the project I've spent so much time promoting... (general directory) and switching to a niche directory, all of the sudden. I guess I had to make a good choice initially. And I will keep promoting mine and see whats going to happen. I hope thats not a waste of time. By the way, I ve just heard that {link not resolving - removed} went on Ebay for a little over $3000 {ebay product no longer available - link removed} they were general directory too... .

[Syphon]

I dont see so much of general directories doing very great but if you cover a certian subject you will attract vistors. Do something you enjoy. For example I do SEO Resources. I also am working on a web design one aswell. Im even thinkin about doing just a content managment system one aswell. These will be found in google searches. If you promote your site and get yoru site listed in many directories that acually have a page rank on the site that you list on you can get some people finding your site. They will come in search yoru directory and if you keep your directory keyword rich and have google adsense on hte side osmeone will see something they like and click it. There you jsut made money. But when it comes to general directories your open to to large of a market.

The business model you need is to build up your site to become very large with good PRs. You can then make some revenue from adsense and also charge others 5 bucks to be featured. If you have decent PR you may be able to sell some. Biggest thing is just time. You have to run it for a while.

Also by doing a niche directory you have better odds of having sites link to you. Alot of sites wont link to just a general site but for example you make a directory about SEO Resources then you will get some SEO sites out there linking to you becasue you have 1000 links about SEO.

Also build you directory. Dont wait for others to add their site in. You need to go out and find the stuff on your own. I have been sitting down each evening after work and searching for sites related to one of my catagories on my site. I make sure each night I add at least 20 new links and sometimes more than that. Remember its size that makes you look good. To the many out there that dont ahve the PR in their toolbar on their browsers they just see that you have 5000 links so they think your bigger than you really are.