Business Website Advice

Clients tell me they get bombared by agreessive directory promoters to pay heaps of money, $1000’s, to list in new directories. They promise huge numbers of visitors and tell you time is short, you have to beat your competitors who are buying premium listings which strategically places them at the top of sections.  You’ll loose out. 

I say most of the time this is hype. 

Go for the free listings you can get by listing in the many online directories related to your industry. You still get the inbound link which to me is one of the biggest benefits.

Try the hard sell back at them. For the fee based ones, I suggest you ask for trial periods, try negotiating a reduced rate for an introductory period, ask for their target market data, what keyword search phrases are they targeting. 

Ask for proof of their performance. Get their stats reports for your category. If they can’t deliver I’d be hesitant to sign up for other than a trail period.

Check for yourself. You can check their performance by looking at your own wesite traffic report. Are they listed in your Top Ten Referrers list. 

Most directories are sound businesses offering great services to businesses in their target area.  Be sure their target matches yours and they bring you the traffic you’re after.

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