Paid Submission Review Considerations
Paid submission services are available from search engine sites like Yahoo, and search directories like LookSmart. These services promise to list your business in an online directory so potential customers can find you easily when conducting web searches through the directories themselves or through search engines. But there are advantages and disadvantages to consider before you spend the money on paid advertising.
If you own a business that provides a service rather than selling goods, then paying for a listing in specific directories makes sense. Once you are listed, your exposure online will increase and customers will be able to find your contact information and website easily. The competition you face through advertising in these directories will decrease because you will only be competing with those who are listed instead of every online business registered on the Internet.
Another advantage to listing your business in an online directory is that you can give potential customers an idea of what your website includes, the URL, and contact information so they can visit your site. When a customer is looking for a specific service, they do not want to spend a lot of time browsing websites. When using an online directory, they are able to find what they are looking for quickly. By including a full description of your services, you will attract more customers who are in need of your services immediately.
One final advantage to using online directories is that you will make sales faster by attracting customers who are in need of your services. Unlike those who are taking their time using search engines, those who use directories are interested in finding what they need quickly. You will earn more revenue by finding those who are in need of your services rather than those who may want to use your services in the future.
Paid submission sites are not cheap, however. You could spend several hundred dollars just for the opportunity to have your site looked at by an editor who works for the directory. Even though you have to pay this fee, it is not a guarantee that your site will be listed. If it is, many directories ask for a yearly fee to maintain the listing. Depending on the amount of traffic you receive, this cost may or may not be worth it. By carefully tracking where your traffic is coming from, you should be able to determine this quickly.
Common paid submission sites include search engines such as Yahoo.com. In addition to being a search engine, the company also maintains online directories that those searching for particular services can use for free. Last year, Yahoo made it mandatory for all businesses that wanted to be included in the shopping and services category and the business to business category pay a submission fee and a subscription fee.
While this may not seem like a big deal especially if having a listing will increase traffic to your website, it will take up to seven days for an editor to review your site. Even after paying the submission fee, your site may not be accepted and will not be listed.
Other search engines including MSN have online directories that you can advertise your business on.
LookSmart, http://search.looksmart.com, was the first online directory to begin charging submission fees for their services. Since then, others have begun offering paid submission space on their directories. Looksmart offers two submission categories: basic submit, and express submit. While express submit only takes twenty-four hours for website verification, basic submit can take several weeks.
When searching for the right paid submission directories, you should first have an understanding of your target audience. A target audience is a group of people who are most likely to be interested in visiting and purchasing goods and services from your site. Once you have discovered your target audience, find out where they shop online, which directories to use, and which sites will be your biggest competition. Since there are many online directories to choose from, don’t waste your money listing on directories that do not cater to your target audience.
It is important to keep in mind that paid submission to online directories may not increase your business enough to justify paying yearly fees and other expenses to keep your business listed. One of the biggest disadvantages is the amount you will have to pay upfront. But since many directories are now charging a paid submission fee in addition to a subscription fee, you may not have much choice when you want to list your business in a directory.
When looking for possible directories, visit Web Directory List at http://www.webdirectorylist.com. This site will give you a comprehensive list of web directories fore very type of business. Depending on what your needs are, there is a directory online that can help give your website the exposure it needs to become profitable.
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Carefully consider all directories before paying any fees. If a directory doesn’t seem professional or it is not used often, then paying for a listing may not be in your best interest. Choose directories that rank high on search engines and choose directories that are easy to use. If you have navigating your way around the site, chances are others will as well. Make sure the directory has a solid reputation so you can list your business knowing that people will be able to find you when they need you.
