12 replies to this topic

[Debra]

I’ve been getting a number of requests for info on how to find specialty and niche directories to add links to so I’ve jotted down one of the ways I do this when working on a link campaign.

I believe a well developed link campaign done in conjunction with an optimization program really benefits your search engine ranking strategy. So, having said that, I’m assuming your site has been optimized and you already have a list of keyword phrases.

(My sample below is written as if I’m searching on Google.)

To begin, write out your primary and secondary keyword phrases. Go over to Overture and use their keyword suggestion tool, use Wordtracker or search on Teoma to find additional phrases that are relevant to your service/product. Add them to your list.

Prioritize your keyword phrases and then insert each phrase into the query string below. Once inserted, search on the full string. Here’s how it would look using the sample “running shoes”

My list of keyword phrases:

Running shoes
Walking shoes
Workout shoes

My sample list of query strings: (there are more, be creative)

submit url
add url
add link

Put them together for:

“running shoes” + “submit url”
running shoes + “add url”
running shoes + “add link”

As you search, the engine returns sites with the phrases running shoes and submit url. Click on the cached link and it will highlight the “submit url” or “running shoes” phrase on the webpage. From there, you can look at the site and see if it matches/meets your criteria.

If you want to be specific in your keyword search, keep the “quote marks” around your phrase. But if you’re open to having sites returned with either “running” or “shoes”, then drop the quotes. I always leave the quotes around the query (“add link”, “submit link” etc.) since I’m specifically looking for places to add links.

Does it take a long time to do this? Yes. But if you use a spreadsheet, budget a little bit of time each day/week, you’ll eventually find some great niche directories to add your site to!

[Haystack]

Great tips, Debra.

An additional strategy that might have some overlap is to search on the same phrases using URL related searches such as:
Running shoes inurl:links
Running shoes inurl:directory
Running shoes inurl:resources

That should reveal a few additional gems.

[Jill]

Great tips!

J

[Debra]

Excellent Ed. Anyone else have a tip they want to add? If get a bunch more, we can compile and place in a resource thread.

[Scottie]

I usually look for keyword + "add your site" or "submit your site" or "submit your link" or "add your link" as well as the ones you've already mentioned.

[deborah2002]

I hope this isn't the LONG way to do it, but I use Optilink and run a link analysis of all my competition to see who they are linked to. Then I check those out and if I think they are worth anything, I grab 'em!

So far, I've found some really great sites to be on (some were really just garbage), and some got me on a new way of thinking ("hmmm, I never thought about THAT....what a great idea.....").

Just my 2 cents!

deb

P/S this works for both directory and regular links, BTW

[Debra]

Thanks Scottie.

Deb. your tip is a good one. Helps to know if your competitors are in any niche directories you should also be in!

[BrianR]

Debra

I'm thinking about that great tip for finding niche directories, but I'm also thinking of how to cut down the amount of work involved.

Would it work if your query was: 'running shoes' 'high ranking competitor url' 'submit url'

Unless I've got my logic wrong, that way, you could possibly limit the number of directories to the ones that really matter.

BrianR

[Debra]

Would it work if your query was: 'running shoes' 'high ranking competitor url' 'submit url'

I understand your question Brian and feel your pain..... unfortunately including the words you've outlined above will not bring back anything except webpages with those exact words on them. When you type in a given set of keyword phrases, those phrases are what the engine goes out and looks for. It only brings back what you tell it to.

There is no short cut for good link building. Takes time and patience but the outcome of your efforts will be worth it.

[kmtell]

I found some niche directories by navigating to the reference section of dmoz and into the directories section.

Also look for some trade publications that have online databases too (although these would probably be found using the first technique listed by magnolia).

[awall19]

you can also use the open directory project to find other directories.


use the following search on google

site:dmoz.org directories + keyword pertaining to your site

this will return pages with the words directories and your keyword on it (you may want to use key subject and not keyword)


in addition the search

site:dmoz.org inurl:directories + keyword

will return dmoz directory categories with your keyword on the page

[Debra]

Good one Aaron - provided you can get into the DMOZ!

[toprank]

Hey Ed,

That inurl: thing is pretty cool. Thanks!