How Do You Start Your Own Directory Like Dmoz? Options

[Newbie_guy]

This is going to come off a little ambitious but I've been hearing that some of you guys have been DMOZ volunteers before (but this question can go out to anybody.) My question is, how does the system work from in and out? Sorry if I'm being a little too broad but it'll help if you guys can tell me anything or everything you know about it.

I have an idea for creating a directory site except it has a little twist.


Any help would be appreciated.

[OldWelshGuy]

Hi Newbie guy, welcome (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

There are loads of scripts out there that will mimic yahoo/DMOZ etc, or there are directories that are just single edit directories. just do a search for 'directory script' on google and you will find yourself taken to hotscripts or the like, where you can browse.

A forum owner in the Uk is just about to launch a directory where you can 'vote' amazon style on each site within the directory, you can also leave comments about the businesses involved, (I know a whole can of worms, but Patrick is going in with both eyes open) you can view it here http://ox1.biz/index2.php?c=7

OWG

[bkernst]

The rough guide to creating a directory using a dynamic website:

Start with a blank database.
In the database you need a categories tables and a websites table.
In both tables, set the fields for all the data needed, populate the toplevel categories as a minimum.
Create a website which uses a script that lists the subcategories and websites per category and related details, with a breadcrumb going up to the toplevel.
Add a users table for editors, and add a submission page, as well as an editing section for the editors.
Once this is done, submit your website to search enginges and get links to the site.
After some time, you might get some people adding details, just make sure that you have proper categories, otherwise if they cannot find the categories they want, they will move on to another website.

Bernhard

[stoner3221]

I’ve been in the process of developing a directory project of my own for quite some time now. You will find a lot of scripts available at verity of prices. My experiences have shown me you get what you pay for. (Be sure your script is cross browser compatible and easily accessible by search engines) I’m on my third script now and you can count on bugs popping up, so if you’re not a script writer you’re going to pay big bucks to get it debugged. Next comes the topic structure; I’ve been spending 8 hours a day 5 days a week for the past 4 weeks doing primarily data input and I’m only half done. When the topic structure is completed you need to add websites. I would not consider launching a directory with any less then 5000 quality unique submissions. A good editor can research and add around 150 sites a day.
When you have your directory ready for the public you want at least a $1,000 budget for paid submissions and express reviews to get reasonable public exposure and a PR.
You can count on around 5000 free submissions per month and volunteer editors are very hard to find. Getting your submissions entered into the directory in a reasonable period of time will require your doing submissions as a full time job. Part time ventures and paid only submission new directories don’t last long. After three years of working your tail off you could have a top directory if you can provide a good quality directory and responsive service.

[Newbie_guy]

Lot's of good info. (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
But I still have some follow-up questions.

How much would the estimated directory script cost be if you were going to modify it by outsourcing at places like Elance?

Is there a general guideline for site reviews that I should follow? I want something that other editors can follow easily as well.

Also, I've seen some directories made it optional for sites to link back to the directory so the site could get better listings. Is it dangerous to do so or is it alright?

[OldWelshGuy]

The answer to the first is how much do you want to spend, and how stable do you want it? I have a small directory, it is mainly used as a handpicked service to my customers. I do not intend to grow it, or profit from it, so what I have is fine.

Guidelines, these are entirely up to you. Write down your likes and dislikes and go with that eg a whole directory of make money from home sites might be your idea of crap, but it might be my idea of heaven. criteria is personal, although unfinished sites should not be allowed in any directory, nor should duplicate content.

There is nothing wrong with asking for a link back, provided it is at the discretion of the site backlinking. IMO the power of ANY resource point is in the quality and volume of content. Stopping a high quality site from being included because it will not backlink is lunacy. I believe that it is a dangerous practice to gie them the code to backlink with, as it could result in the SE's picking up all your backlinks as the same anchor text. That said, I think that Google etc are smart enough to realise that a site is a directory, and up the bar on this front.

[stoner3221]

The first two scripts I purchased were not terribly expensive but crashed after around 500 topic additions. The one I’m presently using cost $700 and I have had to put $2,300 into debugging and minor modifications. It still needs some work but functions very well finally. Shop around for scripts and get webmaster recommendations; you don’t want to get stuck with a problematic script that drains your financial resources. Be sure you get top of the line web hosting as well. A hosting service with an unstable or overloaded database system can cause no end of problems.

[Newbie_guy]

Alright thanks guys!

[keltin]

post a project on www.teclance.com and see how much it would cost you to have one built. Never hurts to see. Some one may have already built one so you could get it cheaper.


cheers,
Mike (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif)