Assignment 6, Bootcamp #5 - Listing in Directories

[iCraft Admin]

Hello Bootcampers,

Hope you all had a nice and restful week, and now are ready to take on a new assignment again.  
So this week, we'll research different craft directories and try to get listed in as many of those directories as possible.
There is a debate about usefulness of directories, when it comes to SEO. Here is one good article to read on this topics Web Directories...are They Relevant to SEO?

The key is in finding super relevant and quality niche directories, those that don't have too many ads all over their pages and possibly are moderated manually by a group of enthusiasts.

Here is the Assignment for this week:

• Do research on Google or Bing for all kinds of directories, using words like Craft Directory, Handmade Directory, Jewelry Directory, Beaded Jewelry Directory etc. Here are some examples: http://dir.yahoo.com/arts/crafts/ and http://www.craftgate.com/
  Linkedin groups are good places to get listed as well, so find appropriate groups and mention your store on their pages.
• It's not easy to get into good directories, like Google's Dmoz, so make sure you read their rules and tips from others, like this article Tips for Getting Listed in DMOZ.
• Create a spreadsheet of the directories you find and start tracking in how many directories you've listed your store and actually got included.
• Some are paid directories, so just make a note of the fees and pass them for now. Don't pay for inclusion yet, until you get a better idea of the directories' landscape first.
• Read rules for inclusion and follow their instructions to make sure you provide sufficient information about your store URL for directory owners to make a decision to include your URL in their directory.
• Please share your finds on forum during this week for others to check.
• At the end of the week please post the number of directories your were able to get listed in.

As usual, ask questions and share your experiences on forum. We are here to help! 

[JaJeJems]

Hi, nice to be back!  In my search for directories I ran in to a couple of link exchanges.  Is this an easy way to get backlinks?  Just wondering because it sounds too easy based on what we have been learning.

[iCraft Admin]

Those links are called reciprocal links. You don't really want those links, as they cancel each other and don't provide any value from SEO perspective.

[JaJeJems]

Thanks admin - thought that was too good to be true!  One directory I joined asked for my reciprocal links so now I know what that meant.

[iCraft Admin]

I am surprised that people still ask for those links, as they don't work. In fact, it's against Google's policy to simply exchange links like that, so they can even hurt your site, if you get too many of those pointing to your pages. The links you really want are those that are embedded in articles, like store reviews, as they are editorially chosen.

[JaJeJems]

I have seen more than one with reciprocal links.  I also see a wide variety in instructions.  Some are very clear about writing a long description, others say hardly anything and hardly ask for any information other than your name and link.  It is really interesting to see the differences!  I read about DMOZ and I am not ready for that yet but I think that it would be a good goal to strive for at least.

[JaJeJems]

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-network-using-linkedin-groups/. Here is a links to an article that I just read on LinkedIn groups.  I have joined several but some don't seem active or very well managed.  I am in a few active groups and it is a good networking tool.

[Jewelry by Kat]

Good article JaJeJems

[iCraft Admin]

So how's everyone doing with this weeks assignment? Any questions? Good progress? 

[Jewelry by Kat]

Seems that I am waiting to hear back from the directories or pay pay pay.

[JaJeJems]

Well I am having the same issues as Kat.  A few aren't accepting submissions, some require payment, one won't accept without a reciprocal link. Waiting on a couple to be approved.  Other than that week is going well!

[Red Rock Designs]

yeah, same here.  I'm also having a hard time finding directories that are specific to chainmaille jewelry.  The one I did find I was already a member.  Otherwise, linkbuilding is still going well.

[JaJeJems]

Here is my list of directories
http://www.seaglass.com/seaglass-links.html
http://homebasedjewelers.gotop100.com/index2.html
http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/
http://www.odysseyseaglass.com/sea-glass-directory.html
https://www.facebook.com/ukcrafts/info
http://www.networkedblogs.com/topic/Lampwork

I am waiting for approval on one other, and two that I am interested in are not currently taking new listings.  I had hoped for more. Oh yes, I don't think I am ready for DMOZ yet!

I have also joined more LinkedIn groups including one on social media marketing that seems very active.  Some of the LinkedIn groups are more active than others.  I gave up waiting on a couple of groups who left me waiting to be approved.  I have started two discussions in another group and had no responses after a couple of weeks so I think it will be the next to be dropped!

[Jewelry by Kat]

I wasn't too successful.  Computer failed got  a new one, brother.  Here are the groups I joined on LinkedIn
- jewelry designers
- jewelry designers2-pending
- beads and beading
- business and professional women
- handmade jewelry marketing

There were a lot of directories for a fee and a lot with 3 levels of fees , anywhere from $9.99-$ 69.99
sent email to join handcrafted jewelry directory.com- still waiting
joined jewelry great .com - but I don't see my store
applied to dmoz- waiting to hear
some had backlinks

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Red Rock Designs,

It's great if you can find directories specific to chainmaille jewelry, but you should also widen your search and join any jewelry, crafts and handmade directories. They don't have to be super specific, as long as they are related to jewelry.

So how many directories have you joined this week?