Most website owners fail to differentiate between a directory and search engine, failure to do so has resulted in failure to harness the powers of Internet directory effectively.

Search engine uses the spiders ? (an automated software program) to locate and collect data from web pages for inclusion in a search engine's database and to follow links to find new pages on the World Wide Web. While directories depends on human editors, who in most cases examine every single new listing before they are added to their directory. Most major search engines these days use links from human edited directory to measure the quality of the site they index. That is why you should place emphasis on the type of website or directory you list to and how to do that effectively.

Below here are the steps to be followed, before you will list in most human edited Internet directories that place emphasis on building an effective directory. DMOZ, Yahoo and other new human edited directories consider the following before they consider your site for inclusion.

(1) Design or look of your website:
Is your website properly designed? Most website owners do not take into consideration on how their website is designed. The look or design of your website is the most important factor for success in web marketing ? its effectiveness also applies to site visitors. Website designers offer to help you create an effective website that will boost your website marketing and also enhance your site visitors experience thereby increasing sales or repeated visits. Spending money in building an effective website for Internet marketing should be the first step for Internet marketing success.

(2) Follow Directories Submission Guideline(s) Carefully:
Reading the instructions before submitting to directories is one of the keys to success to listing effectively in directories. You can neglect or even bypass the instructions in most search engines since spiders can take care of your listings, while in directories the result is the opposite. Make it a point of duty to read twice the instructions in every directory you are listing in and follow what they need.

(3) Telephone Number in Shopping Sites:
Most directories rate shopping sites without a phone contact as an affiliate sites. Telephone also plays a very important role in selling products to Internet shoppers. Most 85% of Internet shoppers may not buy from shopping sites that do not include a contact address or telephone number or both. One question that goes in the shoppers mind is ? what will happen if I need to call for help? For technical support, returns etc. The same emphases are placed by editors of most directories like Yahoo, Dmoz and other new directories.

Although this rule may not apply to some paid directories, but there are some paid directories that still adhere to the above principle. Most paid directories may not refund your payment when they fail to include your listing in their directory.

(4) Listing with the Right Title, Description and Keywords To Appropriate Category:
Lay emphasis in the Title, Description and Keywords you are using when submitting to directories. Make it a point of duty to study the directory you are submitting to, prior to submission and find out how majority of their listings are placed. Use simple keywords or phrases that relates to your site content. Do not include keywords that do not relate to your site content, since most directories rely on keywords to structure results, placing wrong keywords may inflame some editors.

Since most major search engines these days lay emphasis on quality links from human edited websites like directories, make it a point of duty to do your homework and save time doing it.

Copyright ? 2005, Ezilon.com

Charles Hopkins is a developer and senior editor for Ezilon Search Engine and Directory. Website: http://search.ezilon.com - North American Directory (Submit your website and search The United States and Canadian Websites).