SEO Step 5: Submit to Directories and Guides

You have set up your presence on the web. The next step is to submit to the directories. Links from popular directories very helpful to your search engine ranking, as they are counted more heavily than regular links. The top directories are:

• Open Directory Project: To submit a site in Open Directory Project (DMOZ), you first need to find the appropriate category for your site to be listed in, then you submit your site under that category. An editor will review your site and places it in the DMOZ directory if he/she decides that your site's content is of good quality. This is the most important directory to be on, as, among other things, Google is using it as Google Directory.

• Yahoo Directory: You can either use Yahoo's Business Express program, or use the free URL submission functionality. As of this writing, Business Express incurs a $299 one-time fee, plus a $299 annual recurring fee. Personally, I have been unable to list my site with the Yahoo Directory via the free URL submission method. As for Business Express, it depends on what type of site you have. If you are a company, then chances are good it's well worth it to spend the money to get listed. For personal/hobby sites, though, I am not quite sure the extra money can be easily justified. Personally, I have not participated in the Business Express program.