Monday, June 16, 2008

Features Of A Good Online Business Directory

By Russell M. Stewart

Take a glance at the number of web directories in today's online networks - you'll find there are many and some have a specialisation, while others are general. Web directories cover various subjects such as business, web hosting, articles and ebooks. The majority of these web directories provide services by having a link base in one location as various listings, which allow the readers to find exactly what they want.

A business web directory provides a complete listing of businesses available, both online and those which are offline, but host websites. Other businesses find business directories very helpful, because it's easy to find any services or products they don't have through their own business. Even the general consumer gets some benefit from web-based business directories, because they can easily find the most suitable seller when making direct online purchases.

There are certain guidelines, standards and conventions that business directories are expected to follow, though there are no hard and fast rules. Reliable directories usually follow these guidelines.

Organisation - A well-organised online business directory is easy for anyone to use. It must be categorised accordingly, showing main and sub classifications. Simple and user-friendly navigation, with properly categorised links in each section, is also necessary. A summarised, clean layout is also a sign of a good online business directory.

Updates - A fresh directory attracts more web traffic because everything is dynamic. Stale information only drives people off and having new links along with relevant details is a good way to maintain an online business directory. When a business directory is updated often, more businesses will submit links to them too.

PageRank - Google and other search engines provide web pages with ranks. These ranks are based on how popular a page is. While it's different from the search engine's organic results, having a high PageRank boosts the site's ability drive traffic through its links.

Correct Keywords - A good online business directory must concentrate on providing traffic to their listed businesses, so using the right keywords to direct various visitors is imperative. By providing keyword-based search facility, web business directories are able to help users find the right businesses without a hassle.

These key attributes can help anyone decide if an online business directory is good and efficient. Choosing the best quality directory is easier this way, whether you want to find a business reliably or post your own links.

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