Directory submissions and buy traffic..?

[mexham]

Hi there, just wondering what peoples thoughts are on submitting your websites to online directories and buying traffic?

There are so many free directories out there, some know, many not, and all sorts of submission services free and paid for advertised all over the show. I'm sure you've all seen the 'submit your site to 900 directories' for $9.99 etc etc. Is there any use to this? Has anyone ever found they get web traffic/sales and improved ranking from zapping your site on as many online directories as possible?


The other thing I've seen is where you buy traffic.. 10,000 unique visitors for $50 sort of thing. Has anyone tried one of these either? What seems to happen is these companies buy dead domain names or pay certain sites to pop up or under your webpage when visitors enter them. They are supposed to be tagged to similiar sites as your. So is semi targeted traffic. It should be pretty easy to track with google analytics which would help and be pretty interesting I reckon.

For me the more traffic I get the better, as it could always lead to a sale, and help spread word of mouth. I would recoup the cost pretty quick if any sales did come through. But I don't want to give out a bad impression, and I wonder if such a service might create that. Personaly I have a popup blocker, or just close any before they load up.

thanks,
Mike

[Jexley]

Mate, I can not emphasise enough how important it is for you NOT to do the things you're mentioning. Not because they're evil, or going to get your site banned from Google or your kittens tarred or any other calamity.

I mean, they could do those things, but your money and efforts are so much better spent on a professional like myself *coughhadtobedone* or any number of quality folks you'll meet on this forum or via networking. There are lots out there, many are highly reputable too.

My advice is to talk to a few of them, be prepared to spend a few hundred bucks at least, and see what they tell you they can do for you. There's probably a wide range of offerings, but the biggest and most important thing that they should be able to promise you is that they'll increase your targeted traffic. Not just users, not just hits, not just numbers, but people who are more likely to buy from you.

I mean, that's the whole point isn't it?

Good luck.

[mexham]

Hey, thanks Jexley.


Yeah I didn't imagine they would be any good. There is so much crap out there that is feels like I need to wade through it all to find out what's really important. Is a lot of good info though also, and good stuff to apply.

Cheers,

[Lucki]

Hi Mike,

I've listed my website with reputable free directories such as Hotfrog and Melbourne directory to name a few but there are so many out there that are really not worth the effort.

I believe you would be better off consulting with some of the flying soloists to gain better value for your dollar in promoting your website.

Tread carefully and find exactly what you're looking for rather than wasting your marketing budget on empty hype.

Cheers
Lucki

[mexham]

Hi Lucki,

thanks for your comments. Was generally my thoughts also, they all seem a bit dodgy!

Another quick question then.. In relation to google adwords, would anyone see any benefit in buying keyword ads if you already ranked highly (page one rank 1-4ish) in google on your main keywords?

[Renee Barber]

Originally Posted by mexham

Hi Lucki,

thanks for your comments. Was generally my thoughts also, they all seem a bit dodgy!

Another quick question then.. In relation to google adwords, would anyone see any benefit in buying keyword ads if you already ranked highly (page one rank 1-4ish) in google on your main keywords?

Hi Mike

This will probably sound weird since I'm a webbie, but I'm also a marketer too. Now I don't know your target market and other specs, but my gut tells me that your money and effort might be better spent giving some targeted offline direct marketing a go.

What's that old saying? Oh yeah, don't put all your marketing eggs in one basket. ;-)

[mexham]

Thanks Renee, yes definitely that makes sense. My business partner is working more on the offsite side of things, so is looking into the offline marketing also. We are testing everything we try though, and this is allowing us to maintain/improve what is working and drop what isn't.

[Beech]

Hi mate,just wondering what your main keywords are because i didnt find you on 1st page.
Ah just found you on page 2 but no one really bothers to go that far.

It shouldnt be to hard to dominate 1st page as there are only 7k competing pages for Mexican Hammock.

Also 3 times the traffic click on the free side of google so concentrate there instead of PPC.

Also there is only 1000 searches last month in the USA for Mexican Hammocks.Not Many.And only 390 in Aus might be the reason for no traffic.
Do you rank for other keywords?

Darren

[mexham]

Hi Darren,

thanks for your response and those stats, really good.

Our number one keyword is 'hammock'. While we sell just Mexican Hammocks, not everyone knows about the different types of hammocks - Mexican, Brazilian, Nicaraguan, etc etc, so therefore most aren't going to specifically search the term 'Mexican Hammock'. We rank well for things like 'hammock australia', 'hammocks au' etc, and mexican blanket also.

So we are focusing on getting 'hammock' as far up the list as possible. Page one free listing in google obviously the goal.

The site has only been up since January and I think it is making good progress, up from non-existent to around page 13, as of now on page 8. Have been reading and applying tons of SEO info I've come across, so just a matter of continually working on it I think. If we are not right up there in a few months though, I have to look at other alternatives.

I heard that it is very hard to get good rankings especially in the first 6-12 months so have a bit of time for it to get established over winter. I think our site is a lot better, and has a lot more relavant info and content than most others on the first page, so hopefully that will eventually reflect through in the search rankings.

Cheers,
Mike

[Adam Randall]

Best thing to do is only submit to directories that make sense.

Google do not like paid links or paid directory placements as it undermines the way search engines should work.

I would recommend investing the money and time on the content of your site and let people link to you which will happen.

If you go to the business card design page of my web site, (I do not want to create a hammock page) you will find a link to an excel spreadsheet that lists 30 or 40 key phrases for hammocks in the top right hand side.

I am in the process of making a heap of demo keyphrase downloads for common vertical markets that may even be available tommorow (thats what I said a week ago....) that will list around 150 keyphrases for each one.

I am guessing I will get approximately 1 request for hammocks so I will not be doing a full keyword research on it unless someone pays me, but this list should get you where you want to go.