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Step 2 - Submit to Quality Directories
 What's a directory?
The type of directory we're concerned with here is one which categorizes clusters of website links by subject matter. Since a web directory is not a search engine, it doesn't go through the crawling and indexing process based on algorithms that we discussed back in Part 2.
Rather, directories allow you to submit your site for inclusion in a relevant category (or categories) and editors will review your listing to ensure that all guidelines have been followed. Here's a quick look at types and facets of web directories out there:
- Free directory – there is no charge for site submission, review, and listing of the site
- Paid directory – a one-time or recurring fee is assessed for review and listing
- Reciprocal directory – a link back to the directory is required for your site to get listed; ignore reciprocal directories because it's gray hat SEO and they actually do little to nothing for your positioning
- Bid for position directory – the placement of your site's link is based on how much you bid
- Featured listing – your website's link is given a premium position in a category (or categories) within the directory
 Why submit to a "quality" directory?
One reason is to jumpstart your site's organic positioning with some inlinks. More...
Another reason for submitting to directories is to tap into another traffic source. More...
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Note that the green line indicating directory listings shows how you'll get a smaller amount of visitors to your site but, on average, it will sustain a consistent level of traffic over time while also helping to improve your organic rankings.
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 Avoid Automated URL Submission Services
We emphasize the term "quality" because your inlinks must carry significance because they count as a vote of confidence for your website. You should NOT take the shotgun approach to directory submissions and try to get listed in any and every directory possible by paying for some cheap automated service. Here's why. More...
 Tips for Submitting to Quality Directories
- Check to see if your top competitors have listings in reputable directories with Yahoo! Site Explorer
- Find a relevant category for your site and observe the title and listing descriptions of your competitors
- You want to be lumped in there with your competition because your aim is to differentiate your site from the pack
 Submit Your Site to Quality Directories
Though there are other quality directories out there, we don't want to overwhelm you at the outset so we assembled Endo SEO's Top 10 Free & Paid Quality Directories. From our research and testing, links from these sites will improve your rankings in the Big Four search engines.
1. DMOZ - free
2. Yahoo! Directory - paid
3 - 10.
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An important caveat is that the free directories typically do not have fast turnaround when it comes to listing your site. These are human-edited directories with volunteers working hard to keep up on the influx of new sites pouring in each day. Seriously, a listing in DMOZ is quite significant for your positioning but it will take at least one year to get listed.
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On the other hand, in the Yahoo! Directory, you'll have to pay a fee of $299/yr. but you'll get listed much faster; however, keep in mind that it's NOT guaranteed that you'll be in the directory even if you pay. So, follow these guidelines before pulling the trigger on paid directories.
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