So your looking at starting a web directory. Where do i start is a question i see posted many times around the internet. Firstly you need a great domain name ideally related to directories i use namecheap for my domains but there is hundreds of others to choose from.
Next you need to get a good host one you can rely on i recommend Hostgator as a starting point. Well once you have your domain and your hosting all you need is a directory script and you can get your site setup, but which script do you choose. In this post i have listed many of the more popular scripts and a few details and features for each one.
Phpld ~ Probably the most popular script for web directories. Comes with 3 options to get started, free script, $25 with link back or $75 with no link back. The free script although good enough to get you going is not the most upto date version and i would thoroughly recommend the $25 option for the latest version you can always upgrade to have the link back removed at a later date.
Phpld comes with many great features already built in, but also has the most mods available to improve your directory from sponsor ads to the very popular deeplink feature. Another plus for this script is the hundreds of free templates that can be found around the net.
eSyndiCate ~ another very popular directory scriptthat comes with 4 options to get you started. Single license $75, 5 License $199, 10 licences $299 or the unlimited license for just $499.
eSyndiCate comes with many built in features from featured listings to most popular links. There is also a great list of additional plugins available with easy installation. Templates can also be purchased to improve the look and feel of your directory.
Site-Sift ~ This script is totally free and has some fantastic features such as static pages. There is an option to remove the copyright from the script for $59.95
The script comes with many great built in features, One click SEO friendly URL’s, Coupons, Ready to use for 2CheckOut payments and many more there is also a range of templates available.
Phplynx ~ This is one of the newest directory scripts and is growing into a very popular choice. Phplynx is free which is another added bonus.
With many built in features such as static pages, Built in newsletter and ban words options this script needs to be considered as a probable script for your directory. Templates for this script are few and far between at the moment but are slowly starting to appear.
Phpmydirectory ~ is focused on developing the multi-purpose, powerful, full-featured and secure Business Directory script based on PHP scripting language and mySQL database as a backend. Comes with 3 purchase options, Single license $99.95, 3 domain licence $189.84 and 10 domain licence $499.50
Some of the great features of this directory include Maps, image gallery and pdf export for listings.
So these are just some of the most popular scripts availble and are widely used. So now you have your script and your hosting now what. Well once your site is set up and you have made any modifactions you need to promote your directory and build its backlinks.
Start with announcing your new directory on webmaster forums this will get you started with submisions. Build the backlinks to your directory by submitting to other web directories there are plenty of free directories out there although i highly recommend you submit to paid directories as well. There are hundreds of other ways to promote and build your directories this is just the basics to get you started.
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#1 by Jomark Osabel on December 17th, 2007
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Its really a good articles for beginners trying to get into web directory business. Hope you have included the pros and cons of each directory script you have mentioned.
#2 by hlq on December 17th, 2007
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Interesting article and a good primer for those looking to get into running a directory. When I first started http://www.directory-king.com it was a struggle, I wish I would have had an article like this to refer to.
Good Luck
hlq
#3 by Sharat Jaswal on December 18th, 2007
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Interesting article for sure.
However you should append something more to article other than server or scripts.
Mods could be a nice addition, plus content plus promotion.
But sill it’s an informative article.
Good work