Paid versus free listing?

There are literally 100’s of free directories out there, so you don’t have to pay.

The larger and more popular directories such as Yahoo do charge and dependent on your budget this may be worthwhile, particularly for e-commerce related sites.

Some free directories (my own):-

Allthebizz Smallerbizz

Best of luck!

This is what engines and directories DO read, these words and links are how engines interpret what's on this page. Images or pictures of words or "ads" are not "read" so-to-speak. Make this text content highly relevant to topic (product or service) on this page.

Tip: Put your fancy Flash commercial on a link from your homepage and put up a content relevant page of your best text instead! Visitors will still look at your commercial if you tell us it's cool, but don't force us to watch it! - That's not what we came for. This Flash file does almost nothing for search engines and directories.

Do: Have yourself or your professional staff write articles on their specific area of expertise in product or service. Make these articles a webpage with relevant links to product or service directly. Short of hiring a Search Engine Marketing Consultant or a Professional Copywriter, these detailed articles if rich and full of relevant content, are exact pages that will generate you most qualified and targeted visitor to your business! Once these 'article pages' are crawled (indexed) by search engines you will be pleasantly surprised to see that (now) you are a more relevant search result. (Not to be confused with 'links' or 'reciprocal linking programs' - your (article) webpages are much more "read" and effective in sending reader to your site, or keeping them there, not to mention branding opportunities)

These articles not only show your business as an authority, they prove it in words and information for reader, me, a human. These concise type articles are an excellent way to gain exposure, recognition (branding), traffic, and yes, even sales. You said you were an authority, now prove it.

Tip: Submit these articles to other online and offline publications and Ezine's. You make them available to other websites just for leaving your Author and link intact. There are businesses craving this type of content for their website's success! Your business website will begin receiving quality traffic from every website that posts your company's article(s)! Now there's a strong statement.

Do: Include your URL (www.) in every piece of material you print - every piece of traditional advertising you already pay for!

Every week I read through different newspapers and magazines - I can't believe how many businesses forget to put their web address in that Advertisement they paid for. You pay big bucks for a quarter page ad or whatever, and then never mention your website!?! Which is open 24/7/365 - and that Tribune is just around for two days! Start your marketing return on investment right there!

Tip: Offer a website only promotion or coupon in your Ads to generate further interest and traffic to your specific offer web pages!

Do: Ask visitors to "Bookmark your site" or "Tell a friend" or "Send this article to a friend"...

Your visitors don't always think of it, so just ask them? Bookmarks not only increase return visitors, but they also give you a vote of confidence in providing something worthwhile... even if that's a return trip! This does not have to be bold and obnoxious either, a simple button saying "Bookmark Us" will do on any business website.

Do: Be Patient. All search engines and directories have different timeframes for updates, changes and new submissions.

After making changes or additions to your site, allow 90 days after initial submission for realistic results to begin showing in major search engines and search directories. Owning your category online is more than just a few keywords. Don't just say you do all these things!

Do: Go and check! Tip: Go and check again!

Because if you do your best with these few suggestions - your website will show up higher in search results for those relevant terms you selected. You'll be hundreds of websites ahead, and getting more qualified visitors too.

There's much more to owning your category online, but every business should be employing these "level one" marketing concepts.

There, now we can stop imagining that search engines are perfect. Good Luck,

Written by and Copyright © Scott Sedwick http://www.hyperformancemedia.com

Scott is the Founder and Sr. Project Manager for Hyperformance Media, Inc. a website marketing firm since 1996, located just outside of Chicago, IL. Specifically, he has over 24 years of sales and marketing experience and accomplishment in the computer industry.