The Web's Secret Traffic Source - the Open Directory ProjectWritten by Alan Grissett
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Because ODP is an Open Source initiative, listings and search engine software are freely available for other portals and search sites to use. In fact, ODP listings are used by over 200 other sites and directories, including AOL Search, AT&T WorldNet, Netscape.com, and to a certain extent, Google.com. This greatly extends possible exposure of a Web site with a listing in ODP, and makes it a must have listing for any site that's serious about building traffic.
Alan is the lead developer for InfoServe Media, LLC (http://www.infoservemedia.com/), a Web development company that specializes in Web site design, hosting, domain name registration, and promotion for small businesses.
| | How to Submit to the Open Directory Project (ODP)Written by Alan Grissett
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more specific category you submit to, more targeted your traffic will be. After finding right category to submit to, click "add URL" link at top of page that category is presented on. The add URL page has three mandatory fields and one optional field to fill out in order to submit a site. The first field is "Site URL" field, and site's URL should be entered here exactly as it will appear in directory. The second field is "Title of Site" field. For this field, your company or organization name should most likely be used, but if possible try to throw in a keyword or two. For example, if name of my hypothetical business above is "No More Tickets", I would do well to add phrase, "Defensive Driving School" to end of it. The reason for this is that search results for ODP are based on keywords in title and description (and to a certain extent in URL, e.g. http://www.keyword-keyword-keyword.com/). With this in mind, try to add some keywords when filling out last field as well, "Site Description".The site review and addition process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on amount of submissions to that category and category editor's responsiveness. It is slow process, but it's definitely worth wait if you get a listing in ODP.
Alan is the lead developer for InfoServe Media, LLC (http://www.infoservemedia.com/), a Web development company that specializes in Web site design, hosting, domain name registration, and promotion for small businesses.
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