With new Yahoo! "Pay-For-Review" model it might be relatively easier for sites to get into directory but getting traffic from your listing is altogether a different story. And now with it's new annual recurring payment policy you have to be extra careful while submitting your site for a review.

Here are 8 things to keep in mind while submitting your site to Yahoo!

1) Selecting your domain name is most vital step in getting a top ranking in Yahoo! and also other directories like Dmoz and Looksmart.

Make sure your domain name is "Keyword Rich". You can make your domain keyword rich by simply inserting hyphens to separate words in your domain name. Yahoo! gives more relevance to sites with keywords in their domain name.

Take our domain name for example: http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com/

It is made up of 4 different high-in-demand keywords: "Home Based Business", "Home Business", "Home Business Opportunities", "Home Based Business Opportunities".

While crafting your domain name, even you should try to keep your domain name such that it is made up of one, 2-4 words main or "parent" keyword; which in turn is made up of 2-4 high-in-demand "child" keywords.

You may or may not get a top ranking for all your targeted keywords but you can be sure of getting one for your main or "parent" keyword (If you do everything else right).

Even if you have to get a separate domain name for this purpose, GET IT! It is absolutely crucial for your ranking.

2) Sites which are placed higher in directory structure are given more relevance than sites which are placed lower or deeper.

For example a site listed in category - B2B/Business_Opportunities will be given more relevance than a site listed in category - B2B/Business_Opportunities/Directories

Here's a great tip to select most trafficked category for your website...

Once you have short-listed 2 or 3 category to place your site in to, check out cost of Sponsor Listings of those categories.

It's really simple. Visit following URL: https://ecom.yahoo.com/fast/sponsor

Enter URL of any website that is listed in your desired category (The URL should be same as it appears in Yahoo! and category should be a commercial category).

-----SIDEBAR----- Please note that Yahoo! accepts Sponsor Listings for only certain commercial categories and so this tip may or may not work for your category. -----SIDEBAR-----

By Robin Nobles

If you're serious about having a successful online business, you need to spend some time studying search engines and how they operate.

Why? Because comparatively speaking, search engine marketing is generally much less expensive than traditional forms of advertising, which certainly appeals to those of us with low (or no!) advertising budgets. Also, reach you can gain through a successful search engine marketing campaign can be extraordinary.

But, how can you learn search engine marketing strategies? People learn in many different ways.

* Some folks prefer to dig for information themselves, hunting all over Web hoping to find reliable and trustworthy information. Search Engine Guide (http://www.searchengineguide.com) is an excellent place to start, because site posts articles written by experts in industry.

* Other people like online classes, such as those offered through a reputable company like Academy of Web Specialists (http://www.onlinewebtraining.com), where they can learn in comfort of their own homes with a trusted instructor. As you probably know, I've taught online classes through Academy for years.

* Still others like to attend large conferences where they can sit and listen to experts in industry offer their advice on particular topics. In my opinion, Search Engine Strategies conferences (http://seminars.internet.com) are second to none, and I've served on panels at almost all of them.

* However, still others want to learn on location with more of a hands-on approach. Until now, there has never been an actual "hands on" workshop designed to build your expertise in person. These people want to meet instructors in person and have opportunity for personal, one-on-one interaction about their particular Web sites and their unique challenges.

So, this is why Search Engine Workshops.com (http://www.searchengineworkshops.com) was formed, a joint venture by John Alexander and Robin Nobles.

When you attend one of our workshops, you'll bring your laptop and your "Web site" with you. You'll actually be doing exercises that will help you become a more effective search engine marketer.

For example:

* Do you have a difficult time choosing keywords that really work for your business or your clients? John Alexander, one of leading authorities in use of WordTracker, will demonstrate ways to use WordTracker that you've never considered.

* Do you have a difficult time writing Web site content? I'm a professional writer and author, and I'll be working with you on how to create Web site content that will appeal to your human audience.