Internet Directories

A directory is a large database or catalog of various information regarding different issues and topics. When one thinks of a directory, what automatically comes to mind is a telephone directory in which it contains a list of telephone numbers arranged alphabetically. But when it comes to the Internet, there are also directories that contain not lists of telephone numbers but a list of different topics sorted out according to the categories and subcategories. Listing topics as such helps Internet users make use of the directory in a fast and organized manner.

Benefits of Directories

Directories offer a lot of benefits not only to the Internet users but to those people who own websites and do business over the Internet. For businessmen, when listed with a good directory, they find increased traffic, thus, increased business potentials. For Internet users, as stated above, directories are a great help for them in searching for the topic that they need. They do not have to look for it randomly as they are listed in categories and subcategories, thus, making the search much easier.

When listed with a good directory, it can increase your ranking in search engines. It also gives you the benefit of linking with other prominent websites, provided that your web content is similar to theirs.

Kinds of Directories

There are mainly two kinds of directories: the paid and the free directory.

As the name implies, paid directories require people who want to have their websites listed in the directory to pay a fee. But before the website is listed, it has to go through its editors where the editors check for website content and relevance. Once the website content passed, it is then listed in its appropriate category or subcategory. Websites that are listed in the paid directories often gets more relevant and better traffic. Also, with paid directories, your website gets linked to other prominent websites that are of similar topic to yours. This, in turn, can increase your Page Rank or ranking in search engines.

Free directories, on the other hand, are obviously free. Website owners need not pay for their sites to be listed in the directory, but like paid directories, it also has to go through the editors of the directory before it gets listed. The directory of this kind also tends to get much more traffic than does the paid directory. One disadvantage though with free directories is that you also get more spam.