This article is dedicated to all the directory owners (who seem to be quite many since it’s a lucrative project if all done well). Let’s try and learn together the secret of making the directory take his first steps on the web.

You just created your directory. You have a nice domain for it, you downloaded a free script (phpLD, indexu or another one), maybe you even paid for it. Now it’s up and running. What do we do next?

1. We style it and install modifications

The first thing you need to do now is to try and style that directory. It easy to tweak the template. You can download a free skin for your directory, but I would still advise to try and style it the best you can. Installing a stock theme won’t make it look good enough: you need to make it look unique.

The best idea would be to design the template in Photoshop (or your image editor) and then slice it. It’s simple HTML and most of the time the directory template uses .tpl files (for those who styled phpBB, this is a ‘welcome home’ job).

2. Now that you have a unique looking skin it’s time to install some new features.

Free or paid the directory can be tuned up a bit more. I love installing new features on my scripts. Most of the time it’s easy business: you make modifications in the database (maybe), copy-paste some code in some files and upload some new ones. A hack installation shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes. And if you’re still reluctant now: try to see if you can do it. It sound scarier that it’s in the end. And any webmaster worth his salt and pepper SHOULD know how to install modifications on his/her scripts.

3. Let’s start some categories

Now there are mixed opinions in here. Some agree that it’s better to start with few categories. This way it’s easier for you to make it look popular enough and not have empty categories. On the other hand some might argue that it’s a good idea to have all categories split at first so that you won’t waste time moving links after you expand.

I have started both ways and it worked OK. In the end it’s your choice.

4. Put there some links

VERY IMPORTANT. A zero link directory WON’T attract people. No one likes empty sites or directories, this is the same for your directory too. Look for some sites you like and enter them. Try to not leave any category empty. Even 10-20 links in a category is already a good start.

5. Let others submit now

Do you have some friends? Well, it’s time to use them to their full potential. And members of the family and other people who are willing to help.

TRICK: another good way to make people submit is to actually open threads in many many webmaster forums. Many people are still looking to quality directories (even if small and at the beginning) so this will also help you build more links.

6. Do you have a directory? Well, time to promote in other directories too.

While working on the link submissions and promotion in webmaster forums it’s also time to promote in other directories. If you are on a niche, make sure you promote in similar directories. Promote in the big ones and small ones too. Look for PR and “clean” links. A “nofollow” link won’t help you too much, but sometimes such directories are OK because of the traffic.

7. Make sure you keep the quality up. Don’t use nofollow on links: no one likes such directories anymore, don’t ask for reciprocal, don’t put paid links just yet. Offer FREE quality links and if you want that directory to succeed keep a free link form as much as you can. A huge directory will always have more succes.

I hope these small things do help you into kick starting your directory. If done properly it should get some traffic from day one and also links. And then you wait for the next PR update