Setting Up A Web Directory In 5 Easy Steps

In this article I will show you how to setup a web directory in a few and easy to follow steps. You don’t need special programming skills to do this and in a couple of hours you will have a brand new web directory. Just read and follow the next steps:

1)  If you don’t have already a domain name and hosting, purchase a domain name and a hosting solution. If you plan to launch many directories, you should consider signing up for a reseller account. Hostgator is the best when it comes to reseller plans. Also remember not to choose the cheapest solution out there.
Before buying a domain, you should choose your domain name carefully, according to what kind of directory you want to setup.
For example, if you want to build a real estate directory, you might consider using keywords like ‘real estate’, ‘property’ and ‘directory’ in your domain name. This way people will know this is a real estate directory and not an adult related one.

2) If you are not a skilled programmer and you are not able to make a custom directory script, you need to buy one or choose a free one. The most popular paid script is phplinkdirectory (better known as phpld). It costs just 25 USD if you keep the owner’s link in the footer of your directory. Another well known paid script is Esyndicat.
As a free directory script I recommend Lynx Directory. Is easy to use and most of all is free.
3) Next you will need to build or find a free template and customize it to look the way you want. For the PHPLD script there are many free templates available and with basics graphic and coding skills, you can turn it in a nice web directory.  Or you can hire someone to customize it the way you want. To use a free template you must leave intact the links in the footer pointing to the template sponsor and the link to the template builder. Don’t forget to use the template version made for the phpld version you bought. Otherwise you will encounter many problems and bugs and you will need some programming skills to fix them.

4) Before launching the web directory, make as many tests as possible. Submit a few websites and watch out for bugs and errors. Also you should get used with the administration section of the directory. From there you will add and change the categories and subcategories, approve, edit or delete the submitted websites, and many more things.
 
5) At this stage, you will be the proud owner of just another web directory. To make a difference and have a well known and respected directory, you will need to promote it.
The easiest way is to submit your directory to other web directories offering free submissions. Or you could invest money and submit to paid directories.  I’m afraid you will need to discover by yourself all the other possible methods to promote and further develop your web directory.

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