I found it exciting to think that I was helping my customers and at the same time I was making some money at it. My next Directory was The Sunrise, FL Business Directory (http://sunrisefla.com/) and it seemed to take off just as quickly as the first. I again purchased a license for PowerSeek and found the listings via the online Yellow Pages. Adding the Adsense ads to this site increased my revenue somewhat, so I started another.
Although the software was more than adequate to create quality Directory websites, I am always looking for something new. I found a php link Directory software at: http://www.phplinkdirectory.com/ This software doesn't have all the features of PowerSeek, but will create a Directory that allows reciprocal linking (which PowerSeek does not). Rather than create a new domain to try out this software, I simply added it to an exiting site located at: http://boat-directory.biz/directory/
The latest software that I purchased is from the same software author as above, but it's purpose is to create Regional Directories. So I purchased this and created a new Directory located at: http://regionaldirectory.biz
This Directory differs from the others by allowing two views of the site but only uses one mySQL database. Visitors can view the site in 'Normal' mode where you see the categories on the home page, or they can switch to 'Regional' mode. In this mode, you first select the Country, then State and see the various cities that have listings in them. Selecting the city gives you the listings by category for only the city you selected.
I like this software for several reasons: first, it is inexpensive: just $25.00. Secondly, it installs very easily simply by uploading the files to the server and using the web browser to complete the install. It uses one mySQL database. The other thing about this Directory is that it allows for either a paid listing or a reciprocal link back to your site. This software is brand new and can be purchased at: http://regionaldirectory.org
More later.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
My First Directory
As a web designer, I realized that one very important requirement was to get my customer's websites listed in the various search engines and Directory websites. The next logical step for me was to create my OWN Directory. Since I live in the city of Pembroke Pines, Florida I created The Pembroke Pines, FL Business Directory (http://pembrokepinesfla.com/).
I did this in a very crude way: using Front Page, I used the 'shared borders' to create the site. On the left was a list of the various categories, which in this case was the different professions. On the right, I placed links to various affiliate programs that I had joined. I then logged into the local yellow pages and did a search by profession of the businesses in Pembroke Pines, and added those to my Directory. It wasn't necessary for the business to have a website since I really wanted to list as many of the businesses as possible.
I found that in a short time, I was getting hits from the outside, and the site grew in popularity. And then Google entered into the scene! I signed up for an Adsense account, and found that not only was I getting hits on the listings, but on the ads as well.
I was still looking for a script of some kind to ease the administration of the site. I found a script from Focal Media called TurboSeek, and the NEW directory was born! This script made it easy to manage new submissions and send out the confirmation e-mails, but it still had some flaws.
When Focal Media came out with a better version called PowerSeek, I felt that I hit the motherload. The best thing about this software company (http://focalmedia.net) is that they listen to the customers and make upgrades to the software based on customer comments and wishes.
One thing that I didn't need was to have every listing contain a website address. They listened and took away the need to list one. I wanted to be able to offer 'Premium Listings' and they made this happen as well.
For me, the first Directory was the best thing I had ever done to generate hits for my customers. The next best thing was to create more Directories. More on that later.
I did this in a very crude way: using Front Page, I used the 'shared borders' to create the site. On the left was a list of the various categories, which in this case was the different professions. On the right, I placed links to various affiliate programs that I had joined. I then logged into the local yellow pages and did a search by profession of the businesses in Pembroke Pines, and added those to my Directory. It wasn't necessary for the business to have a website since I really wanted to list as many of the businesses as possible.
I found that in a short time, I was getting hits from the outside, and the site grew in popularity. And then Google entered into the scene! I signed up for an Adsense account, and found that not only was I getting hits on the listings, but on the ads as well.
I was still looking for a script of some kind to ease the administration of the site. I found a script from Focal Media called TurboSeek, and the NEW directory was born! This script made it easy to manage new submissions and send out the confirmation e-mails, but it still had some flaws.
When Focal Media came out with a better version called PowerSeek, I felt that I hit the motherload. The best thing about this software company (http://focalmedia.net) is that they listen to the customers and make upgrades to the software based on customer comments and wishes.
One thing that I didn't need was to have every listing contain a website address. They listened and took away the need to list one. I wanted to be able to offer 'Premium Listings' and they made this happen as well.
For me, the first Directory was the best thing I had ever done to generate hits for my customers. The next best thing was to create more Directories. More on that later.
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