Say Hi to a newbie

Netpreneur · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 05:18 PM

Hi,

A directory-owner newbie here (*not exactly an owner, just doing some research and learning before getting my hands dirty)

Greeting to every directory owner here!

By the way, what advice would you give me before I start my own directory?
I've been doing some research and planning (i.e. what sort of directories to build, which script to use, etc).

I've been a webmaster/web developer for the last 5 years, and I think it's time to get into the directory business

TC · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 07:53 PM

Hi and welcome Netpreneur! Glad you found our lil home on the web.

My advice to your questions:

1. Get a niche - don't be a generalist (too many of those polluting the www already)
2. Script - this is my opinion and the way I look at which directory script to use: There are a select few dir scripts that are very popular as compared to all the others. Relate it to Ford Chevy Toyota Dodge cars. I am not biased toward any particular brand. I look at what's available as compared to what I want (looks, style, drive, features, comfort, MPG, and obviously price). I use all these factors to decide. I could careless what brand it is as long as it has what I want and I know I can get mechanical support should it break.

On the other hand...you have die hards whom like one brand for whatever their reason may be. You have others whom go for the priciest, others go for brands because they are "name queens".

It all boils down to your personal preference. So just because you see the majority of the folks using a certain type of script, or because a certain type of script has more mods...be realistic about your choice. For example...all those mods....who really uses them all? It';s certainly not average users surfing your page. It's either you personally or teh other dir owners whom submit to your site.

Anyway...I could go off on a tirate about this one.....just use your own wise judgement and don't be persuaded by the peanut gallery!

tom

solidghost · #3 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 08:00 PM

I agree with number 1. It's very important nowadays. But if you are still planning to go the general web directory route, you should be prepared to spend a lot of money and effort to promote your site.

sfod_d223 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 08:16 PM

Hello and welcome to the forum.

sizzler_chetan · #5 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 08:29 PM

Hello and welcome to the forums Netpreneur

BTW MGS gave some good points there and you would find many good points when you browse through the forums also

MGS · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC

just use your own wise judgement and don't be persuaded by the peanut gallery!

tom

Rofl, (peanut gallery).

Seriously though, I think enough said in your post there Tom, great advice that everyone should follow.

-MGS-

Netpreneur · #7 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC

Hi and welcome Netpreneur! Glad you found our lil home on the web.

My advice to your questions:

1. Get a niche - don't be a generalist (too many of those polluting the www already)
2. Script - this is my opinion and the way I look at which directory script to use: There are a select few dir scripts that are very popular as compared to all the others. Relate it to Ford Chevy Toyota Dodge cars. I am not biased toward any particular brand. I look at what's available as compared to what I want (looks, style, drive, features, comfort, MPG, and obviously price). I use all these factors to decide. I could careless what brand it is as long as it has what I want and I know I can get mechanical support should it break.

On the other hand...you have die hards whom like one brand for whatever their reason may be. You have others whom go for the priciest, others go for brands because they are "name queens".

It all boils down to your personal preference. So just because you see the majority of the folks using a certain type of script, or because a certain type of script has more mods...be realistic about your choice. For example...all those mods....who really uses them all? It';s certainly not average users surfing your page. It's either you personally or teh other dir owners whom submit to your site.

Anyway...I could go off on a tirate about this one.....just use your own wise judgement and don't be persuaded by the peanut gallery!

tom

Hi everyone, thanks for the warm and friendly welcome (I think I'll be sticking around here for a while).

Point 1, is what came across my mind when I went through from one directory to another, I thought what the heck are all these rubbish (especially the very general directories, ones that seem to very ordinary). I mean, for the novice general Internet users, they would just leave the site at first glance if they come across such a general directory site (I doubt this group of users would not even bother to click on any links if they see dmoz

)

When talking about niche, I quickly become reminded of the marketing lesson I learn from college years ago. The 5 P's (product, price, placement, promotion and period). I wonder if this is useful when it comes to choosing what sort of directory to build.

Point 2, you're so right. Any how, frankly speaking, after done my research so far, I'm now leaning more toward these script phpld, esyndicat, and phpmydirectory.

I have a quick question I'd like to ask though. What would be the ideal script to use that can be easily integrated with wordpress or cms like joomla? Has anyone tried to integrate their directory script with a blog/cms successfully?

Billy · #8 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 05:26 AM

Hello and Welcome to the forums.

I thought there is a directory module for both Wordpress and Joomla? I think porting any of the scripts wouldn't be too hard, although it may cost some $$$ unless you know someone that would be willing to do the job for you.

MGS · #9 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Netpreneur

Hi everyone, thanks for the warm and friendly welcome (I think I'll be sticking around here for a while).

Point 1, is what came across my mind when I went through from one directory to another, I thought what the heck are all these rubbish (especially the very general directories, ones that seem to very ordinary). I mean, for the novice general Internet users, they would just leave the site at first glance if they come across such a general directory site (I doubt this group of users would not even bother to click on any links if they see dmoz

)

When talking about niche, I quickly become reminded of the marketing lesson I learn from college years ago. The 5 P's (product, price, placement, promotion and period). I wonder if this is useful when it comes to choosing what sort of directory to build.

Point 2, you're so right. Any how, frankly speaking, after done my research so far, I'm now leaning more toward these script phpld, esyndicat, and phpmydirectory.

I have a quick question I'd like to ask though. What would be the ideal script to use that can be easily integrated with wordpress or cms like joomla? Has anyone tried to integrate their directory script with a blog/cms successfully?

Your sort of contradicting yourself Netpreneur, point 2 scripts are the biggest offenders of creating what you call rubbish general directories. Research I did showed the more powerful scripts have concentrated on niche markets but they are a lot more expensive.

Ive been beta testing phplynx for them and know for a fact that they have succesfully created a bridge for joomla and encorperated wordpress into their full script, whether they will release this to the GP I dont know.

Good luck on whatever script you choose, Im sure youll do fine.

-MGS-

TC · #10 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy

Hello and Welcome to the forums.

I thought there is a directory module for both Wordpress and Joomla? I think porting any of the scripts wouldn't be too hard, although it may cost some $$$ unless you know someone that would be willing to do the job for you.

yep..I know there is a Joomla dir script..name slips my mind...but I run it on one my sites. does pretty good....no complaints here. Not sure about WP though.

tom