Five things to look for in an article directory
If you are interested in article marketing, it is not enough to write good articles. They also need to be accepted by the proper directories. But not all article directories are the same. Here are five things to look for when submitting your articles to online directories.
High rankings. There is no point submitting articles to a directory that will not generate traffic. One of the benefits of posting to article directories is driving traffic to your website through the links in the author resource box.
Do a keyword search in your niche. Most likely, at least some of the results are from article directories. What directories usually appear the most? Higher ranking article directories will give you the highest possible visibility for your time. If the directory you’re considering isn’t showing up in search engine queries, it’s probably not worth submitting.
Page rank. Another benefit of article directories is the inbound link from the author’s resource box. For the best effect, you should link to your site using a keyword that you want to rank as link text, not something generic like “my site.” Search engines notice the words that are used to link to your site, and a link from a highly ranked site carries more weight than one from a site with a low page rank. The site with the highest page rank can offer more valuable links.
Standards. Does the article directory have an editorial policy? If so, it is good news and bad news. It is bad, because it means that your articles will not be seen immediately after you send them; there will be a delay period while the editors approve your writing. It is also good, because it means that the directory pays attention to what is being submitted and is not allowed to degenerate into a spam promotion site.
Recommendations. What are other people saying about the article directories you are considering? Visit some search marketing forums and ask for recommendations. If your directory is highly regarded by people who have some experience in article marketing, you are probably safe to post there.
Statistics. Check what kind of functions the directory offers to authors. Do they allow you to track your traffic and click-through rate with detailed statistics? Do you allow publishers to publish your site as long as they include your links and your signature? Do you offer article distribution? It’s hard to believe, but some directories don’t offer any of these benefits. Before posting, see what extras are available.
Article marketing is all about volume. The more articles you publish, the more successful you will be. And the better the directory you choose, the harder your articles will be on you. Use these tips and you can choose the right directory for your article marketing campaign.