Most of your points raised are essential elements needed now and in the future for innovative directories

Thanks again

You hit the nail on the head with this one. Good write up.

Creating additional services around your directories sends a very clear message to your site visitors and potential advertisers. It is telling them that you mean business, you understand what they want and you want to provide the most value to your visitors and advertisers.

been saying that for a long time

For example, Start a blog and start doing small but accurate reviews on sites that are submitted. Complement the site reviews with product reviews that some of your listing sites may be selling. Remember to sign up for their affiliate program, if they have one, and when you do your review make sure to include your affiliate link when referencing the site. Do remember, that not all reviews need to be positive. A product you may dislike others my actually find value in.

Richie PM me for more ideas.

Raje:
I do not mention specific sites as I try to illustrate what I am conveying through the sample in my writings. I learned a long time ago that it is difficult for people to think a little out of the box, and as such I do not sight specific examples as I do not want to encourage people to duplicate another’s hard work. That being said, I gladly share examples of companies, who are large corporations and have little to worry about. Visit www.alibaba.com for a little example and twist on what I was referring to.

Steven:
Yes, they are definitely moving in the right direction but still have a little ways to go. Will be interesting to see if Aviva really endorses the idea of a vertical and push the other directories to follow suite.

I’ve been working on a niche directory site recently and just kind of stumbled on this article. Very good information. I’d be interested to get an opinion on if my idea is headed in the right direction or not. I am genuinely trying to create useful content - so hopefully I can make it happen somehow.

http://24hourmadison.com

Thanks!

I would suggest that you include a little more information on the businesses you are showcasing. Perhaps take a little bit of time and as time permits interview the business owner and get some additional information. Another strategy could be to approach each business and solicit from them coupons that you can add to your directory that users can redeem for savings.

Good Luck and keep at it!

Thanks!

Thanks for the suggestions! My highest priority is, like you said, including more information about each business. I think that will help everyone involved. I am in the processes now of personally contacting each business through a post card campaign with follow up phone calls.

My biggest problem is market size. This approach is going to work well in Madison, as the total number of businesses is low enough it can be easily handled by my small team. But that low market size limits the audience and potential revenue.

The next Metro I hope to move to is Chicago, where I am already compiling data. But that market size is so large it’s going to be much more difficult to handle in the same one-on-one way.

Time will tell.

Just setting out launching several of my own directories and found your advice both useful and inspiring.

Never really thought about the niche market. Will be sure to move in that direction with my next directories.

Thank you for the advice.

If we & all the dir owners follow this then all can make money…. But….

For a very long time we have been adding value to any directory that we run. That is why we have directories that get 4,000 uniques per day.

All of our directories have a blog that also runs news and articles our teams write.

In addition, we have other pieces that we are adding over the next few months.

Remember, Yahoo was just a directory when it started. Adding content made it into a company.