Site Watch

Often when I’m developing a new website, I’ll look to submit it to web directories to help try and raise it’s profile online.

However, there’s a ton of directories out there, most of which are pretty worthless for most intents and purposes.

So targeting a web directory that offers best potential is a real concern for me.

Here are some of the web directories I most commonly use for submitting sites - some of which are free, some of which require a fee for a listing:

1. DMOZ

The king of directories, a DMOZ listing will be widely syndicated on the internet, and probably has the largest human user base of any.

Getting listed in main categories these days is incredibly hard, so if you want a DMOZ listing, it’s often best to look at getting listed in a local/regional section than a major category for speed of inclusion.

http://dmoz.org

2. Yahoo! Directory

The Yahoo! Directory is one of the most expensive online directories, but if you have the budget for it is still worth considering.

It’s also worth pointing out that being listed in the Yahoo! Directory doesn’t guarantee any ranking benefits in Yahoo! Search, but as the Yahoo! Directory pages often rank well in search engines, you may yet get some real traffic from it.

http://dir.yahoo.com/

3. JoaAnt

The JoeAnt Directory is one of the most established - and biggest - independent directories.

Although it costs a bit to submit, I still have JoeAnt high on my list, and usually submit my sites to it.

http://www.joeant.com/

4. Gimpsy

Gimpsy is another of the big independents, and has a curiously different way of allowing you to search for listings.

I still submit here, but tend to get promotional offers periodically from each listing which is a minor annoyance, but quite bearable.

http://www.gimpsy.com/ 

5. Wow Directory

The Wow Directory is another of the big independent directories, though relatively more recent than some of the others listed here.

It’s since grown to attach other features such as a blog, news, and resources.

http://www.wowdirectory.com/

6. Best of the Web

Another directory that’s powered ahead to develop a name for itself, Botw is another directory with a recurring fee for a listing, so I tend not to submit everything here.

Still, it’s one to consider for those more serious development projects.

http://botw.org/

7. Platinax Directory

This is another relatively newer directory but with the slant of being more UK based, which means it’s on my home turf.

Additionally, like the Wow Directory, it allows a single listing to appear on multiple regional categories, such as local, national, and international - which is a nice way to get extra exposure.

http://www.platinax.co.uk/directory/

8. Massive Links

Another of the newer directories, it also has a pretty simple design which makes it really easy to use for users.

What’s nice about Massive Links is that it manages to be big without overcrowding the listings, which makes it especially attractive for listing a site.

http://www.massivelinks.com/

9. 192 Directory

Another of the longer established directories, I like 192 because it tends to have a strong presence on search engines for local search results.

This means that a listing on the 192 Directory really can bring in traffic, making a paid listing worthwhile.

http://www.192directory.co.uk/

10. Site Sift

Another of the newer directories which has pushed on developing a presence for itself online.

A nice touch about the Site Sift directory is that it does offer the choice of recurring or one-time fees.

http://www.site-sift.com/

I’ve spent the past few years online trying to get to grips with webmastering - web development, design, coding, etc.

There are some great communities out there that really help get you get started, and I’ve found that different commuities have different flavours - and that some are better specialised in some areas than in others.

Overall, I’ve found it most useful to join a few different forums and become an active part in them - taking and giving advice, and generally using them as an excellent online reading resource.

In no particular order, here are some of the forums I’ve joined and been a part of:

1. WebmasterWorld

Probably the most famous webmaster forum out there, and famously the only place you could ask questions and receive answers from actual search engine staff.

However, search engines now have staff across a number of different forums now, and the moderating policy at WebmasterWorld can feel very unfriendly at times.

Still, some of the most experienced webmasters still post there, but there tends to be more people asking questions, than providing answers, these days.

http://www.webmasterworld.com

2. DigitalPoint Forums

Shawn Hogan’s DigitalPoint forums have really grown in strength, not least because he provides a ton of really useful webmaster tools.

There’s a lot of good information on the forums, and it’s pretty much on the pulse of what’s happening.

http://forums.digitalpoint.com

3. Sitepoint

Sitepoint is another of the giants of webmaster forums. Although it’s grown something of a reputation for being more corporate these days, it’s still a great resource.

The webdevelopment section is a particular strength, and I’ve learned some nice XHTML tips there.

http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/

4. DaniWeb

The Daniweb forums are very much rooted in webdevelopment from a coding and programming point of view. This is a particular strength as coding issues can be the most difficult to deal with.

There’s quite a range of subject areas, but it does cover design and marketing subjects as well as specialist coding areas.

http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/

5. Webmaster Talk

Another general webmastering forum, covering general webdevelopment and webmastering issues.

I’ve got to admit, I’ve not been a regular visitor here, but as with many places, there’s help at hand if you know where to look.

http://www.webmaster-talk.com/

6. v7n

v7n is a forum run by John Scott, a sometimes controversial figure on the web. His forums are a useful resource, though, and there are some nice gems on the board if you know where to look.

http://www.v7n.com/forums/

7. The Admin Zone

If you’re every looking to set up an online forum yourself, somewhere like The Admin Zone can be invaluable.

While it doesn’t tend to cover general webdevelopment issues in as much depth as dedicated webmaster forums, if you are a webmaster setting up a forum, it could be invaluable.

http://www.theadminzone.com/forums/ 

8. The Online Developer

One thing I’ve found is that larger forums tend to have more people asking questions than providing answers. So recently I’ve been looking out for smaller forums, as they are often run by entrepreneurs who can provide one-on-one advice.

The Online Developer doesn’t even approach the size and scope of many of the other webmaster forums listed here, but it has a nice small community feel, with a lot more signal to noise.

http://www.theonlinedeveloper.com/

9. Web Design Forums.net

This is a much more graphics and design orientated wemaster forum, which is great if you really want to push on exploring layout and design issues in more depth.

Again, I’ve not used this forum much recently, but I remember joining when it was still small and got some really useful tips from it, so is still recommended.

http://www.webdesignforums.net

10. Cre8asite

The Cre8asite forums are probably the best small webmaster forums out there. Signal to noise ratio is pretty high, and there are some incredibly experienced and knowledgable people on the site.

I can’t say I’m too keen on the design, but if it’s good solid information you want then the Cre8asite forums are one of the best - and one of the best kept secrets on the net.

http://www.cre8asiteforums.com/forums/

I’m currently looking to start investing on the stock market, but before I do anything I’m making sure I do plenty of research.

I’ve already bought a couple of books on investing (more on those later) and also been reading a number of websites over the past few months.

So far, these have been the most helpful - and useful - references for me in terms of investment forums, in no particular order:

1. MoneyTec

A forum covering all aspects of investments and investing. A number of the forums are closed to public viewing, though, so you’ll have to join to see if any of these are useful for you.

http://www.moneytec.com/forums/index.php

2. Forex Factory

Forex factory - as the name suggests - focuses on foreign exchange, so-called “forex”. Be aware that forex is one of the high risk/gain investment areas, so tread very carefully in making forex investment decisions.

http://www.forexfactory.com/forexforum/

3. Motley Fool

One of the biggest money and investment sites out there, but unfortunately it’s not free to surf their forums without signing up for a free membership. Not ideal in terms of accessibility, but probably worth a look anyway.

http://boards.fool.com/Index.aspx?source=LN

4. Silicon Investor

Another custom forum, that has more in common with Usenet Newsgroups than vbulletin/phpbb, etc, but again, if you’re looking for information you may find something useful here.

http://www.siliconinvestor.com/

5. Trade2Win

Another pretty big vbulletin forum, and one of the biggest here, Trade2Win has a very comprehensive set of discussion boards, but you’ll also have to register to read the threads.

http://www.trade2win.com/boards/index.php

6. Finance Markets boards

One of the smallest forums listed here, but with an emphasis on investing from a UK perspective, it covers an interesting niche.

http://www.financemarkets.co.uk/boards/

7. TalkStock

This one looks a bit too much like Usenet groups in that there seems to be little moderating in play here, but again, I figure a resource is a resource, and it may prove useful if you look.

http://talkstock.com/

8. StockHouse

Stockhouse has two sets of forums - free public use ones, and private member only forums. Both seem fairly well used on what seems an otherwise busy investors site.

http://www.stockhouse.com/bullboards/

9. Market Forum

Another site that looks like Usenet, except that instead of a lot of spam, you get a lot of ads posted as messages. Once you navigate past those, some interesting discussions to be read.

http://www.marketforum.com/

10. Superior Investor

The sloppy presentation hides an otherwise active and interesting investment forum, which has some interesting regular posters covering general investment topics.

http://www.superiorinvestor.net