How to Properly Submit a DMOZ Listing

A lot of people want to get listed on DMOZ.org (Open Directory Project). Why? Because Google likes DMOZ. What weight this has on your PageRank isn't precisely known. But, it certainly can't hurt. The last thing that you want to do, is submit incorrectly. You could only hope that they delete it quickly so you can resubmit. You don't want to double submit or you can be blacklisted. Sometimes you'll need to wait 6 months to 1 year to resubmit. I had to rate this how-to as Challenging because although it's very easy to submit perfectly, it's still very difficult to get in.

This is due to the fact that unpaid volunteers decide at their own discretion if you're added or not. And although it's difficult to become a DMOZ Editor and I'm sure that most are very respectable. The sad truth is that there are some shady Editors looking to benefit themselves and they might even be competitors in there. Not to mention simple human error and that depending on what industry you're in, you're probably in line behind thousands of people. But, if you're going to have a chance at all you need to submit properly. Good Luck!

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Internet
• Real Website (no social or blog profiles)

1. First, you'll want to go to: http://www.dmoz.org/ and then search what field your business is in. I'm going to use an example company for these instructions; Lucky Moving Company
   
   I'm going to search: moving companies
   
   You want to narrow it down as much as you can, it didn't take me long to narrow it down to: http://www.dmoz.org/Business/Business_Services/Corporate_Relocation/Moving_Companies/

2. Now, up in the top right area, you'll find the link; "suggest URL", click on it. Now, I recommend going over the instructions: http://dmoz.org/add.html and read the additional instruction on the "Submit a Site to the Open Directory" page you got to after clicking "suggest URL".
   
   Onto filling out the form...

3. Site URL: http://www.luckymovers.com/
   
   I recommend entering your exact website address just like this. Not http://www.luckymovers.com/index.html OR http://www.luckymovers.com/Home/index.php
   
   And if your website forwards to something strange like:
   http://home.luckymovers.com/4829299/home/default.asp
   it's not going to work and you better fix it first.
   
   It needs to be clean and professional:
   http://www.luckymovers.com/

4. Title of Site: Lucky Moving Company
   
   Make this simple and short, certainly no ! or .com or anything like that. Even if technically your business name is Chicago's Lucking Moving Company Incorporated, leave it simple.

5. Site Description: Provides moving services and packaging materials.
   
   MOST IMPORTANT; Do not use promotional language like "Great Deals!" or "Check us out". Also, do not use your company or website name again in the description, if you're listed, the name will already be placed just to the left of the description.

6. Your E-mail Address: [e-mail]
   
   I recommend using your websites official contact email, whatever that may be.

7. User Verification: Of course enter the CAPTCHA code correctly, click "Submit" and cross your fingers. I recommend waiting at least 6 months before resubmitting if you're not accepted in that time.
   
   To see if you've been listed, search this at http://www.google.com/:
   
   site:dmoz.org lucky moving company
   
   Of course swapping out "lucking moving company" with whatever you entered as the Title of Site.
   
   The absolute key to getting listed is for your submission to be simple, clean and informational only, not even a hint of promotion can be found.
   
   You also need to use correct and proper spelling and grammar. Another factor is the quality of your website, if it has poor structure and design, is over-filled with ads and so on don't expect to make it.
   
   Good Luck!
   
   Leave me Feedback and help me improve this How-to
   
   Thanks, GladToHelp

Tips & Warnings

• If at all you have any trouble or questions about this how-to or find any errors, please comment and I'll work to update and resolve the article so it's more thorough and understandable
• The key is to keep it simple and informational
• Google Search: site:dmoz.org Title of Site - to see if you've been listed
• Do not double submit, you're website can be blacklisted for this
• Before resubmitting, I recommend waiting at least 6 months, do your own research, others may recommend 3 months or even 1 year or more

Resources

• DMOZ