How to Make an Online Directory
Online directories contain helpful information to users who are searching for phone numbers, addresses and websites of listings such as restaurants, graphic designers, consultants and shopping malls. An online directory also provides a revenue stream to the directory site owner if he decides to charge listing fees for user submissions. Setting up an Internet directory does take a little bit of time but most web directory scripts provide documentation that explains everything from how to get started to customizing your site.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Purchase a website domain name and hosting account. A good domain name describes the purpose of the online directory you are making. For example, a city portal directory should have the name of the city or geographic area for which it is targeted. Look for a standard web hosting plan that includes 500 megabytes to one gigabyte of storage space, as this typically provides sufficient space for an online directory. Make sure the hosting plan includes MySQL databases; online directory scrips use these. Hosting providers include big names like GoDaddy and HostGator as well as places like JustHost and Liquid Web.
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2
Look for and decide on an online web directory script. A script makes creating an online directory easier than coding the directory by yourself, as there is no need to learn any sophisticated coding languages. Examples of directory scripts include eSyndiCat, Subrion and qlWeb. Look for important characteristics in the script that help with your online directory. Look for search-engine-friendly URLs, as these will help your search engine rankings. Make sure the directory script contains a search feature to aid visitors once they go to your site and try to find a listing. Look for customization options as well as templates so that you can brand your website.
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Buy the online web directory script. Download the files to your desktop. Log in to your web hosting account and upload the directory script files to your hosting server. Follow any instructions included with your directory script to install it such as changing file "permissions." Set up a new MySQL database if required; this can be done on most web hosting providers in one or two clicks by navigating to your account control panel, clicking the "MySQL databases" section and choosing "add new database." Create a username and password during this process to manage the script. Ask one of your hosting representatives for help if you get stuck.
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4
Log in to your administrative control panel for the directory script using the username and password you created. Customize the settings for your directory. Choose a template if these are included with your directory script. Upload a header image or logo for your site to customize your directory even further. Modify the Meta description and keywords, as these will be used by search engines to find your directory site.
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Modify the submissions options that users see when they want to submit a new link or listing to your directory. Choose the fields that get displayed on your directory such as business name, address, telephone number, city and state. Set options to allow users to submit to one, multiple or custom categories. Set directory submissions for either automatic approval or preapproval; the preapproval setting means that you'll have to confirm each listing. Set any fees if you are setting up a paid directory. Refer to the documentation of your directory script for help.
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Fill your directory with categories and a few listings to get your directory website started. The categories you create will depend on the type of directory you want to have. For example, consider whether you want your directory be a city portal that acts similarly to an off-line print yellow pages book or a niche directory that only contains several different category listings.
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Log out of your directory's administration panel and test your directory website from the user side. Take the actual steps that a user would need to complete in order to find a listing and submit one of his own. Make sure that your site functions properly.
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