How to Start an Online Business Directory
An online business directory allows visitors to your website to search for businesses serving a specific target market or category. Those businesses can benefit from being part of your directory because traffic will be driven to them, and as interest in your site grows, you can charge businesses advertising fees to be part of it.
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Instructions
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Instructions
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Determine if your directory will reach a specific audience, or will be a general directory such as the Yellow Pages. Specific content could include things such as bookstores in a certain area, or businesses that are minority-owned. Online business directories require a lot of resources in order for customers to find them effective.
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Obtain a domain name for your directory. This the name, or URL, of your website. Domain registrars can charge between $1 and $14 per year.
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Buy web hosting for your directory. Web hosts have multiple servers, which contain enough space to handle the traffic and content on your website. Web hosts may also offer domain registration as well, so you can save time by ordering hosting and a domain name with the same company.
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Obtain business names, addresses, and other information you want to add to your directory. You can buy available mailing lists from listing services, or contact the businesses directly and ask whether they want to be part of your directory.
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Hire a web designer to create your directory or build it yourself. Freelance web designers can be found through sites such as getafreelancer.com or guru.com. If your budget is tight, consider sites such as Intuit and WordPress, which offer free templates that will let you build your directory yourself.
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Drive traffic to your online business directory by hiring a search engine optimization firm or advertise in forums, buy advertising space online, and advertise in local newspapers and magazines.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose a catchy name that is memorable and does not contain difficult spelling.
Start with a cheaper web-hosting package. When your memory and traffic exceed your account package, your host will suggest an upgrade.
Create a word-processing document first with the names and information you would like to add to your directory, as it will be easier to upload to your website.
