Making an income from Link Directories

[esm]

"How can I make an income from Link Directories?"

I get get this question from time to time from folks. I started my first links directory back in 2000 with Links 2 (written in Perl) from GossamerThreads.com so I know something about link directories although there are others that know even more, certainly about particular aspects.

First, you need a good links directory software. IMHO, INDEXU probably would rank in the top 10 of that type of software. LINKS SQL and IN Link maybe be better if for no other reason than they have a rather large number of users. See hotscripts.com for a fairly complete listing of links software.

As for INDEXU itself, I would rate INDEXU as a 6 on a scale of 10, with 10 being the best. If the owner would offer the level of support that he provided when he first released v3.2, then I would increase that to a 7. There are still a number of features missing from v5.0 that I think should be there.

And as discussed "ad nauseam" within the forums, for the past 2 1/2 yrs the owner/coder has provided only email support and then only for installation and templates. This leaves the purchaser to pretty much "fend" for himself.

Second, be prepared to spend a lot of time developing your site. Notwithstanding the lack of support from the owner, you will need to either learn the software yourself or be prepared to pay someone to do it. You will need to learn some PHP (and with v5.0, some SMARTY) and you will certainly need to know HTML.

I recommend at least 40 hours a week working on your site for the first year. An hour or two after work each nite and 3 or 4 hours on the weekend will not get the job done.

Next, you will need to pick the contents of your directory. I think you need to create a "niche" directory. You are not big enough so it is not likely that you will create the next Yahoo. There was one guy who wanted to import all the categories and links from DMOZ. That is just crazy.

Take a look at the "Sites in Action" forum. Those that are still arround tend to be "niche" sites - they specialize in a certain area. And I suspect most of their links come from inputting them themselves, at least in the beginning.

How many links do you need? I have one site that has less than 1200 links and it does good. but it is a very specialized site.

Fourth, become an expert in "search engine optimization" and apply it to your site. Have relevant page titles, page descriptions and keywords. Keep updating your content. etc, etc

Fifth, don't count on banner ads or "sponsored" or paid links for income. It won't happen. At least not the first year. Instead, think specialized content.

There is lots more but I will let other add their comments.

My guess is that only 10% of those that actually purchase a links directory program like INDEXU are still actively working their site after a year. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones.




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[dody]

To pick niche content is not so hard. Go to dmoz, pick one category and import it into indexu. Instead of having one very large website, i'd prefer build many small directory with different domain name (it would better if they also have different IP). Link them all each other to increase link popularity.

But for this kind of work, 40hours/week is too much
It would better if you build your own tool/script to automate your daily task.

For money i think adsense and chitika.com are the best today.

[esm]

I recommend at least 40 hours a week working on your site for the first year. An hour or two after work each nite and 3 or 4 hours on the weekend will not get the job done.

To pick niche content is not so hard. ...But for this kind of work, 40hours/week is too much .

I highly doubt that you can generate a monthly income of USD $2,000-$3,000 by working part-time for 8-12 hrs per week for a month or so. If you believe that, then I would gladly pay you USD $25 per hour to create it for me....!!!

If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it.


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[skywriteing]

But for this kind of work, 40hours/week is too much
It would better if you build your own tool/script to automate your daily task.

For money i think adsense and chitika.com are the best today.

Its seems that such a feature (The ability to semi-auto self populate) would be a HECK of a selling point for a directory. What do you think DODY? Would you like us to pay for such a feature? I'm offering to kick in. - Sky

[inspireme]

self populating directories sound great, but they create a million more cloned sites with no unique content, much the same as dmoz extracted sites. spend the time making something different, unique, and useful and the visitors will come.

[Shophere]

I think ESM/inspireme are on the right track with a "niche" site - you are unlikely to compete with the Yahoo's of this world - I would also recommend "unique" content - not just a copy of DMOZ.
At the end of the day you can only make money if you have visitors who are genuinely interested in your content, then you need to work out how to make money from "your" visitors.

And yes it takes time!!

[lexpression]

Anyone using commission junction? I am running niche directory as this thread suggests. I'm thinking about adding a set of directory links that aren't related to my topic, but may be useful for my visitors. I'm thinking about just adding high quality Commission junction links?

I'm curious how others have set up using CJ

[aladdin1]

Anyone using commission junction? I am running niche directory as this thread suggests. I'm thinking about adding a set of directory links that aren't related to my topic, but may be useful for my visitors. I'm thinking about just adding high quality Commission junction links?

I'm curious how others have set up using CJ

Hello,

I have been using CJ for ever, I never did make much money. it is hardly worth the time.
I was making some money with Google about $500.00/month until they ban my site, did you try Yahoo?