Situation:
- Internet user who started in 2002, computer experience since 1985
- Profession: resume writing and jobs advice
- came up with the idea to be a directory or portal to other sites
- Directory to advertise clients
- Started with a list of directories and info about them like price, type, search result presentation
- Mentions example of "Alex Tew"
- Developed list of categories, 2 hrs for 30 categories, 2 weeks to develop 500 subcategories
- Hired out the web design work
- Spent $6000 on development
- Offers 100% free entries via mail/email
- Took 3 months to compile list of 4000 prospects from various offline directories
- Ended up with 500 usable addresses, and 100 entries
- Then tried PPC
- After 12 months, 20,000 incoming links
- 1500 sites in the index
- Now it's 2005, directory 3 years old
- 8 paid clients
- Submissions coming in
- Then changed the domain (!?!?!?!)
- More changes to the theme
(Skipping half the narrative, just too wordy)
Summary:
- Most people not interested in even a free link
- Those that want a free link don't care to upgrade
- Many think directories are a scam
- Lack of trust if you're not large
- Many will want cheap site wide links, or mass listings
Mentioned:
- yell.com
Sources:
- (Warning: Rambling!) Starting New Directory: A Member's Personal Experience
Labels:
None
Add Comment