1. Research each directory category individually.

Doing the necessary research in selecting the appropriate category is an integral part in directory submission. To prove that you belong to the category that you have selected, write a concise and accurate description of your site that resembles the descriptions in the targeted directory category.

2. Determine the best description of your web site.

Go to the search box of a directory and type in your most important keywords. Study each category and its corresponding description. The style of your site description should be based on web sites that were already accepted in that directory.

If your type of business does not belong to any category in the directory, suggest a directory that is similar to the categories that are already in the directory.

3. Be sure that your unique selling proposition (USP) is also in your directory description.

Your description should resemble the description style of other sites listed in your targeted category but it should be unique and not identical to the other descriptions in your category. If, for example, your company specializes in 4 types of services, mention those services in your description. Or if your company caters to a particular audience, mention that in your description as well.

4. Write descriptions of varying lengths and keep in a text file to cut-and-paste in the submission form.

Each directory has its own range as to the number of words that they will accept in a description. Nevertheless, when you write your descriptions, write 7-, 10-, 15-, 20, 25-, 30- and 50-word descriptions.

Make sure that your most important keywords are in every description. By important we mean the very essential ones only. It may only be a few but if it best describes your site then it should be enough.

5. Use the paid/expedited submission programs whenever possible.

The faster that your site can be listed in the directories, the faster it is that it can receive referrals from the major search services since most of them measure link popularity.

6. Check your site statistics software regularly to see when you have been added to a directory.

Resubmit to the directory after 4 weeks if your site has not been added to it within the lead time. Keep track of your dates of submission, categories, descriptions, and titles.

If after 3 submissions your site has not been accepted into a directory, it would be better to contact a directory representative directly.

7. Add your home page to the directory first, then submit specialized topics within your web site.

If your web site has been approved for admission into a directory, then your specialized topic web page stands a better chance of being selected for a different category.

8. How sites are ranked by directories.

Your site might appear toward the top of directory queries if your title, description and category contains keywords. If, on the other hand, your company does NOT have keywords in them, do not add those keywords in the submission. Directory editors will remove them anyway, and you do not want them to suspect you for spamming.

Keep in mind to choose directory listings carefully. Your web site should only contain unique information and contents that are good enough to clearly belong to the categories that you have selected.