If you’re an SBIer, Ken Evoy wrote an interesting forum post about the importance of directory links. It started me thinking about how I approach directory submissions now.

Back when I started building websites on the internet (WAY back in 2004), having your site listed in directories like DMOZ, JoeAnt and Yahoo were the end all be all. Like most website owners, I applied for my site to be listed in DMOZ. I endured the hassle of getting into JoeAnt, whose editors had a dislike for Site Build It sites. Much like the internet witch hunt currently being warred on Scientology by the web group, Anonymous, JoeAnt editors tracked SBI submissions down and denied applications, frequently based on the sole reason that it “looked like an SBI site.” I had to become an editor myself to get my site listed. I wasn’t willing, however, to spend $299 to get into Yahoo’s Directory.

Looking back, I remember stressing and worrying when I applied to certain directories, pouring over my application and making sure everything was just so. I’m still waiting for DMOZ to care about my site. And heaven forbid I’d apply again and then be pushed to the end of the line because I applied three years ago and clearly am a bossy site owner. I’ve got a link with JoeAnt, but haven’t logged in to do any more editing since 2005, and while my main keyword is on page two with Yahoo, it’s top five with Google, so there!

Has the inclusion or lack thereof in these sites affected my niche site in any way?

In terms of traffic, probably not. Right now I receive nearly 2000 visitors per day. The monthly search numbers for my main keyword is 60,000, so I’m doing okay. Google likes me. Google Images REALLY likes me. About.com likes me and has done more for my traffic in one month than my JoeAnt listing has in a year. Or more. Wikihow thinks I’m pretty cool and so does Squidoo.

So I don’t worry anymore about getting into the DMOZ or wonder why Yahoo doesn’t rank my site higher. Would it have jumped to the head of the class earlier with some stronger links in? Possibly.

Over the years, though, I’ve continued to build by writing articles, posting in forums, working on SEO and adding site content. At this point, this niche site pretty much runs on its own, without much input from me. I was never in this to get rich quick and while my site continues to get stronger, directory sites like DMOZ and JoeAnt have lost a fair amount of oomph. The internet’s changed; I try and change with it.

I won’t discount the importance of these directory listings for links in, however; at this point, links in from valuable sites still make a difference. So I do recommend continuing with a directory submission strategy; I just wouldn’t worry so much if you don’t pass muster.

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