How can I get more hits, I need leads! These thoughts run through web designers heads all the time. How can a web designer get their services in front of people who are actually looking for web design services The answer is the web design directory.
What is a Web Design Directory
These directories | | are specifically designed to bring together web designers and showcase their work on one site. The people who visit these sites are actively looking for web design services, thus they are all potential clients. Some of the directories categorize sites by either state, county and/or web specialization. This is a grand advantage because it allows you to hit your target market more efficiently than if you were to submit your site to just a general business directory. Whats even better is that all of the sites I have listed in this article are absolutely free to post your link.
Finding Web Design Directories
Well where the heck do I find these directories Besides the ones I have listed here your best route would be to log on to Google.com, type in the key phrase web design directory and youll bring up a ton of listings. Shift through them and decide which ones you feel will help your web site get hits. And just as an aside even if the site doesnt get you hits it will help you with your search engine ranking. So its a win win situation. Try several different search engines with that same key phrase or any alternatives you can come up with and submit to your hearts desire.
What do I have to do to get listed
Some directories will ask for a reciprocal link, which is not much to ask given the amount of new traffic your site will draw in as a result of being listed. I know as a designer you may fear that adding someones banner, icon or slogan to your site will look tacky or even make you seem like a novice. The majority will not ask you for a banner, none of the sites listed here do, but if they do its up to you as a designer to make that decision. This was a concern for me at first but I figured out a way to get around this.
Most of the link confirmations are automated so no one will physically look at your site, so adding just a text link will do the trick. Once the link is confirmed its automatically approved and listed on the site. This way they have their link and your have your listing. Everyone is happy. I havent had any complaints yet so reciprocal links can work for you as a designer. The only other challenge is finding a tasteful way to present the links on your site. The way I handle it is by creating an affiliates link on my contact page this way its embedded in the site. The user has to go to a separate page specifically set up just to display reciprocal links. Theres no need to disrupt the aesthetic value of your site by placing a link on your homepage.
Submission Mus |
| | handle it is by creating an affiliates link on my contact page this way its embedded in the site. The user has to go to a separate page specifically set up just to display reciprocal links. Theres no need to disrupt the aesthetic value of your site by placing a link on your homepage.
Submission Must Dos and Tips
Here are a few things you should prepare before you start submission frenzy. You will want to have the site title, URL, description, keywords and contact information ready in a word processing program so all you have to do is cut and paste into the online form. It will make the process a million times faster if you have the information ready because while youre submitting it will be requested time and again. In addition to your regular description you may want to have a truncated version just in case the site doesnt accommodate lengthy descriptions.
Another tip for submittal is to submit your own domain name link like www.yoursite.com, not www.somebodyshost.com/yoursite. Your link may be rejected and not to mention its unprofessional. Also keep in mind that some of the submissions may take a while. Any where from instantaneously to a couple of months so dont get antsy when you dont see your link after a week. However, if you feel its taking too long to see your link on their site feel free to email the administrator and inquire about when they think the link will be up. After all youre generating business for them by having their link on your site. Its only fair. If you dont get the response you want or no response at all feel free to delete the link from your affiliates page and make room for a reciprocal link that is going to bring you potential clients.
Web Design Directory List
Below are some of the sites that really worked for me. All four combined provided an at least 200% increase in my site traffic and resulted in a surge in client inquires:
www.marketingtool.com [optional reciprocal link]
www.firmlist.com
www.1234-find-web-designers.org [reciprocal link req.]
www.designfirms.com
Other Web Design Directories:
www.topdesignfirms.com
www.comparewebdesigners.com
www.webdesign.ittoolbox.com
www.a2zwebdesignsource.com
www.aaadesignlist.com
www.find-webdesign.com
www.webmasterfind.com
www.edezines.com
About The Author
Michelle Echevarria has been in the interactive industry for over five years as a web designer and developer. She is currently freelancing and plays a vital role in helping small to medium sized businesses bring their venture to the Internet. Portfolio site: http://www.bronxplanet.com, corporate site http://www.davilldesign.com. Email info@davilldesign.com
This article was posted on September 13, 2003 |
Other Articles..
1. Savvy Internet Marketers' BIG Seminar Secrets 2. Start an Internet Marketing Business - The Power of Visualization and Mindsetting 3. Get Your Creative Juices Going 4. Lead Me On - Learn About Internet Marketing Leads 5. Working At Home While Caring For A Loved One
|
