Hi, although I've been doing SEO since 1997 (before anyone knew they needed SEO), I'm always looking to improve. I'm willing to share my strategy in hopes that I can help the industry overall, and maybe get some feedback/ new ideas myself. That being said, my way is by no means "the only way" but it's been quite successfull for me so far.

First, I use Wordtracker to figure out keywords/ phrases that people might search for. I make sure to find a phrase that the client needs, but with a low Keyword Effectiveness Index (KEI). For example, I'd pick "pro shop NJ" or "golf equipment new jersey" instead of just "golf". Webposition Gold is OK for checking keyword count/ syntax after I've handcoded each page, but I refrain from using it for automatically submitting. Basically, my theory is to HAND SUBMIT all the time and never too often.

After hand coding my site (assuming you have knowledge of meta tags, ALT tags, etc.) I create a new Excel spreadsheet. Each URL I submit has its own Excel file with the following 7 columns: "site", "type", "date1", "date2", "date3", "indexed?", and "comments". "Site" refers to the URL I'm submitting (such as google.com) and I hyperlink directly to the submit page to make it easier. Under "type" I categorize each search engine as free crawler, free directory, pay directory, PPC, etc. The "date1" column is date of first submit- after 3 weeks (no sooner) I check back- if it still hasn't been added I move to date2, date3 etc. As weeks go by I indicate if the site has been indexed Y/N under "indexed?", along with notes under the "comments" column.

I submit to the free major search engines first- Google, DMOZ, Yahoo Search etc. If the client is willing to shell out $300 I strongly recommend Yahoo Directory. I've found PPC to be effective sometimes, although it requires a large budget and you spend alot of time babysitting.

However, there are a bunch of smaller directories which create good linking opportunities to Google and Yahoo. If nothing else, it's also a good way to show the client early on that they're showing up somewhere (even if they've never heard of it). Some of these directories charge a small fee- depending on the client's budget I'll submit to all of them and build the cost into my invoice. I don't charge a premium over the cost of these fees, but it could certainly be done for a bigger margin.

To create this list I handpicked selections from the Yahoo Directory under Search Engines category. These are all smaller directories that meet 4 criteria:

1. Directory (not webcrawler or PPC, preferably human edited)
2. Clear instructions for submitting URL
3. Maintain their own database (not using Google, etc)
4. Free or charge a very small amount.

This list is always changing but I try to keep it up to date:

01webdirectory.com
a1directorysearch.com
ajdee.com
arielis.com
beaconpost.com
botw.org
choicex.com
doogate.com
elib.org
exactseek.com
freewebdirectory.us
gigablast.com
gimpsy.com
huntitout.com
indexplex.com
joodie.com
link-pimp.com
linkdiscovery.com
massivelinks.com
mpios.com
NationalDirectory.com
onesite.info
pepesearch.com
polybot.com
premiumquest.com
quisto.com
searchhippo.com
search-info.com
searchport.org
searchtheindex.com
seedirectory.com
skaffe.com
skibop.com
smartlinks.org
splatsearch.com
sunsteam.com
topiawebsearch.com
totalseek.com
tygo.com
uncoverthenet.com
webs-best-directory.com
whoisman.net
yubnub.org
zeal.com

This strategy has worked well for me since 1997 but it might not match your style. I'm always looking for new ideas so please give feedback- thanks and good luck! .. Larry Brown

Looks like a decent list. The idea of submitting is foreign to me (I started SEOing in 2004). One link from an indexed page is usually enough to get you in.

Hi sootle, thanks! I agree, one link from an indexed page is usually enough to get you in. However, it's always good to diversify- never put all your eggs in one basket, as they say.

I learned this the hard way after I lucked out: one one of my biggest clients got indexed in Yahoo very quickly. This was a few years ago before they started charging $300/year for commercial sites (by the way, I strongly recommend going for that if your client has the budget). Anyhow, I think Yahoo was using Inktomi for indexed results and then bought out Inktomi. This completely rearranged Yahoo's business model. As a result, the client suddenly dropped off the radar. Unfortunately I hadn't submitted to any smaller directories and the client fired me.

Of course, there is a risk to submitting to these small "no-name" directories, because alot of them will go out of business within the first year. I'm sure the list I posted will be quite different in a year from now. However, I build that risk into my cost, and it's working out great. On the other hand, sometimes these small directories do very well and end up getting bought out by one of the majors, so you get a free ride.

The big guys like Yahoo and Google are unpredictable- algorithms aside, if they make a major business decision (i.e. who they partner with, business model, etc) you might be screwed. Not to discourage anyone that only submits to the majors, but I've found a system that works great for me.

njseoguy no offence, but you wasted half an hour of my life with that terrible free directory list (and I want it back :P) anyone reading this do yourself a favour and follow rustybricks guide for the best directories to submit to @ http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/000669.html

bar 2 on this list, every directory wants money or a reciprocal link which to keep my site looking pro just isn't an option.

Zeal.com has just shut down.

I have not submitted web pages to a search engine since... well, somewhere close to 1997.

njseoguy no offence, but you wasted half an hour of my life with that terrible free directory list (and I want it back :P) anyone reading this do yourself a favour and follow rustybricks guide for the best directories to submit to @ http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/000669.html

bar 2 on this list, every directory wants money or a reciprocal link which to keep my site looking pro just isn't an option.

I agree that reciprocal links are a pain- it's alot better to ignore the sites that require recip links, and plunk out ten bucks for a directory ... since your client is paying for it anyway (you ARE charging them aren't you?? lol)

I have not submitted web pages to a search engine since... well, somewhere close to 1997.

I have over 500 clients paying me on a regular basis, and it's worked fine for me. Since you seem successful as well, why don't you share your strategy with us? :D

Zeal.com has just shut down.

Thank you, appreciate the update- like I said, alot of these smaller directories go out of business rather quickly. However, alot of them get bought out by bigger companies so it's still worth submitting.

I have over 500 clients paying me on a regular basis, and it's worked fine for me. Since you seem successful as well, why don't you share your strategy with us?

links. Quality links.

It would be cool if you could post an example of your excel spread sheet. Thanks.