Building an Online Directory? Planning Makes Perfect!

Online directories are one of the hottest new ways to make money online, but before you dive in, take a little time to plan your attack. A bit of strategic planning now will save you headaches, time and money later on.

To launch a new online directory from scratch, you'll need to address five things:

1. Content and Features: Decide on your 'topic', plan your data needs and define any capabilities you'll need.
2. Software: Find the right directory software.
3. Hosting: Get a domain name, arrange for hosting and install the directory script.
4. Populate: add listings to your directory.
5. Promote: raise awareness for your directory and start making money.

We'll look at each of these areas in turn, starting with Content and Features. Don't skip this step - you must know the answers to these questions before you can choose an appropriate directory script (i.e. the directory software that will run your site.)

* First things first: what is the content of your directory going to be? All the businesses in a certain city? In a particular industry? Articles? Software?
* Now check out your competitors. List the features you like and dislike about their sites.
* Next, decide how to categorize your listings and if possible, estimate how many listings you'll have.
* What about 'extra' features: Will you allow users to post ratings or reviews? Do you need to accept payments on your site? Run
and manage banner ads?

Now that you've defined your needs, you're ready to select the script (software) that will make your directory run. It may be a tough
decision - there are plenty of scripts available and it's likely that several of them could do the job. Price isn't a reliable guide to quality or usability, so how do you decide which one to buy?

There's a lot to consider, including a few 'surprise' factors you may not have thought of. And that's what we'll be covering next in
"Choosing the Right Directory Script".

Pop Quiz: Which very popular webhosting company can't run certain directory scripts? Which free directory software comes with significant 'hidden' costs? To find out, look here: http://www.directoryscriptreviews.com.

For more detailed information about directory planning plus a handy checklist, read this: http://www.directoryscriptreviews.com/planning-for-success/

Kathee Muzin is a writer, editor and website producer located in the Vancouver, BC area.