Questions & Answers on phpLD – php link directory

Often heard question on multiple forums and blogs and on group emails are

How do I start a Web Directory?
What is a link Directory?
Can I make money from Web Directory?
Are there any scripts available for creating a link directory? Which is the best script you would recommend to start a web directory?
Can link directory be customized?
How much effort is required to make a Web Directory?
What is a Search Engine Optimized Web Directory?
Human Edited Web Directory?
Where to host my link directory?

Let us look at some of the questions and try to answer questions posed by various users on different forums.

Link or Web Directory Defined
A link directory, also known as a web directory is as the name suggests a directory of links (web sites). Since all links in a directory are categorized as per domain / niche segment each web site caters to, it allows users looking for information on the web to find list of competitive sites providing similar services at one place.

Link or Web Directory for Business
Even though there are many many web directories on the web, including some big one’s like Yahoo! Directory and DMOZ, there is always place for a starter to grow. Instead of making a web directory that caters to all needs, once just has to focus on a niche segment and maintain quality – and you would get submissions and money for sure, not to mention the money you can make out of advertisements offered by Google Adsense, MSN or Yahoo!.

The Best Script?
There are multiple options to choose from, however we are going to talk about only one that I have personally used and know very well. Others may be good, but only after I can run and operate them would I give you an informed opinion, until then, let’s talk about PHP Link Directory known as phpLD. Selection of appropriate link directory script, can make or break your online success. There’s no shortage of free directory scripts, but their customization options are limited or they may be full of obsolete or outdated code, it’s nearly impossible to get a high ranking and get your directory noticed. Fortunately, with phpLD, you can do much more than create a directory. phpLD lets users create their own pages, submit articles and add content (Article options are available only in version phpld 3.x). This in turn attracts search engines and the visitors that use them – helping to catapult your site to a higher ranking.

Effort Required to Create a Good Web Directory
Having the right tools is only half of the solution. You need a strong commitment and a plan to grow your directory. Much like watching a seed blossom into a flower, it takes patience, perseverance and focus to grow your directory into a full-fledged business. People need to know that they’re not visiting a “dead” directory or paying money and never seeing any results for it. Thankfully, you can buy a proven directory script that works to help you get the results you want. phpLD is used by over 50,000 website owners and is easy and straightforward to set up.

Does phpLD have support options?
This perhaps is one and most important aspect you should consider before you invest any penny in web directory business. The Biggest Advantage with phpLD is the important advantage of support. Most free directory scripts don’t offer support (or they charge an extra fee). phpLD has a thriving support forum complete with people at every skill level including the programmers who make the script possible. Smart support and help at every turn is the foundation you can rely on to launch your own money-making directory business.

Customize your Web Directory
Anyone who visits a directory wants to look for changes. If you simply install plain vanilla install and it looks like it came right out of the box, probably you wouldn’t get many visitors. You as a savvy site owner want to add your own creative touch – and phpLD makes it possible. Hundreds of free templates let you express yourself and create your directory your way. You can also edit any aspect of the templates directly from the administrative area, letting you tweak the layout as much as you want to create your own unique design.

What is Human Edited or Search Engine Optimized Directory?
Typically, if you allow everyone to submit links to your directory and don’t check the quality of links coming in, you would probably be the best bulletin board selling viagra and porn stuff from links you don’t even know are legitimate. So instead of depending upon automation to automatically approve any and every link submitted, it is always wise to give the human touch to your directory and review each submission for quality. At ownhost.in all links are reviewed before they show up in any category. Since I do it myself, it is a human edited directory. Also Search Engine Optimization plays a key role for the success of any website. If you notice, each link in Ownhost.in directory has set of keywords in the meta tags that are unique for listed website, along with unique description and Title which helps Google, Bing and Yahoo! to index the pages about your website and increase net value for your business. By listing your web links in our directory, you increase exposure to your business and services, and thus Search Engine Optimized!

Place to host phpld link directory
Ownhost.in Search Engine Optimized Web Directory is hosted on Pubdomains.com Servers in US. phpLD requires a server that is capable of handling PHP5 and provides MYSQL database to run the script. phpLD space requirement is not too large in the initial stage, however as the number of link submissions and articles grow, it would require a good space in future, thus, always consider storage requirements 6 months down the line, instead of just looking at today’s status. Pubdomains offers 10GB of space for hosting script and database, and that is large enough to host many many articles and thousands of links.