For every drop of rain that falls, a web directory grows. Everyone has one, everyone lists on one. They will soon outnumber Starbucks in the “Most Things in the Universe” category… which is likely it’s own category on some web directory somewhere.

The web directory is a popular site to build because there are lot’s of scripts out there to maintain a web directory, and there are plenty of potential customers in the millions of webmasters who want to drive more traffic to their sites. Perfect match, right?

And there’s the problem. So many link directories, so few good one’s that will actually help your site. There’s little point in listing on a directory that has no traffic and no chance of being properly spidered by a decent search engine. If one doesn’t already exist, someone should create a web directory of web directories so we can keep them all straight.

In the case of CrankyRants.com, I’ve chosen to list with an SEO Friendly web directory that is also highly ranked with the search engines. This solves the problems above. Lot’s of happy text-based directory structure to provide additional content to the spiders. And hopefully plenty of traffic from those simply searching around.

Listing with a directory is of course just the first step in marketing a site. The more listings with quality directories the better, so don’t stop at one. But with hundreds of them out there, definitely stop at around 20. If you can list with the top 20 web directories at first, you should feel confident that your site is on it’s way to stardom, then concentrate your efforts on other methods of promotion. Like link exchanges, tattoos of your logo, and poorly written web addresses painted on the side of your car. Classy!