One problem with promoting a directory is that it is difficult to list it in directories since they are rival sites.

So the way forward is to advertise the site, attract search engine traffic and spread the word however possible.

Advertising a site like this which does not generate income means it is best to avoid using paid Ads such as Pay Per Click. So exchange advertising springs to mind.

Traffic exchanges are one way to expose your site for free but I don’t want the kinds of sites that are generally shown on Traffic Exchanges listed here since they are mostly MLM replicated sites and Affiliate sites.

Banner exchanges may work but it may be difficult to target the intended audience of newbie webmasters and owners of low traffic sites.

The best way seems to be to approach webmasters directly. This can be done via their site contact form, comments on blogs, and via webmaster forums. The problem with forums is that although they are full of webmasters, it is difficult to go in, post an Ad and disappear since it’s impolite and your Ad will be swiftly deleted by admins. So it seems like it’s best to pick a forum with a large active community of webmasters and become an active poster.

So that looks like a strategy for Advertising this site’s directory.

Attracting search engine traffic is easy. All I need to do is add content. Of course, I have linked to this site from other sites so the search engine robots are visiting this site.

This blog is a great way to add content to indirectly bring traffic and users to my directory. Also, the site listings create site content which I can add to myself.

I haven’t considered adding articles to the site since I feel that it may be pointless adding duplicate content but it is something to look into.

Word of mouth recommendation of a directory would work well once the directory has Page Rank. So I have linked in and out to/from high PR sites to hopefully get a good Page Rank when it’s eventually given.

Since the growth of this directory is likely to be slow at first and gradually gather momentum, I think I will spend time developing other sites and let this one grow at it’s own pace rather than expecting overnight success.

Let me know your thoughts…