The first step to launching an internet directory is choosing a focus. The second step is to find the best online listing software.
An online software directory is a key factor in determining the success of a directory. Many software products can make or break a directory. Many online directory software products will need retrofitting to meet the demands of digital publishers. These products are to be avoided. It would help if you avoided these. The best online directory software should have this feature. This will allow you to create your directory quickly and easily.
Publishers who launch online directories do not set up their websites similarly to other digital publishers. To run a blog, you need different tools. When setting up online directories, why do so many publishers use blogging software or content management systems?
What happens when you retrofit blog software to build an internet directory? Our experience shows that publishers are wasting precious time trying to make square holes fit into round pegs. Publishers could have spent this time generating revenue or supporting other digital ventures.
Some online directory software is just blogging software that’s been modified. We do not recommend using this. These tools are not suited for publishers with special needs. Most of the solutions left over from outdated blogging software are not compatible with paid or enhanced listing or self-serve portals, which are becoming increasingly popular among top publishers. It can be difficult to export these solutions.
A company that specializes in online directories is a better option. Companies that regularly work with online directory publishers know the business model. They have also designed systems that make it easy to monetize each aspect of the directory.
Factors to Consider When Comparing Online Directory Software:
1) Does This Software Support Enhanced Listing: Although enhanced listings have been a major revenue stream for directory publishers in recent years, not all software products make enhanced listings possible. Online directory software should allow you to charge individuals or businesses fees to make their listings stand out in the online directory.
2) Visitors Can Upload Their Own Content: Self-serve portals allow publishers a more hands-off approach to directory administration. Visitors can upload their content directly to listing pages. The publisher, or his or her staff, does not need content creation for each listing. It is important that self-serve portals are easy for users to use. They should be able to integrate with payment processing software, but that’s something we’ll cover later.
3) Are There Monetization Opportunities That Have Been Simplified?: It is not a good idea for businesses to be required to call and make payments by telephone every time they want to place an enhanced listing in an online directory. It is important that you select software that can be used to monetize your website. It should allow businesses to pay for listing ads and listings through your website’s self-serve checkout.
4) Has The Company Previously Worked With A Directory Publisher? Online directories have fundamentally different products from news websites or blogs. Stress will result from trying to use blogging platforms for managing an online directory. It’s best to hire a company with extensive experience building online directories. Ask about the number of directories they’ve built and how important publishing was in that process. It is worth it to find a company that can cater to your needs.
