What to do with directories...

I currently run 3 very busy directories (at least very busy in terms of how long it takes me to approve the 175 submissions per day to each)...

The urls are www.blackdhalia.com, www.skaloosh.com, and www.thevividedge.com

There are some text link sales (mediocre i would say) and very little YPN revenue from those particular sites. There are quite a few paid featured links sold on all three of the directories, but again, I feel like it could be much better.

What should I do with these directories? Traffic and submissions are very solid, and I do NO promotion of these directories, so I am happy with that, but I really think that there is a lot more potential here, I just don't know how to tap into it...

 

put ads for webmasters or turn to paid inclusion

 

Usually, when directories get really big webmasters either spam it with ads, make it paid inclusion, or both. It's rare to find a free directory that gets popular and remains free. One thing I did was once I got to 3,000 listings in my Free Website Directory I turned the image verification back on. Probably 75% of the submissions had become automated. Now, I've got a lighter load and the quality of websites have increased dramatically. Traffic hasn't changed either, about 200 uniques a day.

 

Interesting. As it is, i've always had image verification on. I suppose i could look at going to paid inclusion with one of the directories.

 

Try putting your ads under your sponsored listings and try google adsense (they target better so more people will click the ads). Do you require your sites in the dorectory to link back to you? Do you ask for this?

 

I agree on the ads. You need to move them above the fold so that they are more visible and they honestly need blended better. At least on Vivid Edge. The other two sites were down at the time I tried them. Also you are at a point where you could make the move to paid inclusion and charge more for featured links.