Directories/Portal - Million dollar page

jen · Jan 5, 2006

Hi,

Do consumers always reach for the net when looking for products/services in their area?

When using an online directory what kind of things/service do you look for? and what would make you want to keep using that directory?

For parents and family - do you use the net to search when you need anything kids and parenting related? Do you reach out for local mag when checking what things to do in your area or do you search the net instead?

There are thousands of online directories but how do these guys get businesses listed on their site - I mean surely its harder to market an online directory as you would first need visitors before asking people to pay you to advertise right? So do online directories offer free of charge ad at first then charge later?

I saw some info about these million dollar pages, I know it's been all over the net but why was it such an impact to consumers - sorry if I'm missing something here - I'm just trying to understand the concept - I've seen many online directories which to me have more information on actual products and services listed on their site than the just a pixel on tiny pages, how and why did they have this million visitors and ads on their site at early stage - do people prefer to use this over standard online directories/portals?

Thank you.

DavidHorn · Jan 5, 2006

I think that the attraction of the first milliondollarhomepage.com was the story behind it. A lot of people thought 'Hey, cool - good for you'. He got a ton of press from it, a ton of traffic, a ton of money and a ton of goodwill. Nobody's supposing it'll replace an online directory, but the story behind it all was interesting.

As for the number of spoofs that have come from it ... well. That's a different thing altogether.

mattk · Jan 5, 2006

What David said. The MillionDollarHomepage guy received massive publicity in local news, then IT news, then the mass press. All the other clone million pixel jobbos won't get anywhere near that kind of exposure.

SillyJokes · Jan 5, 2006

Most people don't make money from those thousands of shopping directories or the milliondollarcopycats

If I want something local I look on Yell.co.uk

f you want to make money from the web you need to offer people something they want or create a human story behind it.

Astaroth · Jan 5, 2006

Personally I have never used an online directory for anything (depending on your exact definition) - the closest I use is yell.com or pricerunner.

I will often look online for ideas but may end up buying offline subject to price difference/ speed I need the item or (what can be a significant factor) what my availability will be to accept delivery.

JustOneUK · Jan 5, 2006

The pixel pages are great, the CTR (click thru ratio) is huge, they are a great place to advertise and i would recommend them to anyone.
If you have 5 mins you can read my Pixel Advertising Blog about it.

I have links all over the internet, in hundreds of directories, to lots of my sites. The traffic these generate is virtually ZERO. I get more from my Pixel Website, it is no different from a normal directory except it utilises little squares on the homepage.

The reason you should advertise in directories? ANCHOR TEXT
without anchor text, you are no-where. Your site will never be found.

try google for ......... pixel advertising blog
and you will see what I mean.

Directories become useful when they are linked from other sources, for example i have J1UK.com on it's own it is insignificant, however because it is linked to from every town of JustOneUK It receives a lot of traffic, ie: visitors to your site.

Summary
Stand alone directories are pretty useless for traffic, you will get a lot more traffic from pixels.
Any directory is good for anchor text, you will get a lot more traffic from GOOGLE.
If you are actually looking for something then directories with website support are the best.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

fastfences · Jan 5, 2006

Very interesting, James. I never look for much in directories, instead preferring Yell.com. I have received work through Yell.com, but not through a directory. I now wonder whether pixel advertising may be more beneficial? I fail to understand how, though, because I think a lot of those 'click throughs' are just lookers for interest sake.

Still, my mind's working overtime here :idea: :idea: :idea: .
If I set up a site; Million Fence Post home page .com and try to sell a million fence posts at £1 per post, does that mean I'll attract more work by virtue of the pixel page? Then again, perhaps I wouldn't need the work if I sold all the posts :wink:
Cheers, Nigel

jen · Jan 5, 2006

Hi guys,

Thank you to everyone, great advice, info and tips.

Still wonder why people use the site so much to look for products/services as it seems the page look too overcrowded and does not offer you any more than just a picture.

Regards

JustOneUK · Jan 5, 2006

jen said:
Still wonder why people use the site so much to look for products/services as it seems the page look too overcrowded and does not offer you any more than just a picture.

The million dollar homepage would have got you some traffic which you would then rely on your website design to convert the visitors into sales.
There is not much point in talking about it anymore as it is now FULL. The million dollar homepage doesn't offer much in the way of finding anything or targeted visitors, which is why I seperated my Pixel Directory into categories (for some targeting) and offer full anchor text within the directory. If you can find a PR5 directory offering lifetime links for £10, please let me know. 8)

Jen> I am replying to your PM now
Nigel> If you are selling fence posts at £1 each, I will take 400. When can you deliver. 8)

James

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