Five Things To Look For In An Article Directory

If you're interested in article marketing, it's not enough to write great articles. You also need to get them accepted at the right directories. But not all article directories are created equal. Here are five things to look for when submitting your articles to online directories.

High rankings. There's no point in submitting articles to a directory that won't get you traffic. One of the benefits of publishing on article directories involves attracting traffic to your website through the links in your author resource box.

Do a search for keywords in your niche. Chances are at least a few of the results are from article directories. Which directories tend to come up the most? The highest-ranking article directories will get you the most visibility possible for your time. If the directory you consider doesn't come up in search engine queries, it's probably not worth submitting to.

Page rank. Another benefit of article directories is the inbound link from the author resource box. For best effect, you should link to your site using a keyword you want to rank for as the link text-not something generic like "my site." Search engines notice the words used to link to your site, and a link from a highly ranked site carries more weight than one from a site with a low page rank. The site with the higher page rank can offer more valuable links.

Standards. Does the article directory have an editorial policy? If it does, that's both good and bad news. It's bad, because it means your articles won't be seen immediately after you submit them-there will be a delay period while the editors approve your writing. It's also good, because it means the directory pays attention to what's being submitted and doesn't allow itself to degenerate into a spam-promotion site.

Recommendations. What are other people saying about the article directories you're considering? Visit a few search marketing forums and ask for recommendations. If your directory is highly regarded by people who have some experience in article marketing, you're probably safe publishing there.

Statistics. Check to see what sort of features the directory offers to authors. Do they let you track your traffic and click-through rate with detailed statistics? Do they let publishers publish your site as long as they include your links and byline? Do they offer article syndication? It's hard to believe, but some directories don't offer any of these perks. Before publishing, see what extras are available.

Article marketing is all about volume. The more articles you publish, the more successful you'll be. And the better the directory you choose, the harder your articles will work for you. Use these tips, and you should be able to choose the right directory for your article marketing campaign.

Jennifer Williamson runs a successful business writing articles in southern Pennsylvania for clients all over the world. For flawless writing at affordable prices, check out her freelance writing website. For more of her advice on writing and article marketing, visit her freelance writing blog.