06th Aug 2008
Are micro directories the future?
Today we saw 2 announcements for very focused directories. This is an interesting online trend which highlights the practicality of micro directories.
The first is for Roofing-Directory.com which focuses on connecting consumers with roofing contractors that will repair or replace your roof. The site supports commercial and residencial roofing companies and is currently available in California, Florida, Illnois, Maryland and Virginia. Contractors are pre-screened with an assurance from the site that they will provide a free estimate before starting work. The cost is $10 for a lifetime inclusion for a roofing company and free for consumers.
The second directory we saw was local-attorneys.com, which focus on connecting consumers with legal council in their area. The site includes a variety of different legal fields and is available in most states. The cost $50 for inclusion in the directory and free for consumers.
Are micro-directories the future? With web search it would seem to be a good strategy to use these directories to increase your visibility to consumers. Its not clear how these micro-directories will stand up in the long term though with consumers not maintaining a relationship between the different sites. The major directories services build up a level of trust and assurance with consumers so that consumers return and re-use the directory. It will be hard for these micro-directories to build use trust, their biggest value might be as a SEO link provider.
Hi Colin and Beverly,
I came accross your website later in 2007 when I am exploring online directories. Now I am please to introduce my hobby website although i’m not quite there yet but I think its time to expose it. Pls visit http:\\www.adsandpages.com and hopefully you won’t skip my blogs to better understand the website.
I hope one day it will be featured in your website.
Thank you.
jc
Good points here. However I think micro-directories… or “vertical directories” have an advantage over larger, generic ones in that they can cater their design, layout, features and options to one industry. The way I find a lawyer might be a little different than the way I find a car dealer. I may have different criteria. As such, different directories can have different uses. I’m not saying small niche directories are “the future” or anything, but simply that they have a time and a place.