By: Raymond Hackney
Aviva Directory is an advertiser here and I wanted to sit down and ask the owner, Jeff Behrendt what the directory business is like in 2013.
When did you get involved doing business online Jeff?
Since 2000. I had set up a local business, but had no clients and no money. So I looked for a way that I could quickly and cheaply attract business and after some false starts, turned to the internet. That turned out to be a wise choice, and within 3 years I managed to make that a successful business, primarily through the success of my website.
In a world of Facebook and Twitter are directories still being used frequently in
2013?
Our stats say they are. There is a lot of spam in the search engines. Directories help avoid this spam. For instance, if you wanted to know all the best domaining websites, would you turn to Google or a human-compiled list? A quick Google search for "domaining" will give you the answer. What we aim to do at Aviva is offer spam-free listings of websites in as many categories as possible.
How long have you been running Aviva, and why did you get into the directory niche?
I started Aviva in February 2005. At the time I was submitting my websites to several different directories. I thought I could do a better job than the ones that existed at that time, and so created my own. It has been a real adventure! Working on a directory is just as addictive as domaining.
Do you hold a domain portfolio Jeff in addition to the directory business?
Yes, I'm an avid domainer too and rarely does a day go by that I'm not scanning drop lists. Aviva Directory has a couple of in-depth articles about domaining. The first is an introductory article: How to Get Started as a Domainer: 28 Tips, Techniques and Resources. We also have an article about the law relating to domaining: 10 US Laws Every Domainer Needs to Know.
You have free listings and paid listings on Aviva, what is the advantage of a paid
listing?
We have a team of editors that goes out and scours the web for quality websites to add to Aviva. These websites are added for free to ensure that we offer visitors the resources they are seeking. If you have a quality website that you would like listed in our directory, you can pay to have our editors review it for possible inclusion.
The advantage of listing your website is increased visibility on the internet for your website. Directory submission in an important component of a comprehensive marketing plan for an online business.
Does Google treat directories that aren't named DMOZ with much love?
Yes, if it is a quality directory. The problem is that most directories out there aren't of a very high quality, and that is why directories get a bad rap.
Directories to avoid: (1) Many so-called directories are just websites that have been placed on an expired domain with PageRank. (2) Directories with sitewide outbound links, particularly to websites in verticals such as gambling. (3) Directories with just a few high PageRank inbound links.
Thank you for your time Jeff
Jason Thompson says
Just what the doctor ordered. Great interview and Aviva is one of those directories that you always end up on from time to time. Great work!
Jeff says
I appreciate the opportunity to talk about Aviva Directory and the directory industry at large, particularly as more and more domainers go down the route of developing and marketing their domains. Thanks for your time and interesting questions.