This morning the Connected Internet Directory passed the 4,000 link milestone. Launching the directory was one of the best decisions I’ve made as it only took 30 mins to setup, only takes 15 mins a week to run, and is bringing in hundreds of dollars each month in revenue. I’ve recently updated the directory to the latest version and my old theme no longer worked, so I do need to spend some time getting it work looking good again.
I wish the same could be said for the Connected Internet Forum, which seems to have been invaded by spammers who are creating some disgusting signatures or who are creating dozens of spam posts. I’m in two minds whether or not to shut it down as it’s no fun spending around 15-30 mins each day deleting spam.
I know how you feel, my forum isn’t as popular but still gets flooded with spam attempts.
What software are you using for it? I’ve been slow customising phpBB to add my own spam blocking which seems to be keeping the worst of it from getting through.
@John
I use SMF to power my forum
I’d not heard of that, but it looks like the code is available so it might be worth checking out the available mods or having a friendly php coder tweak it to filter out some of the more common spam.
I wish I could say the same about the Directory I launched a while ago. Ev, did you ever write a post about how you got your Directory up and running so well, so fast?
I’ve still not got round to looking at this option, clearly it’s worked really well for you Everton, do you think it was because you were offering a WordPress theme back when you started it that helped? Did CI have an appealing Pagerank at the time?
Also, does anyone know Google’s current stance and opinion of directories? Would they penalize you for having one?
I use directories for my clients as they bring local business, in actual fact most of our clients get at least 20% of their business from directories. I do realise that everyone is looking at what Google thinks but what about what are clients want, more business and local directories do, do it. Or that is what I think. And forums these days, 99% of them ones I go to are uncontrolled and full of sh$t.
@TheFix
Other than a few posts like this and linking to it from my site nothing. I did have a link to my directory added to the TypoReloaded theme, but that just helped with backlinks.
@Zath
Yes, I used to be a PR6 but since going to a PR3 the number of links added/day has gone up not down!
My directory flopped, whats the secret to making it successful ???