SEO tips = better search engine ranking

Interview with the owner of Aviva, Sevenseek, and other directories

I recently had the opportunity to ask a few questions to Jeff, the recent buyer of the Sevenseek web directory. Here it is:

>>>Can you give us a brief biography so that readers have an idea of who and what you are?

Hi James! Thanks for the interview. I'm in my late 30s and live in Ottawa in Canada. I'm married and have a 3 year old boy. I've been dabbling on the internet since 2001, but really only got serious about things over the last year. My main website is Aviva Directory, but I'm also working on a few other directories such as Sevenseek, Kwikgoblin and Apahcinc.

>>>When and why did you become a webmaster?

I'd like to say that there was a brilliant plan behind it and that I've been working in that direction all my life, but the honest answer is serendipity. I had an offline business and decided I could market it online. I got involved with creating the website for that and SEO'ing it and found that I really enjoyed it. Quietly sitting in front of a computer working provided a nice break at the end of a stressful day at work.

>>>Did you start off with the directory business or did you try some other online businesses first?

I ran a few other websites, but they tended to be more for hobby purposes and to learn how things worked on the internet. However, the running of my directories has been my first serious business effort online.

>>>Do you feel that your directories are significantly different from the competition? How are they different?

Yes. The main way is that I try really hard to ensure quality listings, both through strict editorial reviews of websites submitted and by constantly adding in quality websites on my own. Also, I've tried to give each directory an unique look and powerful backlinks.

>>>Is the web directory market saturated?

I don't think that the market for *quality* web directories is saturated. At least right now, there is always room more quality directories.

However, I do think that the market is definitely becoming more competitive. I think that a year ago you could safely say that there were 25 or so quality directories out there. Since then I believe that the number has doubled. There are now many newer directories where the owner is quite sophisticated and is putting large amounts of time and money into building his or her directory.

Also, I view the new "pay per post" blogging to be a type of competitor for directories in the sense that it provides an alternative way for webmasters to get word out about their website. To my knowledge this did not even exist a year ago and now there are many such services.

>>>What advice would you give to a webmaster who wants to start a web directory?

My biggest surprise in creating a directory is how much time it takes to do. I think you need to consider starting a web directory as a major investment of both time and money.

Posted by James Trotta at November 15, 2006 4:19 PM