Written by: Shari Thurow from GrantasticDesigns

Treat Yahoo as a directory, NOT a search engine.

Yahoo is not a search engine; it is a directory. Yahoo defaults to a search engine (Google) in the event that the results of your search query are not listed in their directory.

Because Yahoo is a directory, every submission is viewed by a person. (Search engines use spiders and indexing software). Your submission is entirely at the discretion of the Yahoo surfer viewing your site. That's why the submission lead time is often 8-10 weeks, without using the Express Submit service.

Unlike HotBot and AltaVista submissions that accept multiple pages from the same site, Yahoo surfers prefers to view your home page, and they will navigate your site from there.

Fill out the forms on Yahoo exactly as requested.

We know this seems obvious, but some sites don't get listed because the submitters do not follow directions when filling out the forms. When Yahoo asks for a phone number, give only one phone number including the area code. When Yahoo asks for a 25-words-or-less description, don't try any fancy word stacking or keyword tricks. Stick to a concise, accurate description of your site's content. Yahoo surfers often changes your site description after it's listed in their directory.

Although some fields are optional, try to fill in all of the fields in the form, especially the fields asking your company name, address, phone and fax #s. Yahoo wants to know that you have a legitimate business that will be around in years to come.

Select the categories (only 3) that you want to be listed under very carefully.

To select your categories, type in your selected keywords in a Yahoo query, and study the results. Your site does not belong where you believe your target audience is searching. Your site's actual content should accurately reflect the category or categories you wish to be listed under.

You will probably be listed under the same categories your competitors are listed under. Study your competitors' directory listing. See what their descriptions are, and then modify your site's description to show the Yahoo surfer that you definitely belong in the categories you selected.

If you are a U.S. company, under the category Regional/United States/ in Yahoo, all 50 states are listed. You should include your site in one of the regional categories, if applicable. Don't be surprised that most of your traffic from Yahoo is local. Many customers need to hear your voice or see your face to feel secure about hiring you or your company for a project.

Category listings are also at the discretion of a Yahoo surfer. You need to spend the time selecting your categories and studying your competitors so that you do not get listed under an "undesirable" category.

Have unique content and point this information out in your submission.

A website is of no value to the Yahoo directory if the site contains the exact same information as other sites in the same categories. So to add value to the Yahoo directory, and to call attention to the unique aspects of your online business, make sure you have unique content on your site.

You can point out any unique content to the Yahoo surfer via your 25-word description or the extra comments field in the submission form.

Get a virtual domain name.

Yahoo tends to recognize virtual domains (http://www.yourcompany.com) over others. Why is this? Yahoo wants to have legitimate organizations and companies in their directory. They do not want a small start-up company that won't be around next year, thus resulting in a dead link to a URL in the directory. A virtual domain shows that you are serious about your business.

Try to get listed in one of Yahoo's regional directories first.

At the bottom of Yahoo's home page are Yahoo's regional directories. If you are in one of the regional areas, you can get listed much faster in the regional directory than in Yahoo's main directory.

"Design for speed." (quotation from a Yahoo surfer)

Yahoo is looking for sites that download very quickly, preferably in within 30 seconds on a 28.8 kbps modem.

Lastly, the rule "Content is King" applies to getting listed in Yahoo. If they don't feel your site looks or sounds like a legitimate business, they don't have to list you. So make sure your website is easy to read, easy to navigate, easy to find (on search engines), shows coherence/consistency in design and layout, and is quick to download.

About the Author: Shari Thurow (info@grantasticdesigns.com) For FREE design and marketing tips, visit us at: http://www.grantasticdesigns.com/tips.html

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