My partner and I are trying to have a profitable directory running on LSQL. So here are my thoughts -
1. buy Links SQL - definitely! I am so happy we spent the bucks and got a stable and flexible system to work with! We have our very unique look now as we run a directory that lists businesses and services as well as websites so we needed more than just links (some of them don't even have websites). We customized LSQL so our listings show lots more info than just links and they don't show things like ratings or reviews (see here
www.meowhoo.com).
2. buy dedicated server hosting - well we are pressed for money, so we went with shared hosting and so far so good. We run a directory of more than 1700 listings right now and we run the static mod. With our current traffic we are happy with our shared server.
3. set up Links SQL - setting it to work is real easy, especially as it's being installed for you :) customizing it is the more difficult part but it's a lot of fun (for me at least). The templates and the admin interface make it real easy to change the database structure and the look of the directory. I don't know any perl so when I did have to make some more major changes I came to the forums for help (still do - thanks pugdog!).
4. find / add links - well, we wanted businesses and services that are cat related, so we went hunting for them quite actively. First we located online businesses we were after and emailed them and asked them to come and add their listing. Some did and most didn't. So we changed strategy and now we are adding their listings and then notifying them and if they want out then we take them out (they don't - they thank us m ost of the time :D). Those with websites (most of them) see the traffic we are sending them and they're very happy to be listed with us.
5. how to make the directory pay - we give each business one free basic listing. We ask them to pay if they want to upgrade their listing (adding a border, color and their logo), have it bumped up to the top of the category and if they want a detailed page (we offer a detailed page with lots of text and pictures - basically a mini-website). LSQL makes upgrading listings and detailes pages a breeze - lots of fun to design and then just a small modification in the DB to get it online :D Currently we're working on adding more features to the detailes pages - we want to offer them a selection of template designs, music, counters and more. We charge $70 for a detailed page so we want to make it attractive.
We also work on other content - we set up the Meowhoo Club where we offer members special deals on cat products, cat games and freebies. This is a very attractive ad space for merchants. We are still small so we don't charge them much to be included in the club offers - they are happy to provide discounts and the prizes for the contests and games. The club is basically a monthly newsletter that has all the info & coupons.
6. a
ny help advice appreciated - I think you need to focus your directory in your area of expertise. Me and my partner are first of all cat people (and work in the field - I'm a cat behaviorist and she does cat rescue). You must be familiar with the categories and listings to make decisions. Setting the directory structure is not as simple as you might think - you need to balance the categories well to get them to be most profitable (we're still making adjustments).
Another thing is merchants will pay if you send them traffic. Targeted traffic - potential customers. So you need to work hard on getting that targeted traffic to your site. Then let them know that you did. We work hard on site promotion and it's not easy.
Another point - you need to work hard at selling them the product. My partner is out sales department and she works hard at convincing people to pay us. Merchants are in no rush to spend money with the way the market is today. Selling is an art and having or being a good salesperson is a major plus. We take great care in handling our clients and having a professional look.
7. .can a Links SQL directory compeet with the "
big guns"? - well, in our field I think we are the big guns right now :D there was not much competition to speak of - no other big and professional cat related directory. There are pet related ones but we believe there is a need for a cat specific site. Our competition is in the printed media - but we offer a distinct product and play hard on our online advantages when we introduce the product to prospective clients.
More thoughts -
Right now we are breaking even - not really profitable. We spend money on promoting the site and we spent money of software (LSQL and some Java software for our cat related games). We work hard and we're not getting paid for our time yet. We belive it will take us a lot of hard work to get established and to get plenty of traffic. We are working hard on getting the press to know about the site and we hope to be seeing some results in the next couple of months. With traffic going up we want to make Meowhoo.com a brand name and we believe that when it is - then we'll see some nice profitst. It's no "get rich quick" thing. It is lots of hard work and it's also lots of fun.
If you love cats - visit www.TheCatSite.com
Visit my LinkSQL based Cat Site - www.Meowhoo.com