If you're a business owner who's done any research on directory submissions, then you know how critical they are to your overall internet marketing strategy. On one hand, they are a great way to generate targeting traffic to your site, and on the other hand, they are a great way to build links. Search engines determine rankings based on the number of links coming into your site, and they give greater value to one-way links than they do to reciprocal links. This makes directories a perfect answer to your quest for higher search engine rankings via inbound links. As you begin to utilize directory submissions to increase the success of your online business, be sure to avoid these top 5 mistakes.

1. Ignoring the rules. Each directory has its own unique set of submission guidelines. Not only that, but directories have their own human managers to review each submissions. This means that you risk having your submission rejected if you don't follow the submission guidelines meticulously.

2. Turning your submission into a sales pitch. Your directory submission should list only the facts about your business and your website. Directory managers will reject your submission outright if your description includes flowery language or marketing phrases. Use third-person language and be as objective as possible. Likewise, avoid keyword stuffing. This will also get your submission rejected immediately.

3. Stuffing your submission title. Some directories require that you submit a title that matches the title of your website exactly, while others will allow you to include some keywords along with the title. Pay close attention to the directory's regulations on this. And if you happen to be submitting to a directory that allows you to include a few keywords, just pick one or two of your most important keywords along with a slogan that will let the directory user know exactly what your website is about. If your title is stuffed with keywords, the directory manager will reject it right away since the directory also risks being labeled by search engines as spam if the search engine believes that there is stuffing going on.

4. Using an errant email address. Try to make sure that the email address you submit matches the domain that you're submitting. A directory editor will be suspicious of any email address from Hotmail, Yahoo, and Gmail, as these are often associated with mass submission software. Mass submission software often submits sites to directories with absolutely no regard for guidelines or regulations. Use your company email address whenever possible. This will make directory managers much less suspicious of your submission.

5. Leave the sales pitch out of the description. When you submit your site to a directory, you will be asked to write a short description. This description will typically be displayed in the directory along with the link to your site. Make sure that you write your description in third-person language. It should be factual, brief, and relevant. Remember, the description is the piece that has the potential to compel a directory user to click on your site. Your site will likely be ignored if you describe it as the “Best widget in the world!” Everyone thinks their product is the greatest, but directory users want to be able to make that decision for themselves.

Since directories are managed by humans, you need to pay particularly close attention to your submissions. Directory managers see hundreds of submissions per day, and their job is easier if they can reject submissions outright. They're looking for any reason to do so, so make sure you follow the rules. If you need further guidance regarding using directory submissions to build your business, don't hesitate to contact an internet marketing professional or SEO expert. He can help you determine how to best use directories to promote your business and help you avoid mistakes that could cost you traffic and sales.