Don’t Forget DMOZ!

When making a list of the major search engine directories where you would like your practice website to be listed, you should not overlook one of the most important (and biggest) directories available: DMOZ (short for Directory Mozilla). DMOZ is just another name for the Open Directory Project – one of the largest and best human-powered submission directories on the web. The Open Directory Project (http://www.dmoz.org) was designed, and is currently operated by, a volunteer group of web editors and reviewers.

Be sure you’re prepared!

It won’t cost you a dime to get listed on DMOZ, but before you submit your website to the Open Directory Project for review, you need to be certain that it is developed with DMOZ standards in mind. You’ll need to comb through all of the pages in your website to make sure that it is elegant, professional and informative.

Your website should already be complete at the time you make your submission. That means that the design, structure and content of every single page should be finished. Unfinished websites will be rejected, without question. Also make sure that your website contains valuable and relevant information or your submission will most likely get “tossed in the trash.”

One of the benefits of being listed with the Open Directory Project is that your website will (sooner or later) appear in other search engines like Google and Yahoo. This happens because the DMOZ listings are crawled and used by numerous search engines and directories, including Google.

Submission is simple!

The submission process is relatively uncomplicated. Your first step is to visit the website of Open Directory Project: http://www.dmoz.org. You will be able to select a category and subcategories for your website, and add your site’s URL, along with a brief description about your website and the services you offer. Take care that you have selected the correct category and subcategory. Incorrect selection may result in longer waiting periods or rejection of your submission. Also read and follow the provided instructions and requirements very carefully.

The title and description that you submit should be thoughtfully prepared and reviewed to make sure they accurately describe the content and the main theme of your practice website. If DMOZ editors disagree with your description or title, they can either change it to reflect their assessment of your site, or simply reject your submission completely.

Be patient!

It may take some time (sometimes 6 months or longer) before your website shows up in the Open Directory Project. However, do not resubmit your site during the waiting period as this can only result in a longer delay or get your website rejected. Be patient, and regularly check the status of your submission by doing an appropriate search on DMOZ. If your website does not get listed for a long period of time, or gets rejected, you can also check on the status of the submission or request reasons for rejection by contacting the editors for the subcategory that you selected.

The bottom line: In the end, it’s well worth the time!