Limiting entries in a directory - good or bad?

[amanoffewwords]

Hi,

I'm thinking of limiting the number of entries to my webmaster directory (http://www.greatdirectorysite.com) to say, 5000 - both to maintain some sort of quality and to make it manageable.

Any new additions after that will be in a Q. until such time as a space becomes available - with natural depletion of entries (dead URL's, change of content etc) I don't expect the turnaround to be that long even after the 5000 limit is reached - maybe 1-2 months perhaps?

What do you peeps think about this idea? Is it a no-no or ok?

Cheers,
Charles

[Dan]

could work as long as you keep everything current.

[Catfish]

You could find that your quality requirements change as you get closer to the limit, and it encourages you to be increasingly strict. That's no bad thing, in my opinion. A selective directory is a much more useful tool than one which lists tons of sites in no particular order of merit.

[Ernster]

I dont think that's such a great idea. Im sure traffic would drop off if you decide to do that as visitors want to see new links added. I think a better strategy is to go free at first and once you have a good amount of links, than go paid (a few bucks would mean that most people could still afford to be listed). There is a negative view about going paid only since some good sites will never be able to be included. That's not your problem, because fact is, you will never list every good site anyway, and as Nintendo says....quality not quantity:)

[Nikkiblue]

Hi Charles!
I agree with Ernster. I dont like the idea. You'll end up with a stale directory with tons of pending links.
Quality isnt determined by the amount of links in a directory. To keep your directory current, you will need to add new categories to keep up with the trends.

[Dan]

potentially you could taken Ernster's idea, with a slight twist. You said get the 5000 then close all submissions. What about if you got the 5000 then converted to paid. So you have a good base of websites, and the paid will be a lot smaller by comparison to free submissions, so it will be an easy maintainer.

[amanoffewwords]

Thanks All!

Glad to get a different perspective on the issue - I can see now how the "you're in a Q. waiting for someone else to drop off" might backfire, so plan B it is then: 5000 free then possibly paid (leaving possibly in, in case I change my mind :D ). I have long way to get 5000 so I'll review it nearer the time depending on traffic stats/PR/general interest etc.

One thing I'm determined to avoid is adding any Google Ads/Banners etc - I may slip a couple of CJ links in the footer but I definitely want to keep it clean/un-cluttered looking.

And speaking of quality links, I wish to apologise to the owner of the tuxedo buying advice site - I had to reject you as I simply could not figure where to place you on my webmaster resources site. :rolleyes:

Cheers,
Charles

[Dan]

As long as you honour the free queue, whilst it is available, and don't just dump those in the backlog when you convert to pay-for, all should go smoothly.

[amanoffewwords]

Yep, I have added a countdown counter - i.e. "xxxx Free links available" which refreshes when links are approved or removed + I'll add a link to a page that explains what it means + announce a time/date closer the time as to when the switch will happen. You'll also be able to read about it in the business pages of New York Times of course :D