Business Directory Provides Valuable Trade Leads

In order for businesses to thrive, it is very important that they get known so that people will patronize their products. One of the considerations that businesses should give attention to is getting listed in business directories. Consequently, people usually look at business directories when they are looking for business companies and services. As such business directories are beneficial to both business companies and consumers alike.

In Canada, there are a number of business directories that are available for the consumers. In fact, there are even a lot of online business directories which have a comprehensive listing of practically all important business categories. These categories include shopping, science, education, transportation, website and internet, schools, law directory, and computers among others. These categories have sub categories that include a more detailed classification of the businesses. These business directories are indeed a great help in searching for different businesses and services.

The travel category is one of the most visited categories in Canada's business directories. This is so because this is one of the fastest growing industries in Canada recently. Since Canada is such a big country, it is not surprising why travel would be one of its fastest growing industries. Local and international tourists visit many places in Canada for various reasons, thus the need for travel accommodations and arrangements has also increased. Listings of travel agencies and services are found under this category.

Correspondingly, if the travel category is getting much attention, then the transportation category also garners some attention. The transportation industry in Canada is also one of the busiest. Aside from the fact that many tourists flock to Canada, Canadian people are very dynamic such that they travel from one place to another frequently. This therefore demands the services of airlines, bus lines, and shipping lines. Moreover, even car rentals are greatly demanded in Canada's business directories.

Another category that is becoming popular is the shopping category. Many ecommerce businesses have already been established in the internet. In fact, this has become the trend lately; people do not bother to go to stores for their shopping needs but rather seek the convenience of online shopping. Thus, more and more online stores are emerging in the market.

Finally, another business directory category is education. Aside from regular schools and universities which advertise in the internet, there are also a lot of online universities that can be found online as well. These online universities offer practically the same courses that are offered in conventional schools and universities. Undeniably, people today wants to accomplish everything in a faster and a more convenient manner, thus online universities are becoming more and more popular each day. Listings of universities and schools can be found under the education category.

The Intelligent Person's Resource for Education and Learning

The internet is awash with information. Whether you are looking for information on cars or tin can production, you can be sure that there is a website which caters to your every need. Unlike the offline world, media outlets can cater for much smaller niches online. Because everyone from around the world can use the internet, coupled with the low cost of internet publishing, it is perfectly feasible for information to be written on a wide variety of subjects which do not cater for the masses.

Online search engines and directories also make finding information online much easier. Through using a search engine such as Google or Yahoo you can perform a search for a page that contains a keyword or phrase that is relevant to the information that you are looking for. The search engine will then present a list of pages that are sorted by the relevance of the pages to the search query that you entered.

Directories are also a useful resource for finding information, because instead of finding information that is sorted by an algorithm and gathered by a web crawler, you can benefit from the human touch. A directory can often be more helpful, because human perception is often much better at understanding user intent than an algorithm. An example of this is that if someone typed in "plumber" into a search engine, then the search engine will have no means of knowing if the person requires trade information for plumbers, a list of plumbers in their local area or information on the costs associated with hiring a plumber. With a directory they could have a main category called "Plumbers" and then sub-categories such as "trade information", "plumbers in New York" and "Information on Choosing a Plumber". This therefore makes it much easier for a directory user to navigate to the information they require than it does for a search engine user. With a directory a human editor will be able to remove SPAM and unhelpful content from their directory and therefore ensure that users will only be offered web pages that are genuinely helpful in yielding the results they require.

When someone is looking for educational resources then they do not want to be presented with options from companies that are looking to sell services, nor do they want to be manipulated into thinking they are getting information for free, then being asked to pay for it at the last minute. Such manipulative approaches to information retrieval plague the web in some respects; however that is not to say there should not be a way for media companies to earn revenue from sharing information. However, options such as clearly starting that there is a cost associated with viewing the content, or alternatively placing adverts along-side (but clearly separated from) content are also a great way to allow information sharing as part of a viable business model. With the evolution of the internet, viewing educational resources online will only get easier and more intuitive towards user demands.

Get Direct Traffic With Directory Submission

When the World Wide Web was young - or at least younger than it is now, most of us found what we wanted on the internet through directories. The most well known is Yahoo. The information on the site is organized in categories and subcategories, eventually 'drilling down' to a backlink to the sites that fit the categories. Webmasters still use directory submission to drive traffic to their website. However, directory submission traffic is different than search engine traffic - and with different benefits.

A search engine, which is more commonly, used today, searches websites to look for the best match based on the keywords that the internet user enters. The user often has to then scroll through the returned website links and pick the one that seems most likely to get them the information they need. Of course, webmasters use a number of backlinks, SEO targeting techniques and other strategies to drive their site to the top of the search engine list, so that the internet user sees the most popular sites - not necessarily the ones they are looking for. As a webmaster, the idea of using search engines is to drive a higher quantity of visitors to the site, hoping that some of them will stay, buy, or join or site.

With directory submission, the process is a bit different. The internet user is, in effect, their own 'search engine.' They go to the directory site and choose the category of information they want, then continue to choose sub-categories until they arrive at the list of sites - all of them backlinks - that contain what they are looking for.

For example, if you were to put the keywords 'graduate school' in a search engine, you will get sites related to the schools themselves, the top degrees, how to pay for graduate school and more. But what in a directory, let's say you would start by clicking on the broad category of 'education.' Then you could select 'graduate education,' then 'universities,' then the state, city, and finally arrive at the schools in the area you want with the kind of education you want. The result for the visitor is a more specific list of websites for the type of information they want. The benefit for webmasters is that when the visitor clicks on your backlink from a directory, you know that you are getting a targeted visitor. They specifically want a website in your category, and you will likely get a higher percentage of these visitors to convert to a customer, client, or member of your site.

The important thing to remember here is that directory submission is a technique that focuses on the quality of the visitor you receive - not the quantity. It will take some additional work to find the right directories for you, but in terms of targeted traffic it will be worth the effort.

When you look for directories to submit your website to, be sure that you assess them carefully first. Follow some of the category progressions to make sure that they make sense. Going from 'education' to 'diet pills' is not the kind of category progression you want. Make sure it's logical and that sites with irrelevant content are not listed in a category where they don't belong. This would only create lousy backlinks, making search engines - and worse, visitors - leery of following the directory's backlinks.

Importance of Directory Submission and the Value of Varied Titles

The major reason a website is built is to have it seen by the world, by customers, friends or family. The easy part is choosing a domain name, finding a place to host your website and in some cases writing the information you want to be seen by all. However, just because you have a website does not mean your website will even be found except by persons that you give the exact address. This is because it takes a lot of work to get your website in the major search engines. Oh, don't get me wrong, you will have a listing in Yahoo, Google, and a few more but more than likely you will not find your website if you search through the search engines using words other than the address at least not in the first few pages. You will probably find your website back past page 10.

Links to your website play a very important role with many of the search engines thus obtaining inbound links is a major part in the process of getting your website seen by the multiples. You can spend hours of your day trying to find quality website that you would like to display a link to your website, you can also pay others to place a link to your website on theirs, however, both of these ways are very time consuming and you still may not get the "back links" that you deserve. The easiest and best way to receive inbound links or back links to your website is through directory submissions.

Directories a few years back was the favorite for many people when searching for certain types of services, stores, and websites, however, today search engines have taken over this area. This certainly does not mean that directories are a thing of the past. Search engines love directories. Of course, you cannot depend on traffic from the directories but you can depend on search engines picking up your link that was found in the various directories. This will improve your rankings among the search engines since you will have more inbound links to your website.

Okay, you may be wondering why directories are so important and why search engines accept these links so readily. The answer is quite simple. When you submit your website to a directory, a real person views your submission, your website and your content to ensure that the website is a quality site, that you have the proper title, description and content for the category and sub-topic you chose. If all is well, your website will be included in the directory. This gives your website credibility that it is a quality website with relevant information on the topic, because of this search engines will naturally consider all links submitted to directories without thinking twice.

Another good thing about directories is they also supply their links and data to other websites databases and yes to some search engine databases. Search engines look at the type of back links you have, whether they are from quality directories and what other types of back links you have. This will help them determine your relevance and the quality of your website. Therefore, if you only have back links from sites that are not considered quality then your search engine ranking will not be as high as if you had back links from all quality websites and directories.

Many times, if you have several images, flash, or other items the search engines cannot read as well as the written word, they may not be able to categorize your website properly thus a low ranking will be given. However, if you are listed in directories, the search engine will then be able to give you a better listing, thus a better ranking.

Now, you know the importance of directory submissions to get your website seen, however, there is another less known fact that is more important if you wish to rank high in the search engines. This is the value you can receive from varied titles or anchored text which it is commonly called.

Anchored text will enable you to use keywords for optimizing your directory submission. For directories you will normally have to submit your front or home page to the directory. If you use keyword or keyword phrases that are not seen by the person accepting your website you may have your website rejected. It is very important to ensure that you have the keywords on your front page along with your description for you to receive quality inbound links.

Your anchor text or title should vary from one directory to another for more than one reason. One reason is of course, spam. If you have several inbound links with the same exact title this can be considered spam and most of the inbound links will not do you any good as they will be unacceptable by the search engines. Yes, it can be very hard to use the proper keywords in your title or anchor text to ensure quality links. However, using a keyword selector tool can help you know what words to use when creating your content; this will give you more options for your anchor text.

Next, when planning a title for your anchor text do not use wording that sounds like an advertisement. This is often unacceptable and you will not even get your website included in the directory let alone help you with receiving inbound links.

As an example, let's say you have a website devoted to educational toys. You can use various titles according to the toys that you have your website for your submission, such as Educational Toys for all Ages, Toys for the Bright Toddler, or Toys that make your little ones think. All of these could be used for the same website, use your imagination and be sure that the words appear on the page you are submitting. This will give you more inbound links which will give you more listings in the search engines under different topics, such as educational toys, toddler toys, or toys for little ones. With these you will have three inbound links from different directories.

Online Science Education - Resources For K to 12 Educators and Home School Parents

Are you looking for online science education resources to support teaching K-12 science? There are many resources on the internet and it is difficult for teachers to find the time to surf the web looking for online resources. The best option is to visit a one-stop resource for K-12 science educators' that is an online directory of resources designed for science education. Not only can teachers use a resource like this, it would also be perfect for parents' home schooling their children.

Inquiry Based Teaching and Learning

If you are looking for K-12 science lesson plans, web resources, and references to support inquiry based teaching and learning, you have probably found this search difficult. Like other web resources it takes time to surf the web and find them. What is needed is a directory of science inquiry based resources categorized into topics that support K-12 science teaching and learning. What is needed is for someone to do this for you.

Directory resources that are most valuable to K-12 science educators include lesson plans, assessment guides, curriculum guides, standards guidelines, search engines for science, and more. Also there is a need for online resources that support all science content areas.

Teaching Science using Technology

There are many types of technology strategies for teaching K-12 science. These include the use of web resources, online simulators, WebQuests, real-time data bases, online interactive websites, and many more options. A website that provides a directory of a wide variety of web based resources is very helpful to K-12 educators.

This type of website would be used to support their teaching strategies. Actively engaging students in learning, instead of being passive learners. You can take students on virtual field trips to places all over the world: zoos, volcanos in other countries, and more.

Additional Resources

Other K-12 online science education resources needed by teachers and parents include access to journals, current science news topics, and online science teaching research books. One particular resource that is needed is a guide for recommended reading books to support science at all grade levels. Reading is stressed even more today to meet state and national education requirements and an online resource would help educators save time trying to find books that meet content standards.

Because of the emphasis on standards and testing today, teachers do want to go to a website that waste their time. All resources need to be pre-screened to ensure that they meet national science standards' guidelines for teaching science using inquiry based practices. Also, that the technology based resources on the website meets national technology and science standards.

A directory that has updated links is especially important to provide resources. Teachers and parents are tired of going to science directories that are full of dead links. It wastes their time and frustration sets in, because more valuable time has been wasted.

Online College Directories Help You Find the Right School

You're thinking about going to college or technical school so that you can get a better job and improve your life. Good idea! But who has time to research colleges? You probably have a job or family responsibilities, and the idea of driving around to every college in your area seems daunting. And with the recent growth of online universities that are accessible through the Internet, your choices are almost limitless. You can earn your degree from a college on the other side of town or on the other side of the world!

How can you efficiently research your college choices? Fortunately, the Internet has made the process much easier. Of course you can do your own searches for programs you want, and visit individual college websites. But that can take time, and you may end up wasting hours poring over endless pages and not finding what you want.

The best solution is to use a powerful, convenient, and FREE online directory service. A reputable service will make it easy to find the colleges and programs that you want, and cut through the clutter. It's fast and easy and puts you in control.

What to Look For in an Online College Directory

When you log onto a college directory service, you'll see a "landing page" that gives you lots of choices. You may see the logos of featured schools, and links to educational articles. What you want is information, and to do that you need to perform a search. The site will be organized so that you can perform searches based on a number of criteria. Here are a few ways you can search.

--Campus location. If you want to attend a traditional college, you can select a defined geographical area or ZIP code radius. That way, you can see the colleges that are within travel distance of home or work, or colleges that are located in a city or region that you'd like to study in. For example, if you live in Colorado and want to attend college in Los Angeles, the directory can show you only those colleges in the Los Angeles area. Or, if you need to commute from home, the directory will show you colleges in your area.

--Online degrees. If you are interested in distance learning, the directory will connect you to colleges that offer online programs in the subject area that interests you.

--Degree type. You can ask the directory to connect you to colleges that offer the degree or program type that you want. These may include adult education programs, certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, even doctorates. For example, if you are interested in earning your Ph.D. in psychology online, you can find the colleges and universities that offer this program.

--Schedules. You can find out how the programs are presented and the demands on your time. If you are a working adult and plan to attend on campus, you'll want a program that offers flexible schedules and perhaps classes on weekends or in the evening. If you are researching online programs, there may be milestones or deadlines that you need to meet, but generally you can log on and either get the program material or complete your work on your own schedule.

--Financial aid. The online college directory will provide information on which colleges and career schools offer federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or education loans.

--Accreditation. You do not want to get a degree from a "diploma mill." Prospective employers will not be interested in hiring you if you present a degree from an unknown, non-accredited mystery college. The online directory will provide information on a college's accreditation.

Compare and Apply

The online college directory will allow you to research as many colleges as you need to, at no charge. The best strategy is to assemble a group of three or four, or even more, good prospects. Through the directory website you can contact each one. The schools will either send you additional information or, if you want, they'll contact you and to set up a tour or a visit with an admissions representative. Once you are comfortable with your choices, make your applications. Before you know it, you'll be on your way to a rewarding new career.