We are all familiar with directory submissions to create backlinks, but are you familiar with article submissions? Using article directories to promote a website is a highly effective marketing option, and a great way to draw traffic to your website.

What are article directories? These are websites where thousands of articles are posted. They are therefore generally large websites, making them attractive to search engine crawlers. Articles can be easily found by readers as they are categorized by subject. Articles are also linked together. So if a reader is checking an article about « SEO techniques », he will move from one article to another on that specific topic. These articles can also be exported to the readers own website (usually for free, but a small fee may apply).

How does your site benefit from article directories? As the owner of an article, when submitting one, it will hold a bio with a link to your website. What this means, is that someone who is searching online and comes across the article directory, will see a link to your website. Furthermore, if your article is exported by someone to their website, they are required to keep it exactly as it was found in the directory, meaning that your link can potentially show up in many websites. You do want that!

When submitting an article you need to do two things. You need to carefully choose your keywords. The right density of keywords is a key factor, and those need to appear naturally within the content. If done properly, crawlers will be drawn to your website, and expose your link. You also need to come up with unique and informative content. Submitting an article that is too similar to other published articles will not retain readers attention, who will in turn not find a use to include it in their website, or continue reading it. You also want your article to be helpful to the reader. Two reasons for this. If it is helpful, the reader will read the entire article, and reach your link at the bottom. You will also be viewed as an expert, which will give the reader a reason to visit your site, and grant greater marketing value to whatever you have to offer.

So on top of submitting your website in regular directories, submitting your articles and your links will result in better traffic results. Might want to try it…