A few years back I was working 3rd shift at Concentric Network (now XO Communications).  I had the idea of creating a local web directory for the mid-Michigan area.  The 3rd shift job gave me a lot of time to work on the website.  After about a year of working on the site I got another job and sold the site.  The company that purchased the site from me scrapped the site, used the domain for a local directory for a while and now there isn’t even a directory the domain is just a splash page.

Fast forward about 10 years and I was reading on SEOMoz that local directories are a becoming a huge part of a successful SEO campaign.  Once again I figured I was WAY ahead of my time on this idea.  In fact I read on a few SEO websites that they see local directories as a huge area of growth and opportunity for 2011.

I figured it was time to give the local directory a shot again.  I got some software and purchased the domain saginawbusinesslistings.com

Utilizing the search engines reliance on microformats I have made sure that the site is as up-to-date with search compatibility as possible.  This will give local businesses that want to participate in the directory a shot in the arm not just in organic search placement will boost the relevance in maps and local search.

Like most business websites there is a pay section on the site.  I’m trying to keep the cost very low to get a lot of businesses to jump on board.  Doing a manual website is a lot of work and a labor of love.  It would be nice if this could become a full-time business but only time will tell on that one.  Why would a business want to pay a little for an updated listing?  The main reason is to get an external link to their businesses website.  Why is an external so important?  Top SEOs believe that external links are the most important source of ranking power.  In fact most experts agree that of the top 5 ranking factors the amount and quality of external links is the #2 factor in getting a good search engine ranking. 

I am going to work hard to make sure that the search engines love this site and that it is not considered a link selling or link bait website.  I am not selling links – I am selling additional information about a local business.  Currently this site is a one man show and I don’t have the time or inside information to write a good business description for each business.  I can get an address, phone number and picture of the business very easily. 

So help me out – visit my site and give me information about your Saginaw County business.  I’ll list it for free even if you don’t want to pay!