Ten Art Directories That Artists Should Be In
by Linkism.com
If you build it, they don't necessarily just come. To have a
steady stream of visitors to your website you have to continually
have your website address in front of people and one of the
best ways to do that is to have your site placed in good directories
and link collections. Having your link on as many good quality
directories and websites as possible also helps with being found
by search engines.
To begin with you should start with adding a links page to your
own website. Most other artists and art resource sites only
accept new links that are willing to reciprocate their link.
Don't be afraid of losing visitors by having links to your competition
as the benefits will far outweigh any doubts you have about
listing other art sites. If you are still hesitant, think of
the laws of Karma (giving and receiving) or the saying "you
scratch my back and I'll scratch yours".
1. DMOZ - http://dmoz.org/
The DMOZ directory is in my opinion the most important link
you can get. Not necessarily because you will get a lot of traffic
from the DMOZ website, but because of the other websites that
use the directory. Google uses DMOZ for its directory and so
do a lot of other major websites. Follow the guidelines for
adding your site carefully!
Accepts : All categories
Negatives : It can take forever to be listed. Be sure to follow
the listing requirements exactly!
Positives : Google also uses DMOZ for its directory.
2. Linkism - http://www.linkism.com/
Art Directory of quality sites that requires a reciprocal link
or a once of fee of $15USD. Painters usually receive several
listings: eg abstract
painters, American
painters and painters beginning with B
would be a typical painters listing. All listing are added in
the new sites
for the month too.
Accepts : Art related sites
Negatives : No free domains listed.
Positives : Receives good traffic and premium options are very
affordable.
3. Painters Keys Directory - http://www.painterskeys.com/links.asp
Nice layout, organized and popular. I don't believe a reciprocal
link is required but I'm sure it would be appreciated. Robert
Genn also publishes a quality newsletter for artists.
Accepts : Living artists
Negatives : Artists are only categorized alphabetically,
not by style.
Positives : Listings look good and the newsletter is a good
read for artists.
4. ArtQuotes.net Art Directory - http://www.artquotes.net/directory/
Directory of the popular artquotes.net portal. Currently only
accepting paid submissions, but well worth the small fee if
you are in a popular category! Also offers several cheap advertising
options for artists.
Accepts : Living artists, Famous artists and Artist resources
Negatives : No exchange links accepted.
Positives : Popular site with good traffic.
5. Art Promote - http://www.artpromote.com/
Three options to submit your site that includes paid or reciprocal
submissions. Popular directory that is worth paying the extra
for a premium submission.
Accepts : Living artists, Famous artists and Artist resources
Negatives : No complaints here..
Positives : Well established art site with good traffic.
5. Paintings Directory - http://www.paintings-directory.com/
An artists directory in French and English. Paintings Directory
requires a reciprocal link back or you can choose to pay a small
fee to be listed at the top of your category.
Accepts : Living Artists and Famous artists (masters)
Negatives : Listings are not very search engine friendly.
Positives : Large listing of artists.
6. Art Web Links - http://www.artweblinks.com/
Art directory offering an exchange link option or a small fee
for premium listing.
Accepts : Living artists and Artist resources
Negatives : Traffic is growing?.
Positives : Listing can also upload a small image.
7. Yahoo Directory - http://dir.yahoo.com/
The Yahoo! directory can be an excellent source of regular traffic
for artists but getting listed can be a challenge. You can submit
your site for free but don't hold your breathe while you're
waiting to be added. Or you can choose to pay the US$299 annual
listing fee to have your site reviewed within 7 days. Webmasters
are either very much for or against the value of a Yahoo! Directory
listing, but I think your budget should decide. If you have
the money I highly recommend giving it a try.
Accepts : All categories
Negatives : Wildly expensive to be listed.
Positives : Yahoo! is the most popular site on the internet.
9. Art Resources - http://www.artresources.co.uk/
Resources section of the "Art Industri" website in
the UK. Any directory that can reliably send you 10 or more
visitors each month is worth the effort to submit and exchange
links with.
Accepts : Art related sites
Negatives : Artists listings could be categorized better.
Positives : Popular site that has been around for a long time.
10. d'art Fine Art - http://dart.fine-art.com/
Requires you to join (free if you choose "collector/community
membership") and you have to place a reciprocal link back.
Links are categorized and easy to navigate. You should generally
receive a steady stream of traffic from d'art.
Accepts : Living artists and Artist resources
Negatives : Submissions can either disappear or requirements
to be listed are very harsh!
Positives : One of the more popular art portals on the Internet
Getting your site placed on these directories is just the start..
a very good start, but certainly no reason to stop. The Internet
is continually changing so you have to change with it. Get your
website listed in as many relevant places as you can. Set a
goal to submit your site to one site every day/week/fortnight/month,
depending on how much free time you have.
Keep your own links page focused rather than just adding links
to anyone that asks. You might choose to only exchange links
with other artists, or only art sites, or sites related to your
subject matter. Your links collection will soon start to gain
in popularity as people realize it is a carefully selected and
not just a link free for all collection, it gains respect from
other artists/webmasters and from the search engines as they
like focused collections of anything. Just don't get to a point
where you think you've finished promoting your website or you
will soon see your hard earned traffic disappear.
Good Luck with getting listed!
