Free guide · PremiumPress Playbooks

The Directory Playbook

How to plan, build and grow a directory website that earns money from the businesses listed on it.

How to pick a niche that pays, and check it with Google Trends and Keyword Planner
Local, national or international: where to start
Domains, GoDaddy Auctions and what to look for in hosting
Filling an empty directory: your first 50 listings in 30 days
Pricing plans, selling upgrades with real numbers, and advertising
A launch checklist and a 90-day plan

40 pages

Nine parts, from the first idea to the first 90 days.

Read it online

Turn the pages in your browser, on any device.

Or download the PDF

Keep it, print it, share it with a partner.

Inside the book

Nine parts, in the order you'll need them

From the first idea to the first 90 days, with worked examples, charts and checklists on almost every page.

Part 1
The idea
Finding a niche that pays, Google Trends, Keyword Planner, local or international, and a scorecard.
Starts on page 4
Part 2
Plan the money
The five ways a directory earns, and how to price your plans.
Starts on page 15
Part 3
Name, domain and hosting
Naming, domains, GoDaddy Auctions, hosting and business setup.
Starts on page 17
Part 4
Build the site
Design, structure, search, maps and payments.
Starts on page 24
Part 5
Fill an empty directory
Seeding, claims and your first fifty listings.
Starts on page 28
Part 6
Earn trust
Reviews, verification and moderation.
Starts on page 31
Part 7
Get found
Site structure for search, content that ranks, and your first visitors.
Starts on page 32
Part 8
Grow the revenue
Selling upgrades with real numbers, and advertising.
Starts on page 35
Part 9
Launch
The checklist, the first 90 days, and the mistakes to avoid.
Starts on page 37