The operation of an industry specific, topic specific or geographic specific directory like a lawyer directory or a real estate directory is an internet business possibility. Some directory services aren't even specific but contain a wide variety of directory listings that are seemingly unrelated. Some directory services, like Open Directory Project are free directory services.

Website owners who are interested in having their business website listed in the directory submit their site to the directory and it is evaluated by editors to determine whether or not the website is relevant to the subjects under which the website owner wishes to be listed. While there are directory services that provide free advertising alternatives for website owners, some directory services, especially specialty services like a real estate or lawyer directory, charge advertising fees to list a website in their directory.

In order to start a directory service like a lawyer directory, you need a directory-style website designed and developed. Directory websites generally have directory listings as well as search options that enable directory users to search for specific information in the directory. Listings are generally organized by category. For instance, with a lawyer directory you may have categories for defense lawyers, contract lawyers, family law specialists, and so forth. A directory-type website is not incredibly complicated to design and develop. Most experienced website designers and developers will be able to provide advice on developing a directory service website.

There are two types of marketing associated with the operation of a directory. You have to market to advertisers who will list their services in the directory, and to those who are interested in obtaining the information that is listed in the directory. So, in essence, when you operate a directory service as an internet business, you have two major target markets to reach which requires a multi-faceted marketing program. If you were to start a lawyer directory, for instance, you would need to decide if your directory will list lawyers in a specific geographic area, of a specific specialty or branch of the law, or if it will be a general directory of all types of lawyers who practice in various specialties.

To attract advertisers for your lawyer directory, of course you should try to get your website listed in the search engines either through search engine optimization or pay-per-click listings. You can also advertise your directory in industry- specific publications and classified ads. Another useful method of attracting advertisers for a lawyer directory is to obtain a mailing list or phone list of lawyers who fit into your target market and to contact them either through telemarketing, direct mail or email marketing to try and sell ad space in your lawyer directory.

Using the search engines is by far the best method for marketing to consumers who will be seeking the information contained in your lawyer directory. Link exchanges with information websites that provide legal advice or copies of laws and statutes may also be an effective method for promoting a lawyer directory and making it easy for consumers to find and access the directory information. Once you get traffic coming to your lawyer directory, it will be much easier to sell advertisements in the directory and to earn revenues from directory advertising fees.

The examples given here are specific to a lawyer directory; however, the same concepts can be applied to launch, operation and marketing of any type of directory service. In comparison to other ideas for making money on the internet with an internet- based business, operating a directory service could be time consuming since directory listings are actually reviewed by human editors and progressive marketing efforts are needed to get listings and promote the directory to consumers; however, operating a directory service is an internet business possibility.

Copyright Christopher J. Enders. Are you at the end of your rope, fed up and confused by all the scrambled internet marketing advice you're getting? Whether you are new to internet marketing, or a website owner who wants to make more money from your website, learn the proven strategies that will sky-rocket your internet business at http://BiznessTips.com