qlWeb Internet Scripts - Home of qlWebDS Web Directory Script

What is a Web Directory
A web directory is a portal and a compilation of information on other websites where site owners, promoters and webmasters may submit their sites to relevant categories. Each site submitted becomes a link to a given site. It may include a title, logo, thumbnail and most definitely should include a description of the site listed. Many directories offer other services such as SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tools, articles, directory submissions. Directories have become very popular as they are a very important tool in SEO.

Where to Start
Think of qlWebDS as your starting point. Here you can download the script for your directory and get advice on domain names and hosting. First, you have to choose and buy a domain name that will be relevant to content or catchy enough to gain attention of other directory users and owners. You can purchase hosting and your domain name at RegisterMyWWW. While you visit there, look around for a hosting plan that will be necessary to get your site going on the Internet. If you wish to have a single directory, purchase an Economy hosting plan. For multiple sites or directories get a Deluxe or a Premium plan. These two plans will allow you to host as many sites as the disk space will allow. Your site's name (domain) becomes your advertisement and cannot be changed later so choose wisely. Also, when choosing an operating system for your hosting select Linux.

Installing your qlWebDS Directory Script
Let's get back to your new directory. You have a domain name and a hosting plan. Now login to your hosting account and link your new domain with your hosting. While you there, don't forget to create a MySQL (most popular Open Source SQL database management system) database. This is really simple. All you need to do is to click on Create New Database, choose the name for it, user name and password. The next step is to download a copy of qlWebDS to your computer and then to upload it to your new hosting account. You may use any FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program or any browser to do this. The FTP link was emailed to you by your hosting company immediately after signing up for their services. Once your upload is finished type this in your browser: http://www.YourDirectoryName.com/install.php and follow the instructions. Once done, do not forget to delete the install .php from your server.

Big smile on your Face
Now you should be able to view your directory on line. Is it awesome or what? The best part about this is the fact that you are in control of everything that can be done with it and your are now a proud directory owner. In case you experience any technical difficulties and do not have a big smile on your face by now, feel free to contact qlWebDS staff to assist you in setting up the account and operating the script.

Customizing the Settings
Next phase takes us to administrative set up of your site which will include admin set up and choosing your template. Our step by step manual will take you through each process building your confidence and understanding of qlWebDS script. The operation of the script is so easy that most directory owners never get to read it. Easy to operate menu provides speedy mobility between functions without extensive technical understanding of the scripts. Few simple clicks will let you adjust all admin settings according to your personal preference. At no point you have to access "raw" parts of the script to create needed settings unless you have HTML (HyperText Markup Language), PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) knowledge and the desire to do so.

Spend the time to create a short but clear META description and keywords. Use clear sentences that talk about your site and its content. They will be read by search engines and are very crucial to your future success. The rest is just a breeze. Enter your site name, email address and choose how many links you want to display per page. Once this part is done, move on to user settings.

There, you will find options that you'll choose to present to users when they submit to your directory. The unique features provide variety of combinations that allow you to control your look and content. These settings allow user to submit to more than one subcategory or create their own. Option of multiple submissions gives users ability to be listed in more than one relevant category. The beauty of qlWebDS is automatic approval reliefs you of approving each site that has been submitted. This feature can attract a lot of attention because instant approvals are welcomed by directory users and other directory owners. This great but controversial feature should be used with caution and wisdom. You definitely do not want just about every site on the Internet to be automatically approved. This however would be a great bonus for your paid customers to be able to see their links displayed immediately. If you want to have the pleasure of individually editing each site simply turn off the auto approval and revise your submitted jewels one by one.

To charge or not to charge
Now you have to figure whether to charge a fee and how much or provide a free service. If you are a beginner, it may be smart to start as a free directory until you get a hang of the dynamics of operating a web directory. Being free, at least in the beginning, will build your PR (PageRank) and link popularity. There are many free and paid options available to you. You may offer free regular links and paid featured links. You should never offer featured links at no charge because your directory would only consist of such. At any given time and with one click, you can go from free to paid or offer a short free periods by announcing it on forums to promote and get other webmasters to visit your site. There will be more about promotion, popularity, backlinks and operating a successful directory.

Displaying Ads and Banners
If you interested in making money with your directory, qlWebDS is a perfect choice. In your admin, paste your AdSense code to display Google ads in the locations you choose. Once again you do not have to go into the script to utilize this option. Utilize the Script's Banner Rotator and you'll be able to sell ad space by displaying paid ads or advertising your other sites and services.

Final Notes
qlWebDS was designed to avoid hassles of complicated operations and time consuming adjustments needed to have your directory running. User friendly options are results of our personal experiences operating directories and encounters with other scripts. In unique features of qlWebDS, we implemented ideas and functions that we thought will be useful in making directories easy to operate and provide minimum challenge to new directory owners who are not experience with this growing internet field. Good luck to all of you enjoy our product and do not hesitate to give us your feedback as well as suggestions for new qlweb features. Visit our forum to establish connections with other qlWeb users worldwide, exchange ideas and build your directory links. Our staff can be reached by phone, fax, email or forum so do not hesitate to contact us.