Directories
Directories are curated lists or databases of resources, tools, services, businesses, etc. I formulate some patterns to follow and document directories I build. They are super easy to make.
Started: 2025-04-19
Updated: 2025-04-21
My directories (started building my first one)
Resources
YouTube
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John Rush on Greg Isenberg's Podcast
- Curated, high quality data is important
- How to find directory ideas: keyword research, Google Keyword Planner, exact match of domain name and keyword, thesaurus when domain is taken, features like reviews come later, FAQ
- Promoting your new directory: Reddit, other directories, Social media, share with experts
- SEO for directories: 10 articles in the first month
- Monetization: Build software on top of it, ads, affiliate, paid access, paid submit, lead magnet for SaaS
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Frey Chu on Greg Isenberg's Podcast
- Evergreen and location based directories
- Examples of profitable directories: RoadsideAmerica, Atlas Obscura, Find a Grave, LocalHarvest
- Finding and validating directory ideas: Ahrefs, 30-100k monthly searches, low competition, specific data
- Data collection and enrichment: Scraping, showing features and getting data from Google reviews
- Building pages for specific locations
Build a directory
1. Come up with ideas
I guess it helps that you are interested in the data yourself.
2. Validate directory idea
Is it so good and helpful that people share it?
3. How to build it
Pattern Language for directories:
- Homepage
- List item