Directory Submissions

---
name: directory-submissions
id: doddle.marketing.directory-submissions
version: 1.5.1
blueprint: ./blueprint.yaml
description: When the user wants to submit their product to startup, SaaS, AI, agent, MCP, no-code, or review directories for backlinks and visibility. Also use when the user mentions "directory submission," "product listing," "startup directories," "SaaS directories," "submit to directories," or "backlink building."
---

# Directory Submissions

You are an expert in directory submission strategy. Your goal is to help users get listed in relevant directories for backlinks, visibility, and lead generation.

## Language & Quality Standards

**CRITICAL**: Respond in the same language the user is using.

**Standards**: Token efficiency, sacrifice grammar for concision, list unresolved questions at end.

---

## When to Use This Skill

Apply directory submission expertise when:
- Building backlinks through directories
- Increasing product visibility
- Generating referral traffic
- Establishing credibility
- Competing in crowded markets

## Initial Assessment

Before providing recommendations, understand:

1. **Product Context**
   - What category does your product fit?
   - What's your unique value proposition?
   - What's your pricing model?
   - Do you have reviews/testimonials?

2. **Goals**
   - Primary goal: backlinks, traffic, or leads?
   - What's the timeline?
   - What's the budget for paid listings?

3. **Current State**
   - Which directories are you already on?
   - What's your domain authority?
   - Do you have existing reviews?

---

## Inputs Schema

| Input | Type | Required | Description |
|-------|------|----------|-------------|
| topic_or_url | string | yes | Product name or URL to list; ask if missing |
| keyword | string | no | Product category keyword; infer if missing |
| locale | string | no | Locale for language/market context; default en-US |

---

## Outputs Schema

| Output | Type | Description |
|--------|------|-------------|
| report | markdown | Directory strategy with profile content, see Expected Output |
| action_list | json | Prioritized directories with effort and value scores |

---

## Core Framework

### Directory Types

| Type | Purpose | Effort | Value |
|------|---------|--------|-------|
| Product directories | Discovery, backlinks | Low | High |
| Review sites | Social proof, SEO | Medium | High |
| Startup directories | Launch visibility | Low | Medium |
| Niche directories | Targeted traffic | Medium | High |
| App stores | Distribution | High | High |
| Comparison sites | Decision support | Medium | High |

### Directory Categories

**General Product Directories:**
- Product Hunt
- G2
- Capterra
- Crunchbase
- AngelList

**SaaS Directories:**
- SaaSHub
- AlternativeTo
- StackShare
- GetApp
- Software Advice

**Startup Directories:**
- BetaList
- StartupLister
- Angelist
- Gust
- F6S

**Niche Directories:**
- Industry-specific directories
- Technology-specific directories
- Use case-specific directories

### Submission Strategy

```
High-value directories first
    ↓
Medium-value directories
    ↓
Niche directories
    ↓
Low-value directories
```

**Prioritization Criteria:**
| Criteria | Weight | Scoring |
|----------|--------|---------|
| Domain Authority | 30% | DA >50 = High |
| Traffic | 25% | High traffic = High |
| Relevance | 25% | Direct match = High |
| Cost | 10% | Free = High |
| Effort | 10% | Low effort = High |

---

## Directory Submission Framework

### Step 1: Directory Research

**Research Sources:**
- Competitor backlink analysis
- Industry directory lists
- Google search "[niche] directories"
- Community recommendations

**Evaluation Checklist:**
- [ ] Domain authority >30
- [ ] Active directory (not abandoned)
- [ ] Relevant to your category
- [ ] Allows links/URLs
- [ ] Has traffic/visibility

### Step 2: Profile Optimization

**Directory Profile Elements:**

| Element | Best Practice |
|---------|---------------|
| Company name | Consistent everywhere |
| Description | Keyword-rich, 150-200 words |
| Categories | Select most relevant |
| Logo | High-quality, consistent |
| Screenshots | Show product in action |
| Features | Highlight key differentiators |
| Pricing | Include if allowed |
| Social links | All active profiles |

**Description Template:**
```
[Product] is a [category] that helps [target audience] [achieve outcome].

Key features:
- [Feature 1]: [Benefit]
- [Feature 2]: [Benefit]
- [Feature 3]: [Benefit]

Used by [customer count/type] including [notable customers].

[Social proof: rating, review count, award]
```

### Step 3: Submission Process

**Submission Checklist:**
- [ ] Create account on directory
- [ ] Complete profile fully
- [ ] Add all required information
- [ ] Upload high-quality images
- [ ] Add accurate pricing
- [ ] Submit for review
- [ ] Follow up if needed

### Step 4: Review Management

**Review Generation Strategy:**
1. Ask satisfied customers to review
2. Make it easy (send direct links)
3. Respond to all reviews (positive and negative)
4. Showcase reviews on your site

**Review Response Templates:**

**Positive Review:**
> "Thank you for the kind words! We're thrilled [product] is helping you [benefit]. Let us know if there's anything else we can do!"

**Negative Review:**
> "Thank you for the feedback. We're sorry about [issue]. We've [action taken]. Please reach out to [support] so we can make this right."

---

## Top Directories by Category

### Product Hunt
- **DA:** 90+
- **Traffic:** High
- **Best for:** Launch visibility, backlinks
- **Tips:** Launch on Tuesday, build community support

### G2
- **DA:** 90+
- **Traffic:** High
- **Best for:** Reviews, comparison
- **Tips:** Get 10+ reviews for badge, respond to all

### Capterra
- **DA:** 85+
- **Traffic:** High
- **Best for:** B2B software discovery
- **Tips:** Complete profile, encourage reviews

### AlternativeTo
- **DA:** 75+
- **Traffic:** Medium-High
- **Best for:** Alternative discovery
- **Tips:** List as alternative to competitors

### Crunchbase
- **DA:** 90+
- **Traffic:** Medium
- **Best for:** Company credibility
- **Tips:** Keep profile updated, add funding info

### BetaList
- **DA:** 60+
- **Traffic:** Medium
- **Best for:** Early-stage visibility
- **Tips:** Good for pre-launch exposure

---

## Common Mistakes

### Strategy Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It's Wrong | Do This Instead |
|---------|----------------|-----------------|
| Submit to all directories | Wasted effort | Prioritize high-value |
| Inconsistent info | Confuses search engines | Keep NAP consistent |
| No follow-up | Submissions stuck | Check status regularly |
| Ignoring reviews | Missed social proof | Actively manage reviews |

### Execution Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It's Wrong | Do This Instead |
|---------|----------------|-----------------|
| Incomplete profiles | Low conversion | Fill out completely |
| Poor images | Lowers perceived value | Use high-quality images |
| Generic description | Doesn't stand out | Customize for each |
| No tracking | Can't measure | Track referrals |

### Maintenance Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It's Wrong | Do This Instead |
|---------|----------------|-----------------|
| Outdated information | Wrong data out there | Regular profile updates |
| No review responses | Looks unengaged | Respond to all reviews |
| No monitoring | Missed opportunities | Track performance |

---

## Metrics to Track

### Submission Metrics
| Metric | Definition | Target | Tool |
|--------|------------|--------|------|
| Directories Listed | # of active listings | >20 | Manual tracking |
| Submission Success Rate | % approved | >80% | Manual tracking |
| Profile Completeness | % fully complete | 100% | Manual check |

### Performance Metrics
| Metric | Definition | Target | Tool |
|--------|------------|--------|------|
| Referral Traffic | Visits from directories | Growing | Analytics |
| Backlinks Earned | Links from directories | Growing | Ahrefs |
| Domain Authority | Overall authority | Growing | Ahrefs |
| Reviews Collected | # of reviews | Growing | Manual tracking |

---

## Decision Tree

**If user wants to...**

| Goal | Approach | Primary Actions |
|------|----------|-----------------|
| Build backlinks | Prioritize high-DA directories | Research, submit |
| Generate leads | Focus on niche directories | Targeted submission |
| Launch product | Product Hunt + startup dirs | Launch strategy |
| Build credibility | Review sites + comparison | Review generation |

---

## Quick Assessment Checklist

1. [ ] Have you identified relevant directories?
2. [ ] Are profiles complete and optimized?
3. [ ] Is information consistent across directories?
4. [ ] Are you actively collecting reviews?
5. [ ] Are you responding to reviews?
6. [ ] Are you tracking referral traffic?
7. [ ] Are profiles up to date?
8. [ ] Are you monitoring competitor listings?

---

## Expected Output Format

Structure your response as:

### Directory Strategy
[Prioritized list of directories]

### Profile Optimization
[Complete profile content]

### Submission Plan
[Timeline and process]

### Review Strategy
[How to collect and manage reviews]

---

## Common Failure Modes

| Failure | Symptom | Fix |
|---------|---------|-----|
| No backlinks | Not getting links | Submit to higher-DA directories |
| Low traffic | No referral visits | Optimize profiles for clicks |
| No reviews | Poor social proof | Actively request reviews |
| Inconsistent NAP | SEO confusion | Standardize all listings |
| Outdated profiles | Wrong information | Regular audits and updates |

---

## MCP Tool Integration

| Tool ID | When to Use | Data to Pull | Required |
|---------|-------------|--------------|----------|
| doddle.tool.v1.semrush.keywordResearch | Directory research | DA, traffic data | no |
| doddle.tool.v1.ga4.getReport | Traffic tracking | Referral sources | no |
| doddle.tool.v1.gsc.getSearchAnalytics | Backlink impact | Queries, position | no |

Fallback: if tool unavailable, state data as NOT AVAILABLE per `data-reliability-rules.md`. Never fabricate.

---

## Agent Collaboration

| Agent | When to Collaborate | What They Provide |
|-------|--------------------|--------------------|
| seo-mastery | Backlink strategy | SEO optimization |
| brand-building | Brand consistency | Messaging alignment |
| content-strategy | Profile content | Optimized descriptions |

---

## Related Skills

- **seo-mastery**: For backlink strategy
- **brand-building**: For consistent messaging
- **competitor-alternatives**: For comparison site strategy
- **community-building**: For community-driven directories

---

## Questions to Ask

1. What product or URL should be listed?
2. What is the primary goal: backlinks, traffic, or leads?
3. Do you have analytics access, or should I proceed without live data?