Directories

These are usually database sites , whereby the visitor can add their own entry to the directory using the submit page , the Yahoo directory is a good example .

Tip: If you do not want to use or do not have access to mysql or other related web database technology you could do as we did with the Shopwilts directory , whereby no database is used , one benefit is this method creates static pages so you are not having to be concerned about db crashes, the other main one is SPEED it is usually quicker to access static pages than search dbs. How it works : the merchant who wants to advertise completes the submit form , then the page is created in realtime using php to create the file based on the fields submitted. The file can then be included in the sitemap for site indexing by the search engine crawler (we use Wrensoft , a desktop application with built in ftp of the flat file search engine). Displaying an advert involves requires a php generated link or including the php file. This appears to work well for our site, it wouldn't work for Yahoo as they probably have 1000s of additions daily , but a site is perhaps OK. There are a few security issues such as putting a captcha on the submission form to ensure the visitor is a " real person ", and storing an encrypted pin number (supplied by advertiser to ensure they are only able to amend or delete the advert).