Phase 1: Pre-Submission Preparation
Before you start submitting to directories, you need to have everything in place. Rushing into submissions without proper preparation leads to inconsistent listings, rejected applications, and wasted time going back to fix issues.
1.1 Website Readiness Checklist
Your website is the foundation of every directory listing. Directories will reject submissions if your site looks incomplete or unprofessional.
Website Requirements
Run your site through Google PageSpeed Insights and fix any critical issues before submitting. Many directories manually review sites and will reject slow or broken websites.
1.2 Product Readiness
Most directories prefer products that are live or in public beta. Some accept coming-soon pages, but you will get better results with a functional product.
Product Status
Phase 2: Asset Checklist
Different directories require different assets. Prepare everything upfront so you can submit quickly without hunting for files mid-submission.
2.1 Logo Requirements
| Asset | Dimensions | Format | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square Logo | 512x512px | PNG (transparent) | Most directories, favicons |
| Square Logo (Small) | 240x240px | PNG (transparent) | Thumbnail displays |
| Square Logo (Large) | 1024x1024px | PNG (transparent) | High-res displays |
| Horizontal Logo | 400x100px | PNG (transparent) | Header displays |
| Logo with Background | 512x512px | PNG/JPG | Social sharing |
Logo Checklist
2.2 Screenshots
Screenshots are crucial for showcasing your product. Prepare multiple versions for different directory requirements.
Screenshot Checklist
Never use screenshots with real user data. Always use demo accounts or blur sensitive information. Some directories will reject submissions with visible personal data.
2.3 Video Assets
Video Checklist
2.4 Social Proof Assets
Social Proof Checklist
Phase 3: Copy Preparation
Prepare all your copy in advance. Different directories have different character limits, so having multiple versions ready saves significant time.
3.1 Descriptions
Short Description (50-80 characters)
Used for: Taglines, meta descriptions, social previews
[Action verb] + [for whom] + [key benefit]
Example: "AI writing assistant that helps teams create content 10x faster"
Medium Description (150-200 characters)
Used for: Directory listings, Twitter bios, elevator pitch
[Product name] is a [category] that helps [target audience] [achieve outcome] by [unique method]. [Key differentiator or proof point].
Example: "ContentBot is an AI writing platform that helps marketing teams create blog posts, ads, and social content 10x faster. Used by 5,000+ companies including Stripe and Notion."
Long Description (300-500 words)
Used for: Full directory profiles, about pages
Structure:
- Opening hook with main value proposition (1-2 sentences)
- Problem you solve (2-3 sentences)
- How your product solves it (2-3 sentences)
- Key features (bullet list of 4-6 items)
- Social proof (testimonial or metrics)
- Call to action
Copy Checklist
3.2 Feature Bullets
Prepare 10 feature bullets so you can select the most relevant ones for each directory.
Feature Bullet Formula
[Feature name]: [What it does] + [benefit to user]
Examples:
- AI Content Generation: Create blog posts, ads, and emails in seconds - save 10+ hours per week
- Team Collaboration: Share projects with unlimited team members and manage permissions easily
- 50+ Templates: Start with proven templates for every content type and customize to your brand
- SEO Optimization: Built-in SEO scoring ensures your content ranks higher in search results
3.3 Categories and Tags
Category Preparation
Phase 4: Account Setup
Set up your accounts strategically to streamline the submission process and maintain organization.
4.1 Email Strategy
Use a dedicated email for directory submissions to keep your inbox organized and track responses efficiently.
Email Setup
4.2 Account Creation Best Practices
Do
- Use consistent username across directories
- Use company email domain
- Complete all profile fields
- Upload professional founder photo
- Link to LinkedIn profile
- Use password manager
Don't
- Use personal Gmail for business
- Leave profile incomplete
- Use different names/branding
- Skip email verification
- Forget to save credentials
- Use weak passwords
Account Information to Prepare
Phase 5: Step-by-Step Submission Process
Follow this process for each directory submission to ensure consistency and completeness.
5.1 Pre-Submission (5 minutes)
Research the Directory
Before submitting, spend 2-3 minutes understanding the directory:
- What type of products do they feature?
- What is their approval criteria?
- Are there any specific requirements?
- What categories are available?
Check Existing Listings
Look at successful listings in your category to understand what works:
- How do top listings format their descriptions?
- What types of images do they use?
- What categories do similar products use?
5.2 Submission (10-15 minutes)
Create Account
Sign up using your dedicated directory email. Complete your profile fully before submitting your product.
Fill Out All Fields
Complete every field, even optional ones. Directories favor complete submissions.
- Use the appropriate description length
- Select all relevant categories
- Add all applicable tags
- Upload high-quality images
Review Before Submitting
Double-check everything:
- No typos or grammatical errors
- All links work correctly
- Images display properly
- Categories are accurate
Submit and Document
After submitting, immediately record the submission in your tracking system.
5.3 Post-Submission (2-5 minutes)
Confirm Email Verification
Check your email and complete any verification steps immediately.
Set Follow-up Reminder
If the directory has a review period, set a reminder to follow up if you haven't heard back.
Phase 6: Batch Submission Strategy
Submitting to directories one at a time is inefficient. Use batch processing to maximize your productivity.
6.1 Recommended Batch Approach
| Week | Focus | Directories | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | High-Priority Free | Product Hunt, BetaList, Hacker News, etc. | 4-6 hours |
| Week 2 | Niche Directories | Industry-specific directories | 3-4 hours |
| Week 3 | Review Sites | G2, Capterra, GetApp, etc. | 4-5 hours |
| Week 4 | Long-tail Directories | Smaller directories, aggregators | 2-3 hours |
6.2 Daily Submission Routine
Optimal Daily Schedule
- Morning (30 min): Submit to 3-5 quick directories
- Afternoon (15 min): Check emails, respond to verification requests
- Evening (15 min): Update tracking sheet, plan tomorrow's submissions
Total: 1 hour/day for 2-3 weeks = 50-100 directory submissions
6.3 Prioritization Framework
Not all directories are equal. Prioritize based on these factors:
| Priority | Criteria | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| P1 - Critical | DA 70+, High traffic, Your niche | Product Hunt, G2, Capterra |
| P2 - Important | DA 50-70, Moderate traffic, Dofollow links | BetaList, AlternativeTo, SaaSHub |
| P3 - Nice to Have | DA 30-50, Niche traffic, Easy submission | Smaller niche directories |
| P4 - If Time Allows | DA under 30, Low effort, Free | Aggregators, small directories |
Phase 7: Tracking System Setup
A proper tracking system is essential for managing submissions, following up, and measuring results.
7.1 Spreadsheet Template
Create a tracking spreadsheet with these columns:
Required Columns
- Directory Name: Name of the directory
- URL: Link to your listing (once live)
- Submission Date: When you submitted
- Status: Pending / Approved / Rejected / Live
- Category: Category you submitted under
- Link Type: Dofollow / Nofollow
- DA: Domain Authority
- Cost: Free / Paid amount
- Login Credentials: Username/email used
- Follow-up Date: When to check back
- Notes: Any special requirements or issues
7.2 Status Tracking Workflow
Submitted
Just submitted, awaiting review. Set follow-up reminder for 7-14 days.
Under Review
Confirmation received that submission is being reviewed.
Changes Requested
Directory requested modifications. Address within 48 hours.
Approved/Live
Listing is live! Update your tracking sheet with the live URL.
Rejected
Note the reason. Consider resubmitting after addressing issues.
7.3 Metrics to Track
Monthly Metrics Review
Common Rejection Reasons (And How to Avoid Them)
Understanding why directories reject submissions helps you avoid these pitfalls.
| Rejection Reason | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Incomplete website | Ensure all essential pages exist: Home, About, Pricing, Contact, Privacy Policy |
| Product not ready | Wait until your product is functional before submitting. Beta is fine, but it should work. |
| Poor description quality | Write clear, professional descriptions. No typos. Explain what your product does. |
| Wrong category | Choose the most accurate category. When in doubt, look at similar products. |
| Low-quality images | Use high-resolution screenshots and logos. No blurry or stretched images. |
| Duplicate submission | Check if you've already submitted. Search for your product on the directory first. |
| Doesn't fit directory focus | Only submit to directories that accept your type of product. |
| Suspicious or spammy | Use professional email, complete your founder profile, have a real website. |
| No clear value proposition | Make it immediately clear what your product does and who it's for. |
| Broken links | Test all links before submitting. Ensure your site is up and accessible. |
If rejected, don't give up. Wait 2-4 weeks, address the likely issues, and resubmit. Many successful products were rejected on their first attempt.
Maintenance Schedule
Directory listings require ongoing maintenance to remain effective.
Weekly Tasks (15-30 minutes)
Monthly Tasks (1-2 hours)
Quarterly Tasks (2-4 hours)
Master Submission Checklist
Use this master checklist for every new directory submission.
Pre-Submission
Account Setup
Submission
Post-Submission
Ready to Start Submitting?
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