Bid for position web directories, also known as 'bid directories', are a new concept in building text links for your website. These directories allow website owners to bid for their position in the listings. This is new concept in web directories, and is currently causing a storm in the web directory world. Careful use of bid directories can give a massive increase in targeted visitor traffic to your website.

Traditional web directories list links by predetermined criteria, such as alphabetical order, Google PageRank or listing date. Typically new additions to traditional web directories get added at the end of the current category, giving less benefit than those listed at the top of the category. Most paid traditional web directories offer featured listings, which are listed about regular links.

Bid for position web directories allow people to set their listing bid amount. Listings are displayed with the highest bid at the top, and the other listings follow in descending order. Bid for position directories tend to either display listings in categories, such as Shopping, Business, etc, or in alphabetical categories. Most bid for position web directories display the top 10 or 20 highest bids on the homepage of the directory. This is where the maximum benefit is gained. A link from the homepage will typically carry more PageRank, and be seen by more people, than from a page within the directory.

What is the purpose of getting listed in a bid for position web directory? A link from a web directory has two benefits. The first is that the search engines will consider a link from any website to yours as a vote for your website. The higher the PageRank of the site linking to yours, the greater the value of the vote. Websites with greater vote counts and link quality appear higher in search engine results. The second benefit is that the visitors to the web directory may follow the link and land on your website. This second benefit is greater in bid for position web directories than in traditional web directories as the highest paying links are more visible. Either on the homepage, or at the top of the chosen category. In traditional web directories links can often be buried several pages into a category and have poor visibility. Webmasters wishing to pay high bid quantities can easily increase their listings visibility by pushing their listing to the top of the list.

There are a few guidelines you should follow before buying text links in bid for position web directories.
1. Buy text links that simulate natural linking. Buy links from a range of different web directories, with a range of different PageRank values. Resist the urge to only buy from high PageRank directories. Directories with lower PageRank can be a good future investment.
2. Use a selection of link title and descriptions. Links to your website will carry more value if you use a range of titles and descriptions. Although some web directories only allow you to use the official site title as the link title.
3. Use bid for position web directories with a category structure, rather than A-Z listing types.
4. Select the most appropriate category for your listing. The keyword text of the listings around yours will help increase the value of your link. So choosing the correct category will increase the value of your link.

Most bid for position web directories are made from commercially available scripts. The better web directories will be customized to offer unique layouts and features. The web directories with the best levels of customization generally reflect the effort made by the web directory owner, and can be used as a good indication that the web directory will be well promoted and managed in the future. This suggests that a web directory is worth submitting to.

Bid for position web directories are a great way of building links to your website, and for driving targeted traffic. However, when promoting your website you should continue to use a range of techniques. These should include traditional web directories, keyword optimization and article directories.

Darren Lambert is a web directory authority. He runs topwebdirectory.net, a bid for position web directory, and the Web Directory Guide.