Other than a couple of glitches we have been very pleased with the progress of our submission process, particularly as it relates to declined sites. It seems to be making the entire process more efficient and eliminates many of the questions associated with our old format. We simply look at the record in the database and if there is no corresponding review fee the record is immediately deleted. No more leaving the record around, updating it's status, checking pages or making contacts regarding reciprocal links and their location.
If a review fee can be confirmed, we set about that process and an email is generated when a site is approved or declined. There are still a couple of features to be added to the back end but the initial reviews have been very good.
Another very positive side effect has been the response of webmasters whose sites have been declined. Of seven recent submissions, three were declined for various reasons. Of these three, two of the site owners/webmasters made the changes necessary to bring their site into compliance with our site guidelines, replied to our email, were re-reviewed and approved. The third did not reply to the initial email so we have to assume that they felt the changes would be cumbersome or inappropriate.
It just feels right knowing that these sites, and their owners, are better off by requesting that they be considered for our directory. Most, it seems, are very unaware of some of the issues as they relate to search engines terms of service, are happy to comply and genuinely seem to appreciate the feedback.
We are making one change to our terms of service regarding declined sites. With such a positive response we have decided to extend the "re-review period" from three to five days. This increased window of opportunity should benefit those sites with more extensive issues and ones whose owner doesn't serve as it's webmaster.
Now, declined sites will have five business days in which to review their sites, make the appropriate changes and reply to the email generated upon review (not the submission date). The email will contain the initial grounds on which the site was disapproved. It will not be a detailed review and there may be other factors that would preclude a site from being listed as we do stop the review process when a violation of our terms of service or site quality guidelines is found.
We strongly encourage effected site owners to review their site thoroughly with our terms of service and site quality guidelines in mind to assure their site complies before replying to the email.
Most of the issues with declined sites have been pretty obvious and could have been avoided with a reasonable review by the site owner before submission. (excessive and/or open link exchange, excessive unrelated links/ads, etc.) All submissions are required to attest to the fact that they have reviewed their sites and that they comply with our site quality guidelines and terms of service, we just wish all would.
In any event, thanks to all of you who have been so patient for your continued support and feedback. Together we expect to keep improving the best real estate directory on the web... www.OverlyReal.com! |
