5 Directory Founders Share Their Biggest Mistakes

Learning from Failure

Success leaves clues, but so does failure. We talked to five directory founders about the mistakes that cost them time, money, and momentum. Here's what they wish they'd known from the start.

Mistake 1: Building Too Much Before Launching

"I spent 6 months building features no one asked for. By the time I launched, a competitor had already captured the market." - Founder of a defunct legal directory. Launch early, iterate based on feedback.

Mistake 2: Ignoring SEO Until Too Late

"I thought paid advertising would be enough. When I finally focused on SEO, I was 18 months behind competitors." - Founder of a home services directory. SEO is a long game; start day one.

Mistake 3: Pricing Too Low

"I was afraid to charge what the listings were worth. It took two years to raise prices, and I left hundreds of thousands on the table." - Founder of a B2B directory. Know your value and charge accordingly.

Mistake 4: Trying to Serve Everyone

"My directory covered too many industries. I couldn't go deep on any of them and couldn't compete with specialists." - Founder of a general business directory. Niche down ruthlessly.