Best way to set up a directory / list site?

[NoahsDad]

I have a domain called DownSyndromeBlogs.com

There is nothing there now, but what I want to do is create a directory type site where I list lots of different blogs about Down syndrome (my son was born with Down syndrome, so it's a passion of mine.)

Is there a good way to use that domain other than just a simple directory? Is it worth it to do some sort of "all top" like site? Maybe listing the RSS of each blog and pulling in a spinet of info? Or have people rank and view them?

My purpose for buying the domain was two fold: 1. To give people searching for blogs about Down syndrome a good list of where to find them, and 2. To help direct people back to our site about Down syndrome, NoahsDad.com

Another thing I was thinking about was somehow asking people to submit their site to DownsyndromeBlogs.com and perhaps ask for their email address or other contact info (since the people wanting to put their blog on the list would be the same people I would want to know about my main blog - NoahsDad.com)

Or maybe there is another thing I'm missing all together..like making that some sort of 'social network' or buddy press for people wanting to blog about Down syndrome..but there are already many other sties out there like that.

One thing I was curious about is SEO...if it's not a blog, and i"m not constantly putting up new and fresh content, will anyone ever be able to find the site via google search? (If that makes sense.) If I just do a directory page the page will be some what static and only updated when I add a new url.

I'm open to any feedback / suggestions/ advice.

Thanks.

[mjtaylor]

First of all, the position of a website is not dependent upon adding content. If the site has relevant, original content and quality incoming links, the site's position will not slip if there is no new content. Promise.

Your idea sounds great! By all means, you can ask for an email if you like ... but why not put a "top ten site" list on the home page, with your site at the top to make sure everyone is likely to see that? You can also feature NoahsDad.com on every page in some way ... in the sidebar or at the bottom. It might say: this directory sponsored by NoahsDdad.com. Something like that.

Hope that helps.

[mjtaylor]

You could do it as a blog; I am guessing there is a wordpress plugin or theme to create a directory. But I would be more inclined to use something like PHP Link Directory. It is easy to install and they have a great support  forums.

You can also have articles on the site, which can add to content. I have a general, paid directory here made with PHPLD: Arabule.  Note the articles at the right, but you will find lots of better examples of directories.