Interview with Syed Balkhi owner of idk Web Directory
Greetings, my name is Syed Balkhi, I am the owner of Genuine Paid Directory and a custom freelance designer.
Q1) Your primary website:
Ans: My primary and only website is Genuine Paid Directory. Basically it is not a directory, it is a whole network in itself. Containing an arcade, freebies, free phpLD templates and other scripts as well, a webmaster blog, phpLD mods, phpLD tutorials, and lastly a web directory with tons of resources in itself.
Q2) How did you started off:
Ans: Well, I started off with a forum called name pros where I used to earn their forum currency by posting and doing various tasks such as posting, submitting sites, to earn np$ (their currency) and than selling those points for some cash. Than I moved onto the industry of proxies, and owned a proxy network. After, I was tired and bored with the following, I got into the Web Directory Business and still in here and enjoying the company.
Q3) How many sites you own:
Ans: At this moment, I, myself own one site as I focus more on quality than quantity. Though I have different sites on different domains, I tend to say that I have one site because I don’t pay attention to the other ones as much as I do to IDK
Q4) How much money you make online from different sites of yours:
Ans: Well this is a very private question. I believe I make enough revenue to keep idk.in up and running and promoting at the same time. My two major sources of money at this time are my directory and my designs.
Q5) What are your primary methods, you use for your site’s promotion:
Ans: Basically, I am not one of those who believe in buying links. I believe in natural links. My primary promotion method is designing free templates and putting a designer link. That is the best one. After that, I try to get listed in all major high PR sites and than lastly I buy links on pr 7+ sites.
Q6) Any message/tips for starter webmasters:
Ans: New comers, I will advice you before you get into any type of business make sure you do a little research about that particular field. Make up your mind and be completely devoted to the field you started your website in.
Q7) What is your favorite niche. Which category you think is more profitable?
Ans: I will say a general directory is the best, but if I would have to go to niche site, than I will be going to Webmaster Niche Sites.
Q8) What should you choose if you have to make a choice between a directory, a blog and a forum.
Ans: I can eliminate forums in a blink because that will never be my choice because it is very hard to get a forum started and requires tons of cash for promotion in the beginning because there are already some big ones out here. It is a very tough choice between the blogs and directory, but directories have an edge I believe. Directories are the best way to run a quality site, and I think you can combine the two (blog and directory) to make a stronger site.
Q9) Your favorite web host, hosting company.
Ans: Well I am with one host for over a year now, and they are Qoozz with a 99.9% uptime, I am highly satisfied with this company, so this have to be my favorite hosting company.
10) Favorite search engine:
Ans: The whole world loves google, how can I be different. I focus more on google SERPs than any other search engine.
Q11) Favorite website:
Ans: If I really have to pick a site other than my own than that vote would go to Aviva Web Directory of Jeff. This website is the best containing some valuable resources and tricks which can help webmasters in a long run. I read their blog regularly as it is always helpful.
Q12) any thing else you want to say!:
Ans: I would like to thank you first of all for doing this interview. I had a pleasant time answering the questions. I wish you best of luck. Keep me in your well wishes.
-Syed
