The use of article directories are one of the most effective and safest, least expensive ways to market over the Internet and to build up a web presense.

There are two types of article directories. One is a general directory that will accept articles on nearly any subject that you can think of. These are the most common types of article directories. Some of the general article directories have hundreds of thousands of posted articles.

Wth all of the buzz about niche marketing of course there are niche market article directories too. In a niche directory articles must relate to the niche that the directory serves or they will be rejected by the editor. For example, a niche article directory that focuses on articles about stock and forex trading would reject an article about gardening.

There are many benefits to posting and to visiting article directories.

WRITERS - As a writer you will gain a worldwide audience for your articles by posting them to article directories. You can to carve out a niche on popular websites and become known as an authority on your subjects. As you post more articles you will benefit from valuable backlinks to your websites as in the authors bio box you are allowed a link back to your website.

PUBLISHERS - Can add keyword rich content to their ezines, newsletters, and websites. On better article directory sites this can be accomplished with a simple copy and paste operation. All articles are formatted in HTML to make it easy to copy content. The service is free. All publishers have to comply with is to insure that the authors resource box remains intact.

WEBMASTERS - Can build out or add to websites with keyword rich interesting content that will give their website a boost in Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask, and other search engines. Visitors will return again and again to view fresh well written content.

Over time authors can drive considerable amounts of free traffic to their sites by posting frequently to article directories. The services are free and safe as there are no spam issues to deal with as is often the case with email marketing campaigns.