Maybe how many years experience, and a listing of experience with various web technologies / design tools. The two of these could also be combined (i.e. how much experience with different technologies).

On the design, I'd have to agree with Forbairt's comments through the thread, as a showcase for web designers, I don't think the site design works. I don't think it looks professional enough for me to hand over money for a listing.

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I think being a showcase is not what I intended the site to do. I would never think that a listing of web designers in Ireland would in itself be a reflection of the designers it contains. I don't think of the site as a showcase but as a place where people looking for web designers can search for them.
Having said that, I do take on board your comments about the design and will have a look at some better design options in the coming month.
Thanks,
John

So why the charge for premium listings ?

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Forbairt Media | Web Design & Development Galway / Dublin, Ireland - coming soon ... ( vague but descriptive isn't it )
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Apologies, poor choice of words perhaps. The point I was making is that as it's something that's related to web designers, having a site that's well designed is an important part of it. I think it's important both for designers using the site to enter a listing, and for people visiting the site to look for designers. I would think that a strong design will inspire more confidence from both groups.

pretty good point which I hadn't mentioned .. guess I just assume a professional looking site will inspire more confidence (must remember this when talking to clients)

I don't know how obvious it is sometimes after a read of the Worst Site of the Week thread recently

I totally agree that a well designed site does inspire confidence. Even though I felt the design was OK, I didn't feel it was that poor.
The reason I charge for premium listings is that a premium listing gets more exposure on the site that a basic listing does.
Even though the comments are tough to hear, it's important that I get the views of the web professionals on this forum and for that, I'm grateful.
John

Your site is a great idea but in these economic times I dont think you will get many premium listings, unless the site is ranking high in the major search engines. To me the design concept is OK but it does not jump out and grab me. My first though as soon as I seen it was. "oh no another php link directory". As I think Forbairt said think shiney, it is hard to beat white background, to get the theme of ireland accross get a nice logo of ireland in the header and incorporate a web design theme into the logo. As for would I list in it. Yes I would at the end of the day an inbound link is an inbound link with relative content. Just an idea but in the meantime why not ditch the preminum listing for a reciprical link to help build you indounds and get up the rankings. Oh and dont forget 32 counties include Northern Ireland.
Good luck with your directory.

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