Regional Web Directory

Best of the Web Directory is a commercial web directory providing websites categorized topically and regionally. Headquartered in Uniondale, New York, BOTW also maintains offices in Orange, Texas, Rocklin, California, Studio City, California and Highland Beach, Florida.

Founded in 1994 at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, BOTW pioneered the web awards concept, recognizing the best sites online via an annual vote and presentation, highlighted by the announcements at the International W3C Conference in Geneva. The last awards were given in 1998, after which the site lay dormant until being sold. The award winners from 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998 remain listed on the botw.org website.Best of the Web Awards at BOTW.org

In 2002 BOTW transformed into a general web directory, aiming to provide users with a spam-free categorization of websites. The company employs a team of paid editors that search the web for sites with original content, whilst considering user-friendliness and web standards. BOTW offers listings for both commercial and non-commercial sites, and places each site that meet their editorial guidelines in its most relevant topical and/or regional category.

Due to the manual editorial involved in the listing process, many search engines view listings in "quality directories" as a valued citation. Cutts, Matt (2007). How to Report Paid Links As an update to the post, Cutts addresses directories in the Q&A Website owners report of submitting their sites to directories can increase their search engine listings.Sloan, Paul (May 2007) How to scale Mt. Google. Business 2.0: 54-55

In 2005 BOTW was the first to introduce a hand-edited blog directory. Maintaining high standards for inclusion, the BOTW Blog Directory focuses on categorizing the best blogs online.Hartzer, Bill (Dec 2005). Best of the Web Launches Blog Directory

Best of the Web also maintains the BOTW Media network, a network of dozens of blogs authored by subject experts.

In 2006, Best of the Web introduced its first lead generation platform, focused on the enterprise software industry. The BOTW Enterprise Software directory serves as a marketplace where uses can search for software solutions and request additional information form a host of vendors.

In 2007, BOTW expanded their lead generation offerings with the Senior Housing Directory. Users are able to collect information on housing options for seniors throughout the United States and receive further information from selected vendors.

In 2008, Best of the Web launched their local search offering, BOTW Local. BOTW Local provides users with detailed business information for over 16 million businesses in the US. In addition to searching for local businesses, users can leave reviews and vote for their favorite businesses. While completely free to users, businesses have an option of a free version or an enhanced listing for a fee.