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A directory is a vague term based on how they’re used. However, all online directories typically have the same functionality, where it delivers business or personal information based on a location or category. Yelp, one of the more popular directories online, delivers local business information based on the user’s location. Angie’s List is also considered a directory, yet it connects people with contractors and professionals for tasks like plumbing and roofing. To make your own directory like one of these, it requires a WordPress directory plugin. We put together a detailed guide on how to create your own directory website:

The Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Directory Website with WordPress

You don’t need a plan to overtake Yelp or create an enterprise of your business directory. Many companies use online directories for internal or external purposes. A real estate firm might share a directory on its website with a list of all the agents and which areas they cover. A law firm may have a directory of its employees, or maybe a list of key business partners.

Directories serve as user-friendly databases, where they provide search bars, pictures, location information, and contact details. More often than not you see a map, like how Best Buy or Target have public directories for customers to find all store locations. Even Google and Facebook provide business directory tools for those seeking out quality products and services.

What to Look for in a Great WordPress Directory Plugin

Much of the decision depends on the type of directory you want to launch. Is it to make money by charging local businesses to pay for ads? Then you’ll want some features for collecting those payments. Is the directory being used to reveal information about people and not businesses? You’ll want to find one that has fields for personal and contact information.

However, all of the best WordPress directory plugins have several things in common. Here’s what you should look for during your search:

• Options for adding new listings and adjusting old ones.
• Backend tools for merchants that want to share information about their businesses.
• Payment collection features for if you charge for listings.
• Rating and review systems.
• Media support.
• Bookmarking tools.
• A location-based search module with maps.
• Frontend submission options.
• Shortcodes and widgets for adding listings anywhere on your website.
• Highly customizable form fields for adjusting submissions.

The Best WordPress Directory Plugins to Choose From in 2019

1. Business Directory Plugin
2. GeoDirectory
3. Advanced Classifieds & Directory Pro
4. Connections Business Directory
5. Sabai Directory
6. Web 2.0 Directory plugin
7. Name Directory
8. LDD Directory Lite
9. Directory Pro
10. BePro Listings

Feel free to use this shortlist to test the waters and play around with each plugin yourself. We also recommend reading further, since we break down each of the WordPress directory plugins to find the best features and reasons for going with each.

1. Business Directory Plugin

The Business Directory Plugin includes all core directory features such as fully customizable form fields, image support, and payment acceptance. These core features are all free when you download the main plugin, but you also have the option to download some add-ons for a premium price. A package with all of the add-ons goes for $199.99 (onetime fee) while the individual modules start at $69.99.

Some of the extra modules include:

• Discount codes.
• Featured levels.
• File attachments.
• Google Maps.
• 2Checkout gateway module.
• A claim listing button.
• Rating feature.
• Many more.

As you can see, to turn your directory into something as powerful as Yelp, you’ll have to pay for some of the add-ons. For instance, the rating module is going to cost you that extra $69.99, or the zip search tool is going to cost you as well.

Without any of the add-ons, you still have a solid directory. It even provides support for Authorize.net if you’d like to accept payments for business listings. We like the Business Directory Plugin for those who want a fully functional directory without having to pay anything. The reviews and ratings are quite impressive, and the plugin is lightweight and ready to go on your website. It’s also nice because you can buy some additions for only the features you need.

Main Reasons We Like This WordPress Directory Plugin:

• The core plugin is free and most of the features in there should give companies what they need. If not, there’s a large add-on directory for upgrading your feature set.
• Payment support is included with the core plugin. So, if you’d like to create multiple plans or simply charge for listings one by one, that’s available.
• The form fields are as customizable as they come, allowing you to make your directory submission forms as unique as possible.
• You can upload a CSV if you already have a large list of businesses for your directory.
• This plugin has above-average image options, with tools for changing your thumbnail sizes, adjusting the image orders, and an area to drag and drop images into the pages.
• A reCAPTCHA tool is built-in, preventing all of the spam you often see on directories.
• Frontend submissions are available, and those people who submit the listings can modify content without logging into the backend of WordPress.

2. GeoDirectory

GeoDirectory allows you to turn any WordPress theme into a powerful, fast directory. The plugin is more focused on generating a global business directory, but you can cut that down into certain sections of the world or only cater to your neighborhood. It’s a multisite compatible plugin, which makes it excellent for building a network of directories or installing it on multiple client sites. The majority of the plugin is given to you for free, but several add-ons are sold for adding events, multilocation, pricing, reviews, and BuddyPress integrations. These add-ons typically start at $19.

One of the main reasons I enjoy GeoDirectory is because of the beautiful search interface. The plugin has a frontend form for both regular users and merchants who want to add listings. The business pages are brought up in order of the proximity to the user, with large, clickable thumbnails to the left and a beautiful Google Map next to it. When someone clicks on a business they can search for directions right from your website. There’s even a CSV import and export tool for filling multiple listings at one time or moving them to another site.

With GeoDirectory’s lightweight, scalable interface, it’s one of the few free directory plugins useful for massive growth and lots of traffic. The developer also sells directory themes if you’re starting a site from scratch.

Main Reasons We Like This WordPress Directory Plugin:

• GeoDirectory has a frontend form for people to submit listings and edit those listings with a drag and drop editor.
• There are 13 field types for constructing your custom forms and making them fit your website.
• Over 15 widgets and 12 widget areas are provided with