We are currently working on a project that requires us to build a business directory in WordPress. There are many ways to build a directory in WordPress including custom development, existing free or paid plugins, and a ready-made directory theme.
We explored several options before finally deciding which one fit our project needs best. In this article you will learn what WordPress directory methods we looked at, and what we ultimately chose to be the solution.
A WordPress Directory Solution Comparison
WordPress Directory Plugin
The first plugin we tried was the WordPress Directory Plugin. This is a free plugin, which comes with access to support, but you must create a free account on WPMUDEV in order to download.
This directory plugin comes with its own template, and also allows for lots of customization.
What we liked about the WordPress Directory Plugin:
- You can create custom categories, fields, and layouts, which make for a very attractive directory
- You can advertise within the directory
- You can place the auto generated taxonomy and custom field embed code in your WordPress loop to display in your theme
- Users can submit reviews and ratings for each listing
Some things we didn’t like about the WordPress directory plugin:
- Although this plugin allows the creation of custom fields, there is no way to display these newly created custom fields on a listings page automatically. You must edit the single.php template file located in the plugin directory.
Note: To avoid this, you could utilize the Views plugin for the WordPress Directory custom post types. This plugin allows you to create fully customized layouts based on custom post types and custom fields and taxonomies.
This is not for the faint of heart, and you would duplicate a lot of the work that the Directory plugin already does, but the sky is the limit in terms of custom layouts.
Business Directory Plugin
Next was the Business Directory Plugin. This WordPress directory plugin is free, although there are some paid modules available if you wish to upgrade.
What we liked about the Business Directory Plugin:
- Offers a variety of fee structures based on how many pictures one wants to include in their listing
- Listings can be edited like any normal blog post, and without having to go to the WordPress dashboard
Some things that made us pass:
- Reviews for this directory were mixed
- High number of support requests from users
- The styling was the least attractive of all the WordPress directory plugins we explored
- Google checkout is the only payment option included in the free version
Link Directory Plugin
The Link Directory Plugin is a fairly new free plugin. While it currently lacks some of the pizzazz that our winning directory method found below has, we think this one could have some potential.
What we liked about the Links Directory plugin:
- Author is very responsive to user feedback, and so this directory plugin could incorporate some user suggestions in future releases
- Author continues to add new features
While we like this one, its newness leaves it lacking in a few key areas:
- Only one default design is currently available
- More bugs reported than most of the other directory plugins
- Not enough customization options available
- No payment methods included
Open Links Directory
The Open Links Directory is another free plugin. This plugin’s description claims it will help you to start a profitable link directory similar to the DMOZ.org directory.
What we liked about the Open Links Directory plugin:
- Great for backlinking
- Decent styling customization options
- Pulls thumbnails of submitted sites
Why we passed:
- Support seems to have become intermittent for the last few months
- Requires a website link, some directory submissions don’t have sites
- Not a robust system for creating and editing additional directory categories and other details
DirectoryPress
For us, DirectoryPress was the winner by a longshot. It’s a Premium WordPress Theme that literally transforms your WordPress powered website into an eye-catching, user-friendly directory website.
It offers the most attractive templates of all the directory plugins and themes that we researched, and there are TONS of theme styles to choose from. Additionally, all of the added features that are included in the package make it well worth the price.
DirectoryPress Is Favorite WordPress Directory Solution
Some reasons we chose DirectoryPress over all the other available directory plugins and themes:
- Endless customization options to personalize your WordPress directory
- Built in tracking tools so you know who’s visiting your sites and how often
- Option to display your own images, or generate new website preview images using the DirectoryPress thumbnail API for FREE
- Very easy to use and manage through WordPress
To try out the free online demo, or to purchase it now for $79, click here.
Note: If you’re concerned with preserving your existing site, but still building a directory with a theme-based solution like DirectoryPress, you have two options.
- Create a subdomain on your site named “directory.mysite.com” and simply install WordPress there with the PremiumPress directory theme applied
- Utilize the Multisite features of WordPress to create a network of sites and then apply this theme to one of the sites on your network
If you want to learn more about activating Multisite and running a network of sites all from one WordPress installation, you may be interested in our WP Website Network Manual found here.
DirectoryPress - Online Directories Powered by WordPress
DirectoryPress turns a WordPress site into a powerful online directory website with lots of features, import tools and built in payment gateways.
Includes 20+ directory themes, unlimited installations, lifetime free support and upgrades! Featured Plugin - Coupon Generation Made Simple
Just look at some of the included features: mobile optimized, create unlimited coupons, coupons widget, coupon shortcode, 8 color schemes, custom logo, QR code, printable, Groupon-style counter, expiration dates and more! 
About Adam W. Warner
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Thanks for doing the hardwork for me! I created Skeptics On The .Net as a directory site just using Categories as the organizational method. As the site got attention in the scientific and freethinking community this strategy became a nightmare. We had tons of categories that a writer had to scroll through and debates came up about what should go in Category A vs. Category B. It wasn’t until a redesign that things got a little more controlled but it’s still a mess (as you can see by the Categories sidebar widgets). We will definitely consider DirectoryPress for the next redesign. It offers a lot of organizational design ideas I wish I could use now.
Hi Eric, thanks for the comment and we’re glad we could do the legwork for you:) Your site has some very interesting subjects…very cool!
What isn’t apparent when you go to the site and view their themes is that, with the exception of being compelled to update the theme for WP3.0, they have done almost nothing in a year. They show several new themes that are “coming soon”, and they have been at 87% of productions for nearly a year. I own it, and I use it, and indeed it is the best of the batch right now, but it doesn’t bode well for an application when there is no progress being made.
That’s good food for thought Bob, definitely something to be aware of and pay attention to. It could be the fact that it does the job so well now that it doesn’t need feature updates (other than to keep up with WP versions).
Perhaps we can get someone from the PremiumPress team to comment here and offer a constructive reply to your comments as well as an update on the future options for PremiumPress. I’ll reach out…
Sure thing. Mark and his team are extremely responsive, and yes, to a great degree the themes just “work”. Perhaps I’m just one of those underpromise-overdeliver kinda guys and thus far they’ve overpromised-underdelivered, and as you’ve been around, you’ve no doubt seen that this usually a foreshadowing of a downhill spiral. Hopefully that won’t be the case – they really do have a terrific product.
hi bobschecter
PremiumPress are a customer related company, rather than spitting out lots and lots of themes we like to work with our customers to improve the core features and functioanlity so they benefit from the latest technologies and get the best possible tools and features to run their businsses.
If you’re looking for a basic website design, the internet as many to choose from, but if your looking for a company that cares about its customers and keeps its products and services update so your business can grow online then PremiumPress is a great choice.
bobschecter, which theme are you currently using with us?
Mark,
I’m currently using the Directory, the Real Estate, the Coupons, the ShopperPress, the Classifieds, and each on more than one site, and some in multi-site environments, and I’m now dabbling with the Auctions. In fact, the only one I haven’t touched yet is the Movies, but I will. As I noted, they all work well, and I’m happy with them. But I’ve also been enamored with other equally fantastic applications, only to see eventual stagnation and their demise. And they too were the epitome of customer service ambassadors, right to the last day. So when I see “coming-soon”, there for a year, but nothing seems to come, it raises an eyebrow, and I feel compelled to raise that red flag …. on occasion.
Very glad to see you actively defending your themes, and I hope I’m totally wrong. If so, I apologize and will be sure to get my affiliate butt in gear.
I cannot understand why you’d say “they have done almost nothing in a year” when this isnt true at all, infact we’ve made many many updates (including new child themes) which can be seen in the file changelogs;
http://www.premiumpress.com/updates/
version 6.6 was released in Dec and we’ve just realeased version 7 (not offically until next month) which was a major redeveloped and has included lots and lots of great new features.
ComparisonPress has already been finished and is being beta tested by our VIP customers and employeepress was released last year under beta version and being updated to v7 along with membershippress.
Again, we our company isnt about making website designs as such, were here to build platforms for business owners to create profitable businesses rather than just saying “heres a template..get on with it..”.
bobschecter, i think you should login to the members area and try version 7, thenc ompare it to version 6 which was releases last year, then come back and say “they have done almost nothing in a year”.
Mark,
I’m a user, and as such a proponent. As soon as v7 is released, I will eagerly grab and use it, thanks.
That said, you show 3 new themes coming on your site and they have been in production for a year, so by extension, it seemed that nothing was being accomplished.
As I said, if I’m wrong, then then this thread will stand not as a warning about, but a reinforcement of the value of your product.
bobschecter, i understand you’ve been let down by other companies but please dont ‘ tar us with the same brush’.
I work very hard to ensure my customers get the most out of the products i develop and comments like yours really dont help, if you have questions about theme release dates or want to join in on beta testing new versions just email me and ill add to to the list.
email: mark[AT]markfail.com
No tarring intended Mark. I didn’t bash your product. In fact I was quite clear in stating how good the products are. I was simply doing what I would hope others might do – raise the level of awareness on the net.
As to asking – I’ve done that, at lease every other month, and the response I’ve gotten is “we haven’t a clue” or “these things take time”. Both responses were in fact sufficient, on the first few occasions. However, after a while, it started to sound suspect – hence, my post.
Again, love the product. Love the service. Was just concerned that it wasn’t going to be around for long. Hopefully I stand very much corrected.
bobschecter
v7 is already available in the members area, i tend to spend more time working with clients and themes than updating our website which is possible why the confusion, ill update it this weekend.
Did you try Geotheme?
We did not try GeoTheme, but I just had a look and spent some time reading through the pre-sales support comment thread and looking at the theme demo and I see good things there:)
If your looking for a nice option for creating Advanced City Search or other Geographic Directory sites in WordPress, GeoThemes is worth a long look right here.
Interestingly enough, while they call it GeoThemes because of the connection to the maps, the maps can be eliminated/hidden and you end up with a pretty nice directory theme. Still looks like DirectoryPress gives you more bang for your buck, but it’s always nice to see some good competition in the marketplace.