Looking for an easy way to create brilliant directories? We’ll show you how with our Business Directory Plugin!
Communication is key for virtually every business. However, knowing the right people to contact can be tricky. Creating a brilliant directory can be a solution, but it can also be intimidating if you’re not sure how to start.
Fortunately, the process doesn’t need to be complicated. By using our Business Directory Plugin, you can provide a valuable professional resource to connect your users.
In this article, we’ll discuss a few reasons why brilliant directories can benefit your site. Then we’ll take you through three easy steps to set up your own collection of listings. Let’s dive right in!
Why you might want to build brilliant directories
A directory is a collection of personal information. It can either be for businesses or individuals. Additionally, it may include details such as contact information, typical pricing for services, and relevant links.
Directories are often valuable because they connect people. Many professionals are willing to pay for access to high-quality listings. Furthermore, setting up a site like this can be simple. We’ve developed the Business Directory Plugin for this exact purpose:
We’re proud to offer one of the most popular tools on the market. Additionally, we also sell an advanced premium version with more complex features. Nevertheless, our lite version is also powerful enough to get you started without paying a single penny.
How to create a brilliant directory in WordPress
All you'll need is the free version of our Business Directory Plugin. Make sure that you have it installed and activated before you begin.
Step 1: Name your directory
You’ll first want to create a special page that includes the following shortcode:
[businessdirectory]
Alternatively, you can let our plugin do that for you. Click on Create Required Pages to get started automatically:
Afterward, you should see a success message with another link. Click on it to navigate to your new business directory page. By default, it will be named “Business Directory”. However, you may want to change it to be more descriptive or search engine friendly.
Select Edit Page and click on the title to change the name. You’ll likely want to change the permalink as well:
Changing this information later can hurt your search engine rankings. So choose something you're happy with, and try to do so before you add any content.
Step 2: Add categories and edit fields
A category can help organize your directory. This makes it easier for search engines and users to navigate your site.
You may want to consider naming your categories after often-searched keywords. In addition to attracting more organic searches, this can be an easy way to make your site more Google-friendly.
To get started, navigate to Directory → Add New Category. You should see the following menu:
Simply fill in each field as necessary. The Name will be the title of the category. The Slug is how it will appear in the URL. You can also add an optional Parent Category to organize your site with nested sections.
Finally, the Description will not display by default. However, it may be visible depending on your theme, so you might want to fill it in. Click on Add New Category and repeat as many times as you need.
Next, we'll edit the fields that your users will fill in. There are some defaults already, but you may want to add your own. Go to Directory → Form Fields → Add New Form Field:
There are a lot of options on this page. We'll stick to the basics, but you can check out our knowledge base article on editing fields for more help.
First, choose a Field Association. This is mostly for WordPress itself to use. For most posts, this will be Post Metadata.
You'll also want to choose a Field Type. This determines the format of the field, such as a text field or a drop-down menu. You'll also need to enter a Field Label. This displays above the entry, but you can also hide it.
Make sure to save your work and move on to the final step.
Step 3: Add payment methods and plans
Finally, effective listings often have a lot of value. If you want to collect payment from your brilliant directory, you can do so easily.
First, go to Directory → Settings → Payment. You can turn on test mode if you want to try out payments first:
Checking the HTTPS option is an easy way to protect your customers' sensitive information. As such, we recommend that you use it.
Then choose your currency code, symbol, and format. You might also decide to add a plan description or custom thank-you message. Click on Save Changes when you're done.
Next, go to Directory → Plans:
The Authorize.net gateway comes pre-integrated. All you need to do is hit Set Up. If you're using the premium version, you can also use any of the other gateways pictured.
Click on Add New Plan:
You can then add a plan label and description. Try to make these easy to understand for your users. Additionally, you can also put a timer on the posting, add an image limit, make it private, or make it auto-renewable.
Furthermore, you can make a listing stick to the top of your page. This can be a powerful way to promote premium options in a brilliant directory. A different background color or category can also help it stand out.
Finally, you can decide the actual pricing:
Choose your pricing model and pick a price. Remember to click on Add Plan to save your work!
Conclusion
With the help of our Business Directory Plugin, you can craft a beautiful and customized listing collection. In this article, we covered three easy steps to create brilliant directories:
- Change your directory name to something relevant.
- Add categories and edit fields for a more customized experience.
- Include optional payment methods and plans.
Our Business Directory Plugin can help your site connect more people. Consider checking out a few of the other amazing things that our tool can help you do!
How to Create a WordPress User Directory [An Easy Guide]
11 Best WordPress Staff Directory Plugins
Finding the Perfect Niche for Your Directory [7 Easy Steps]
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