Do you want to know how to create a database of contact info for your school directory? We'll show you how to create an online directory of your school staff and students in WordPress.
Community is an important part of any educational institution. Teachers, students, and parents can connect better when they have accessible contact information. However, you may not know exactly how to create an online school directory website.
Fortunately, our tool can help you set one up. By using our Business Directory Plugin, you can easily create a beautiful directory for your school.
In this article, we'll explore why our online school directory software is a powerful option. Then we'll show you how to use it to create a contact database in just three easy steps. Let's get started!
Why you should consider using Business Directory Plugin
Let's start by introducing our tool. Business Directory Plugin is a top-tier way to create a directory of any kind:
The name may say ‘business', but the tool can be used in a variety of settings. Here are just a few of the powerful features that make our plugin the ideal online school directory software:
- Easy translation options to cater to any language your students are speaking
- Scalable listings to suit schools of any size
- Full control over custom fields to tailor your directory to your exact needs
Furthermore, it's super easy to use. Whether you're new to site-building or a pro, our interface is a breeze. However, you can always access our support if you need it.
If you want to give our tool a spin, consider trying our free WordPress directory plugin. We also offer a 14-day money-back guarantee to help you feel confident in your decision.
How to create an online school directory in WordPress
Before you get started, make sure you have the plugin all setup. This includes having a directory page established.
Step 1: Set up your online school directory’s name and categories
First, go to your directory page. If you haven't changed the name yet, now may be a good time. Remember to change the permalink too:
Next, we'll add categories to your directory. You can use these to easily organize your work. For example, you might want a separate category for each grade level. We're using a middle school for our example, so we'll make three categories: sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. This same process will work for an elementary school, high school, and even a preschool too.
To do this, head to Directory → Directory Categories:
Go down the list on the left-hand side. Fill in the name, slug, and parent category (if you want one).
The text under Description may appear on your site depending on your theme. You might want to consider leaving it blank, since it shouldn't be visible in most cases. When you're done, click on Add New Category.
Repeat this process for as many categories as you'd like. For example, if you'd rather create a campus directory of physical locations, consider separating contact information by building. These steps should set up the scaffolding for you to build the actual listings.
Step 2: Add your listings to the school directory
Now it's time to populate the structure with actual information. As such, we'll add the listings next. Go over to Directory → Add New Listing. You should see a page that looks like this:
Make sure you have all the necessary information on hand before you begin. First, fill in the description box. This might include the after-school activities a certain student takes part in. You might also want the families to write their own descriptions.
Additionally, we recommend adding images. This is a simple step that can make your directory easier to navigate and more user-friendly. Furthermore, it can also help you build a community if students can identify other families by sight.
You'll also want to make a selection under Plan on the right-hand side. For an online school directory, you probably won't be charging members to let them post. However, it would help if you still marked it as a free option. This is because not having a plan attached can limit what features you can use.
Next, scroll down the page. Find the section labeled Directory Listing Fields / Images. Here, you can add the required information that you'd like our plugin to display. Make sure to save your work before you move on.
You can repeat this step manually as many times as necessary. However, this task can get tedious. Therefore, you might want to import data instead. To do this, navigate to Directory → Import & Export:
From here, simply upload your CSV file to automatically transfer your directory data. This approach can also be helpful for creating an alumni directory that is constantly growing.
Step 3: Customize the appearance of your directory
Now that you've added all the data and structure, you can start styling the directory. This can help it look more branded to your school system. We'll start with basic settings.
To do this, go over to Directory → Settings → Appearance:
You can make universal changes here. For example, you may want to override the default WordPress button styling of your theme.
You might also want to change the default color. If you change it to a school color, for example, it can be an easy way to add a bit of school pride to your directory.
If you're using our premium version, you also get two additional options for displaying your contacts. While the default formatting is attractive, a double column or a table layout might fit your needs better, and it's fully responsive. Save your changes before we move on.
Next, we'll look at your theme options. Head over to Directory → Themes:
This is another premium feature. However, this isn't a school directory WordPress theme. Styling choices will only apply to your directory. As such, you can feel free to play around with the design without worrying about the rest of the site.
Still need more features? You can customize the advanced search, add Google maps, allow user registration, and more.
If you're looking for more inspiration on using our Business Directory Plugin, consider creating a link directory. You can link to educational resources or essential school-wide information.
Conclusion
Building a school directory doesn't have to be hard. In fact, it can be a breeze with the help of Business Directory Plugin. You can tailor the format, style, and content to any educational group.
In this article, we covered three easy steps to create an online school directory:
- Name your directory and add helpful categories.
- Add individual listings to the page.
- Customize the appearance with style choices.
Do you want to learn more about how our plugin can be a flexible directory-building tool? Consider checking out some of our other powerful features!
How to Make an Alumni Directory in WordPress
How to Create a Campus Directory Website with WordPress
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