Well, well, well... Can you believe it? Yellow pages have come a long way from the old days! These days, you can find businesses, organizations, and all sorts of other entities with just a few clicks thanks to the wonder that is directory sites.
And if you're thinking about jumping on the directory website bandwagon, WordPress is the way to go.
With a plethora of directory plugins at your fingertips, you can easily create and manage your very own directory site. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to figure out which plugin is right for you.
That's where we come in. In this article, we're going to take a look at the 9 best WordPress directory plugins for 2023.
No matter what type of directory you're building - whether it's for businesses, events, classifieds, or anything else under the sun - these plugins will give you the tools you need to create a directory site that's both professional and functional.
But before we get to the good stuff, let's take a quick peek at the features you should keep an eye out for when searching for a WordPress directory plugin. Sounds good to you? Let's do this!
What Features to Look for in a WordPress Directory Plugin?
As the popularity of online directories has grown, so has the number of WordPress directory plugins. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which plugin is right for your website. Here are some features to look for in a WordPress directory plugin:
Ease of Use
Ease of use is another important feature that should be considered when selecting a directory plugin. The plugin you choose for your next project should be user-friendly and doesn’t have any complexity or ambiguity.
Also, it should have an intuitive interface that allows users to customize their directories with minimal effort. Hence, it’s an important feature that shouldn’t be overlooked while choosing a directory plugin.
SEO Friendliness
Another essential feature of a directory plugin is SEO-friendliness. An SEO-optimized directory plugin helps you to optimize your directory website for search engines so that potential customers can easily find it.
Mobile Responsiveness
Almost half of the directory website users access the websites on mobile devices. And the number is increasing day by day. With that, keeping in mind, you, as a directory website owner, choose a directory plugin for your directory website that is mobile-friendly and fits the devices perfectly.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews can provide insight into the quality of the product and its features, as well as any potential problems that may arise from using the plugin.
Taking time to read customer reviews will give you an idea of what people have experienced when using the product and whether it has successfully met their needs. Hence, it’s worth reading customer reviews before buying a directory plugin for your next venture.
9 Best WordPress Directory Plugins to Organize Listing
1. Directorist
Directorist developed by wpWax is a feature-filled directory solution in the WordPress directory niche. Though the plugin is free, it has everything that you can use to design your directory website.
From restaurant directory to real estate directory, everything in between, you can build with the splash of this easy-to-use plugin.
Add to that, Directorist allows its users to create classified ads websites with lots of monetization options. Besides, the plugin comes up with a host of premium extensions that will not only elevate your directory website to an incredible height but also make it lucrative to the audience.
There are also a number of niche-based directory themes that come up with the premium package of the plugin.
Features
- Multi-directory facility
- Advanced Form Builder
- Mobile App (Compatible with both android & iOS)
- Unlimited custom fields
- CSV bulk importer
- Powerful search and advanced filters
- Frontend listing submission and management
- WooCommerce multi vendor compatibility
- Multiple mapping sources
- Modern, customizable, and trending design
- Easy translation, RTL, and built-in SEO solution
- Built-in checkout and popular gateways
- Private messaging system
- And many more
- 28+ premium extensions
- 9+ niche-based themes
Pros:
- Comprehensive solution for business directories
- Solid offerings from the free version alone
- Accommodates multiple payment gateways
- Extensive documentation
Cons:
- Paid extensions are required for advanced features
- Slower site performance after installing ( Someone complained)
Finally, if you want to have a wonderful start with a little amount of investment for your directory website, then Directorist is the go-to-go option for you.
Pricing: The core version is free.
2. Connections Business Directory
Up next is the Connections Business Directory which is a free yet powerful WordPress directory plugin in the WordPress directory niche. This directory WordPress plugin is fully compatible with popular page builders like Elementor. Also, the plugin supports Gutenberg Editor.
With its simplicity in design and function, a hurdle of unique features and ultimate versatility make this directory solution lucrative to create any type of directory website.
Features
- CSV export and import
- Robust template support
- Frontend entry management
- Custom fields
Pros:
- Provides robust template support
- Amazing customer support
- Frequent updates
- An affordable option
Cons:
- Some features require paid add-ons for use
- Some issues reported with the setup/installation
Connections Business Directory Plugin makes your website lucrative to the audience who ultimately wants simplicity in the design and function.
Pricing: Free
3. Business Directory Plugin
Business Directory Plugin is another powerful directory plugin in the Directory niche. With this plugin, you can create any type of directory website using the temperaments like customizable form fields, drag-and-drop image uploads facility, etc.
Also, the plugin comes up with premium extensions which allow you to easily design your directory website with prolific features.
Features
- Drag-and-drop image uploads
- Built-in CSV import function
- Google Maps integration
- Recurring payment options
- Custom fields
Pros:
- Multilingual directories with WPML
- Mobile friendly plugin
- Quick-search and sorting bar
- A budget-friendly option
- Amazing customizability
Cons:
- Requires premium add-ons for some features
- Limited customer support options
If you are looking for something simple but effective, then Business Directory Plugin is the right weapon for your business.
Pricing: Free
4. GeoDirectory
GeoDirectory is a WordPress plugin that allows you to create and manage a directory of businesses, places, or things. You can use it to create a local business directory, a directory of tourist attractions, or a directory of services.
GeoDirectory makes it easy to add and manage your listings, and you can even accept payments for listings if you want to.
Features
- Advanced search filter
- Frontend listing submission and management
- Fully compatible with mighty page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, etc.
- 40+ widgets, shortcodes, and blocks to improve the user experience
Pros:
- WPML compatible
- Offers various features for SEO optimization
Cons:
- Requires add-ons for many features
Get GeoDirectory and design your directory website with modern and powerful features in no time.
Pricing: Free
5. Sabai Directory
Sabai Directory is a great directory plugin for WordPress. It allows you to easily create a directory of anything you want, whether it's restaurants, places, or anything else.
The plugin is extremely easy to use and set up. You can have your directory up and running in no time at all. Additionally, the plugin is very affordable, making it a great option for those on a budget.
Features
- Display listings in list, grid, or map view
- Fully responsive and flat design
- Multi-location support
- Unlimited hierarchical categories
- PayPal and Stripe recurring payment
- RTL language support
- CSV Importer/Exporter
Pros:
- WPML compatible
- Offers various features for SEO optimization
Cons:
- Requires add-ons for many features
Overall, Sabai Directory is an excellent directory plugin that is perfect for anyone looking to create a directory website. If you're looking for an easy-to-use and affordable option, look no further than Sabai Directory.
Pricing: $29
6. Toolset
Toolset is a great solution for creating a directory of anything, whether it's a list of businesses, products, services, or even just a simple list of links.
With this plugin, you can easily add and manage your listings, as well as customize the look and feel of your directory to match your site's theme.
If you're looking for an easy way to create a directory on your WordPress site, then Toolset is definitely worth checking out.
Features
- Responsive layouts
- Ultrafast code,
- A reliable support staff
- It provides a training course
Pros:
- Multilingual
- It offers maps and front-end forms
- A customizable plugin
Cons:
- Not user-friendly
- It requires coding knowledge to set up
For starters, Toolset is an amazing directory solution to create a directory website that makes money.
Pricing: Starts at $69
7. LDD Directory Lite
LDD Directory Lite is another flexible directory solution that is available free of cost. The plugin is one of the simplest ways to add a mighty, functional, and custom directory to your WordPress website with extreme possible ease.
What’s more, this directory solution is tremendously user-friendly and compatible with almost all popular themes out there in the WordPress ecosystem. Plus, the plugin is mobile responsive, which means that it fits any device from a personal computer to a mobile device.
Features
- Fully customizable email notifications
- Strong focus on internationalization
- Clean, fully responsive interface
- Social media integration
- Google Maps integration
- Lightweight but still powerful
- Supported Views: grid, compact
Pros:
- Open source
- Easy to configure
- Modern design
- A great option for people who look for solutions under tight budget
Cons:
- It’s not a perfect solution for building a feature-filled directory solution
- Limited support
Looking for an easy way to add a directory to your WordPress site? Look no further than the LDD Directory Lite.
Pricing: The core version is free.
8. Directory Pro
The Directory Pro is a handy tool that allows you to create any type of directory website that you can access from any computer with an internet connection.
The plugin is very easy to use, and you can add new listings to your directory with just a few clicks. What’s more, Directory Pro provides you with a signup module, a rating system that you can apply to each listing, and a pricing table.
Features
- 7 Pricing Tables
- 2 Signup styles
- User Role creation by Package
- Multiple payment gateways
- Responsive Touch slider
- Category Map Marker image setting
- Customizable search option
- Frontend submission and management
- Popular plugins compatibility
- Export/Import Listings In CSV Files
- Compatible With All Major Browsers
Pros:
- Responsive design
- Easy configuration
- RTL support
- Fast & bulk updates
- Compatible with MailChimp
- Different types of shortcodes available
Cons:
- Limited customer support
- No user-friendly option
In a small amount, Directory Pro is an amazing solution for building a lightweight directory website for your business.
Pricing: $39
9. Directories Pro
Directories Pro is easy to use and lets you create a professional-looking directory in minutes. You can add categories, subcategories, and even set up payment options so people can pay to list their businesses in your directory.
Also, the Plugin is a great way to create a directory that is easy to use. It allows users to submit and manage their content from the frontend without going to the backend dashboard.
Features
- Unlimited number of directories
- Export and import directory settings
- Advanced search form with auto-suggestion
- WooCommerce Subscriptions support
- BuddyPress profile page integration
- Customizable multi-criteria 5-star rating reviews
Pros:
- Compatible with popular plugins like Rank Math, Yoast, WooCommerce breadcrumbs, etc.
- Filter reviews
- Sort by custom fields
- Configure custom query
Cons:
- Expensive option
- Limited customer support
Get the Directories Pro and add the directory functionality to your WordPress-powered website in a flash.
Pricing: $39
Building a Directory Website in Just 6 Simple Steps
Just assuming, you have already created a WordPress website, and now you want to make it an online business directory. If really so, then follow the runways.
Step 1:Install & activate the Plugin; ie Directorist
To install Directorist in your WordPress website, go to the WP Admin Dashboard > Plugins > Add New > Search for the keyword ‘directorist’ > Hit the “Install Now” button (as indicated with arrows).
Then, activate and configure the setup wizard to get a fresh start. For further details, you can head over to the official documentation to get the most out of it.
Step-2. Install a free directory theme
Luckily, Directorist is fully compatible with all the themes out there in the WordPress ecosystem. Hence, you can pick any WordPress theme to design your directory website. But, initially, choosing a free directory theme is worth an investment.
With that keeping in mind, you can choose ‘OneListing’ a free directory WordPress theme. However, you can switch to the premium version in case you really think of upgrading your directory website.
Once you pick the theme, go to the WP Admin Dashboard > Appearance > Themes > Add New.
Then click on Upload Theme > Choose File and select the ‘onelisting.zip’ > Install Now.
Now, activate the theme to take an amazing start.
When you finish installing the theme, you will discover some plugins and other tools suggestions to install. In this ground, make sure you have installed the suggested necessary tools and plugins like Elementor, Contact Form 7, MailChimp, Theme ToolKit, etc. And, these tools allow your directory theme to function perfectly.
And, that’s all.
Step 3: Create categories & tags for your website
Creating categories and tags will make your directory website more filterable and search-friendly to the audience. With a heavy stroke of fortune, Directorist comes with both of these items where (category) you can freely add images, descriptions, and icons & colors.
To get the job done, you simply need to navigate to the Directory Listings > Categories > Fill out the fields > Hit the “Add New Category” button.
Exactly in the same way, you can add tags. To do so, go to the Directory Listings > Tags > Enter Credentials > Add New Tag
Step 4: How to add new locations
Adding locations to your directory website allows the business listing owners to attract their potential customers easily. Normally, customers always tend to search for a business listing based on the locations.
To add locations, navigate to the Directory Listing> Locations> Enter credentials ( name, description, directory type, etc.)
Step-5: Listing submission by users
Now, the time has come to add new listings to your directory website. Let us guess, you are building a car directory website where you allow your users to add their listings.
To add car listings, the users need to go to the “Add Listing” button on your car directory website and users will get the following form. To have access to the submission form, he/she needs to fill up the required fields.
After you have a series of listings on your automobile directory or classified ads website, the all-listings page will look something like this:
After adding a series of listings on your directory site, you will find the all listings page in the following look.
Step-6. Extend the functionalities of your directory website
Once everything is done correctly, you can continue to fine-tune your directory website with the premium features. And, these features eventually help your users to make a convenient room for their customers.
Taking an example, adding business hour to your website allows your users to positively attract their customers. In this case, customers can easily know the exact time of opening the business.
Again, you can add the booking and appointment feature to your directory website using the booking and appointment extension. This feature paves the way for the listing owners to reduce the hassle and save precious time for their customers being in the queue.
Apart from it, you can put an extra flavor on your directory website using different premium extensions which will bring your directory website to an incredible height.
To add the extension, navigate to the WP-Admin Dashboard ➝ Plugins ➝ Add New ➝ Upload Plugin ➝ and upload the Extension ZIP file and Activate it.
Different WordPress Directory Plugins for Different Purposes
Here are some examples of how different WordPress directory plugins can be used for different purposes:
Best overall: If you want to build your business directory website with exclusive features like multi directory facility, unlimited custom fields, and advanced form builder that make your site truly stand out, then you can get the Directorist a buy.
Best plugin for local directory: GeoDirectory, this plugin is ideal for creating a directory of local businesses, events, or places. It has built-in Google Maps integration, allowing users to search and filter listings by location.
Best plugin for simplicity in design: Business Directory Plugin is the WordPress tool that renders the ultimate simplicity in the design of a directory website. And, it eventually attracts the eyes of users.
Best plugin for creating a directory of contacts: Talking about Connections Business Directory- It is perfect for creating a directory of contacts, such as a company's employees or members of an organization. It has a wide range of fields and options, including the ability to create custom entry types as well.
Directory plugin for making more glossaries: If you have set your mind to add more names or words to your business directory website, then Sabai Directory will be the go-to-go option for you.
Lightweight directory plugin: LDD Directory Lite is the most lightweight directory plugin on our list. Hence, if your needs stick to a lightweight directory plugin for your business directory website, then give a click on LDD Directory Lite.
Wrapping Up!
That’s it. We have handpicked the most powerful directory plugins out there in the WordPress directory niche.
You can choose any of the plugins listed above and start building your directory website. Also, don’t forget to monetize your directory website once you have finished building your site.
Finally, if you find any difficulties while choosing a directory plugin then don’t hesitate to let us know by dropping some words in the comment section below. We would love to cooperate with you in the best way possible!
