Introducing SpotFinder, a Directory child theme built to utilize modern screen sizes; inspired by Airbnb
Posted onToday we are excited to break the trend of launching niche WordPress themes and offer a perfect solution needed today for directory sites. Announcing 8th Directory child theme – SpotFinder. SpotFinder is continuing the trend of reimagining Directory with new and unique child themes. It’s inspired by the new Airbnb website and thus comes with some really big design changes when compared to the parent theme.
The power and beauty of Directory theme is that you can skin it the way you want with child themes. The SpotFinder theme features a unique layout for your directory theme powered site.
Full-width layouts
Possibly the biggest changes are those implemented within category and detail pages. Those pages are now created to fully utilize all available screen size. In both cases there is a giant map area available on the left while the regular content is displayed on the right side. This left area inside category pages can even be customized with widgets. If you don’t need the map, just swap it with something else.
Unique homepage
Unlike most other Directory child themes, the SpotFinder theme homepage isn’t very focused on the map. Instead, the search bar is now the most prominent element of the homepage. Also, the header has been significantly resized and now contains just a small logo, your menu and the “Add Listing” button.
The big image you see behind the search bar is actually the header image for that city. In other words, changing the image is possible by changing the current city. Other sections of the homepage can be tweaked with widgets; the homepage is completely widgetized.
Displaying a map on the SpotFinder homepage is as simple as placing the “Homepage Map” widget inside any of the homepage widget areas.
Tabs are back
Over the last few weeks a few of you mentioned the lack of tabs inside child themes like Locations. Your feedback didn’t go unnoticed, we made sure to include detail page tabs within the SpotFinder theme. This change will allow you to use plugins like Tabs Manager and customize tabs even further.
More
There are many unique niceties in the new SpotFinder theme. You will simply need to explore and experience the theme in the live demo.
View Live Demo, take a Test Drive or Purchase SpotFinder
What are your thoughts about the new SpotFinder child theme? Let us know in the comments.
What’s next?
What you see above is our upcoming e-commerce theme, set to release in a few weeks. It will be fully responsive and WooCommerce compatible allowing you to create a modern, feature-rich ecom site. Expect more news in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
You lost me at… No Live Filtering via the Map! This isn’t even close to SpotFinder’s potential, but thanks for trying.
Hi Joseph
Live filtering wasn’t included inside the child theme because it’s already available as a separate add-on (List Filter). The add-on integrates into SpotFinder as it does in any other child theme. As soon as you enable it, you’ll be able to filter content on category pages. That includes both the listings within the map and those displayed on the right side.
Wow this looks good!
Its like you have taken everything I was trying to change and put it into this theme.
Hope it works as good.
Well done Templatic.
Thanks Cleo. Glad to hear that! :)
Hi, I like the overall design and look and feel of the theme a lot better than that of the Directory theme itself and previous child themes, but NOT without the map on the homepage. Is it possible to have the map on the homepage like with all other Directory themes? Without the map on the homepage it is a NO GO for me! Otherwise I would be very likely to purchase the whole package.
Hey Robby
In all Directory themes the homepage map is a “simple” widget. SpotFinder is no different. You won’t have any problems displaying the map on the homepage.
Hi Vedran,
so I can have the homepage map displayed exactly as in Directory or CityGuide, for example?
Yeah, you could. The only thing you’d have to do is disable the background image from showing since it’s designed to show automatically whenever there is a widget placed inside that widget area (Homepage Sidebar). If you’ll need help with that just contact our support staff and we’ll do our best to assist you.
Cool. Sounds good to me!
One last question: Since the homepage is completely widgetized, it should be possible to put a homepage slider under the map and a listings widget (horizontal display of listings) beside it, just like in the CityGuide theme (=”Homepage content left” and “Homepage content right” under, above “Homepage main content”), isn’t it? And could I also have the right sidebar start directly under the map like in CityGuide?
To sum it up, I just want to have the same homepage layout as in CityGuide, but with the SpotFinder design, because I like that design a lot more. Is that possible?
Unfortunately the slider + listings widget combination won’t work since SpotFinder doesn’t have separate Left and Right homepage widget areas like City Guide. You’ll definitely be able to display the same content in SpotFinder, but you won’t be able to make it look exactly the same as in City Guide. Well, at least not without customizing the theme.
Love the new theme .. Gives it a modern turn …
Couple of update i would love to see:
1. Have a section just below the header for the menu bar. When you have many menus, it doubles up at the current location. Will look nicer if you had a section just below the header.
2. Love the idea of making the search bar a pivotal element. But i think search bar still needs work in terms of auto complete feature.
Otherwise, its a great theme, iam buying this one….
Glad you liked it. Next up, we have updates to parent theme coming up which significantly improves the Directory theme. “Instant search” is one of the improvement included :)
For menu, I guess you can achieve this by modifying the header and move the menu on a separate strip.
Can I import listings from another directory? CSV files or ??
Yeah, migrating is possible with CSV files. However, keep in mind that the CSV file needs to be correctly structured in order to work. The structure (columns) of your import CSV file needs to be the same as the dummy CSV file provided.
Hi I just bought this theme and very desepcionado truth as it is very nice but to remove the lateral map and add this widget is very wide and in all pages in the category.
I bought very many plugins for templatic and now I see that I can not use them on this issue because as I said earlier, if I remove the map and add a widget such as search properties that are shown are not always leaving me differentiate the different categories and widget for each one.
Let me know if you are going to fix it so fast or I would like the money vevolucin since purchased widget plugin functions will not be able to use them in this topic.
Hi Damian
Sorry but I’m having trouble understanding your issue. Which map are you referring to; the one in category pages? Apart from the different layout, the map and the page work exactly the same as before. Can you submit a new ticket inside our Helpdesk and explain your problem there, we’d really appreciate it. Btw, feel free to provide a link to your site so we can check out the problem in action.
Cheers
Vedran
Hi guys,
I am in this very moment trying to set up a Website with Directory + WPML and now that I am deep into this theme I muss say: Directory is making me crazy as well your developers that face real problem for the first time with my site.
Because a Directory site is going to be ALWAYS very big. You do not test a Directory site with 10 listings and 3 Cities.
Uploading over 20K listings and translating them into several language is the real dimension of any site driven by Directory theme. Then you will see how weak is the Directory theme, how many daily situation you did not think about, how many bugs remained silence while you create more Child themes
Guys I can not say it enough: There is not real value in changing a color here or a font there if you have not really tested the parent theme in a real environment. Test Directory with over 1000 listings and you will see it with another perspective.
The problem aren’t the listings, we’ve tested Directory with up 100k listings around the time List Filter add-on was coming out. The problems (from my experience) come when there is a “faulty” listing. I’ve seen something as benign as a blank space after the address (in the address field) cause the whole map to stop loading listings. We try to fix these bugs as soon as they pop up, but it’s really hard to spot them before they occur on a users site.
Also, Directory child themes are more than just new fonts and colors. Each theme comes with several redesigned pages and hundreds or other (smaller) tweaks. Not everyone likes the took of the parent themes. Child themes simply provide more variety while keeping the features list intact.
Hi, really good work …one thing before i buy,
When will “Instant search” update happen?
Also, any plans to introduce “Search When I Move the Map” feature as on airbnb??
Hi Chris
I’m not entirely sure when is instant search coming, but, you won’t have to wait more than a month to see it.
The “Search when I move the map” feature isn’t in the works at the moment. Hard to say when you’ll see something like that.
Hi, I have opened a ticket about this and the same is in progress solution or answer.
But I wonder
1- By not using the map on the left side, it could be the option of a normal sidebar without that orizontal dimension.
2 aber a sidebar for each category individually Could because the widget is showing are all together in areas that confuse the user and do not match, you have seen this error.
3 accordingly so far is the best theme in design but has lost any functionality by not having sidebar for each category and a narrower size for use with widget.
I have bought many plugins for templatic and none can be used with this item because it leaves aside the use of the widget as it is very long and the same in all categories widget mixing everything and creating a lot of confusion.
Let me know and hopefully understand my English because I only speak Spanish, I answer if you think providing solution to this great problem ASAP.
Thank you.
Hello Damian,
Based on the promotions graphics we made, you know that the main focus of this theme is to have map/streetview on the left side and content on the right. Adding additional sidebar would totally kill the look and purpose of this theme.
That said, have you considered using other child themes of Directory? //templatic.com/wordpress-directory-themes/ such as city guide, locations or cuisine?
You can change to another theme.
If used before Emblem, but I really liked the design of this last theme is an lastina not have the option of a normal sidebar for each category.
My question is, seeing that no changes were made to this topic and can not display the widget plugins purchased.
could make the change by another subject of children. thus would not waste the money for an issue that I will not use.
Sorry, I’m having trouble understanding what you’re trying to say. Yes, the widget area structure is different in SpotFinder meaning that usual sidebars on category and detail pages aren’t really an option. If those sidebars are a big part of your ideal layout, I’d advise against getting SpotFinder. Good news is that all other child themes come with normal sidebars, so… there’s a lot of designs to choose from.
I believe that what he/she is asking is since he/she has purchased many, or all, of your plugins that could be used in the sidebar, that it only seems logical that when creating a child theme, that is truly interchangeable within the “Directory” framework, that sidebars on the Listing Detail page, and other areas, would be apart of the development of this and other upcoming Child Themes.
i also didnt notice any “Event” listings? Is the Event plugin compatible with this child theme?
You also have to recognize that sidebars are another way to allow for advertising and other pertinent Directory ad-ons/plugins, or 3rd party plugins and other scripts to be seen and monetized.
If future child themes were thought of from the perspective of true interoperability with all (or as many as possible) Directory plugins, as much widget space or space for monetization, without degrading functionality or space, it would benefit us all…
Either way love the themes and power behind them..
The thing with sidebars is that… they simply can’t look good when a page is structured as the detail page in SpotFinder. With that said, there are alternative widgets areas available for that page meaning you can display ads and similar content even though there is no sidebar. “All Pages – Below Content” is a widget area that will display on listing detail pages (along with others). Detail pages in Directory and all child themes are structured roughly the same. With SpotFinder we just wanted to try out something new. Unfortunately that meant parting ways with the good ‘ol sidebar.
Events (i.e. the Events Manager add-on) are supported by the SpotFinder child theme. The same goes with Properties (enabled by the Real Estate add-on). We don’t include them inside demos because they don’t come as standard; the features are enabled by paid plugins.
Thanks D for the constructive, helpful feedback. Vedran has already explained reasons for not having the things available in SpotFinder but we hear you. We will make sure to release future themes considering ROI and flexibility in a child theme.
(It would mean less originality and differentiation in the child theme but yes, we will keep balance between the two kind of themes)
This is cool as i was trying to do this with tweaking Directory but gave up due to no skills. This is the best and most useable format I think.
1) presume category breadcrumb can also float float left so it starts somewhere near the ‘back’ button ?
2) can grid view show 4 columns wide ?
3) would help to know widget areas but i’ll try the test drive
Tabs are back = good move :)
Hey alaska
1. There is no option for making them display on the left, but it can be achieved with a simple css tweak.
2. No, grid view is fixed on 3 listings per row. You’d have to tweak the code in order to display 4 listings.
3. Yeah, creating a test site would be the best move. You can clearly see the location of each widget area.
Hi Templatic,
I’m considering using this SpotFinder theme.
My question is that can we add a Map-View on the home page?
Also, I wish my website homepage can have a slider. So is that possible to integrate a slider into the home page of SpotFinder?
Thanks very much!
Hi there
The homepage in SpotFinder (and all other Directory child themes) is widgetized meaning you can swap elements with literally drag n’ drop. Both the map and slider are widgets. So… you’ll be able to add them to the homepage quite easily.
I just open yr spot finder in iphone5s, it crashed. I think this new template need to go through more tests.
Hey Francis. Can you try opening this URL instead: //templatic.com/demos/dirchild/spotfinder
It’s the same site as before, it just doesn’t have that demo strip (with the purchase button). All in all, it should work much better. I also have the 5s and it loads just fine.
Hello,
I am using spotfinder and directory theme. Also i installed event plugin. The problem is the detail page not showing the video, organizer information in the event detail page even after i have selected the options to display those fields in the detail page using custom field setup. Please help me out.
Hey Anim. Are you sure that the event you’re currently viewing has a value assigned to the video field? Along with enabling the field, there must be an actual video to display. If you continue having problems with this please create a ticket inside our Helpdesk, we’ll help you out.
Yes, there is an embed video in the video field. Also the organizer information in the event detail page is not showing. So i tried deactivating the spotfinder theme and checked with directory theme. Now all the details and the video is perfectly showing in the event detail page.
Hmmm, that’s weird. Those things should work with SpotFinder as well. I suggest contacting our Helpdesk, we’ll figure out a solution.