The popularity of online directories is increasing and it’s turning out to be one of the most popular forms of online business. And one of the best forms of monetized websites is online directories, which can be easily created using the free or premium WordPress Directory Plugins.
However, the challenge is to select an efficient directory plugin for WordPress software that makes your task easier. Because online directories with enormous traffic and data are not so easy to manage and maintain.
To create a directory website you can go for a WordPress directory theme, or rely on these Directory plugins for WordPress. We have the list of best free and paid WordPress directory plugins 2024 to help you create exclusive directories on your WordPress website.
Tevolution + Directory WordPress Theme With Plugin
This is a Directory WordPress theme with the plugin – Tevolution Directory to create a powerful directory software. Tevolution directory is a directory WordPress plugin, that you won’t have to purchase separately but comes bundled with the Directory WordPress theme.
This word press plugin directory comes with options to let you create custom fields for your listings. Create custom post types for different types of listings. Besides, it has some monetization options and a transaction management system. With this WordPress directory plugin, you can allow front-end listing submission and manage the listing on your directory website.
DT – Directory Plugin
DT directory is a feature-packed WordPress plugin to create a perfect directory website. Whatever theme you use, this plugin will allow you to build a fantastic directory site.
It has a modern design and advanced features to create a competitive directory. The pre-made templates make your work easier. This plugin is provided with ten different listing styles to showcase the businesses.
The advanced search will let you customize your search with different filters. It has map output so that the search results can be viewed on the map. It has map icons with an average rating, number of views, category image, & Category icon.
It also provides you with detailed statistics to completely manage your business. You can monetize your directory with seamless WooCommerce integration.
Simple Directory WordPress Plugin
As the name suggests, the simple directory is a simple yet straightforward WordPress directory plugin for WordPress websites. It is a WordPress business listing-based plugin that you can use for yellow pages, real estate, contact directory, or any kind of business directory website.
This directory plugin is translation-ready and comes with some advanced search options to enhance the searchability of your online directory website. This directory plugin is free to download. However, there is a pro version of this Plugin with some advanced listings features available on CodeCanyon.
Toolset Directory
Toolset Directory is a flexible solution for whatever type of directory website you’re hoping to create. You can use Toolset Directory to add some of the most important features that every directory website needs including custom post types, a custom search, and maps. Like LDD Directory Lite this comes with many amazing features.
Not only that but you don’t need to use PHP coding to create these features. And you can customize exactly how you want them to look. Non-coders will be able to create an advanced directory website easily while experienced programmers will save a lot of time that would have been spent on complex coding.
Sabai Directory Plugin
Sabai is a feature-rich, and one of the paid and best WordPress directory plugins. It easily allows you to turn your WordPress website into a directory or review website.
Sabai Directory plugin is a simple and powerful directory plugin for WordPress with a fully configured directory module that encompasses all the important directory features. It allows location-based features and allows displaying listings in grid, list, or map view. This WordPress business listing plugin has all you need to create a directory website. It comes with PayPal integrated and supports RTL. Check out all the features now!
Gravity Forms Directory Plugin for WordPress
Gravity forms directory is an interesting directory plugin for WordPress. The idea is to create forms with shortcodes and accept data from the visitors through simple gravity forms. But then display the data as directory listings.
Basically, this WordPress Directory plugin is just like the simple gravity forms plugin which displays the submitted data in the form of a listing. Since the whole concept is based on gravity forms, it’s really easy to use. Besides, it has some clever searching and sorting features.
Web 2.0 Directory Listing Plugin WordPress
web 2.0 directory plugin for WordPress lets you create feature-rich multipurpose directory websites easily. This plugin comes with location-based features for an enhanced user experience.
web 2.0 WordPress directory plugin comes with a “Download listing as PDF” option. Moreover, it is compatible with WooCommerce payments systems to allow you to easily accept the payments. It comes with import and export features and is RTL-ready. Besides, there are many advanced features. Click read more to know all that it has to offer.
Geo Directory – Directory Plugin for WordPress
Geo directory is a WordPress directory plugin that you can download for free. It is multi-site compatible and comes with the features to import and export WordPress listings. If you have tried LDD Directory Lite which is a word press plugin directory then you’d love this plugin.
The Geo Directory WordPress business directory plugins for WordPress is highly flexible and lightweight. However, for added features into your directory website, like advanced search, events, affiliate program, etc., there are paid add-ons you can use.
Connections Business Directory plugin
Connections business directory WordPress plugin is one of the free and easy to use business listings plugin. This is a business directory plugin WordPress that is very useful when you are creating a contact directory website. With repeatable fields for phone numbers or email addresses, etc, it gives you the freedom to add as much information as you want.
However, it can also perform efficiently as a WordPress directory listing plugin to let you create a business directory. It comes with many add ons and features like google maps and web 2 0 directory features. The theme is SEO-friendly and comes with import-export features. This web directory WordPress plugin supports some premium extensions that you can include into your site for added features. This is why it is one of the best WordPress directory plugins.
Business Directory Plugin for WordPress
Business plugin directory plugin for WordPress, as the name says it all, is an easy-to-use directory plugin. It is a free WordPress directory listings plugin that you can use to allow business listings on your WordPress website. This considered the best WordPress directory plugin due to the amazing features, add-ons, and simplicity.
This business Listings Business Directory plugin allows customizations of the submission form fields so that you can create listings of your choice. It is SEO-friendly and supports Yoast SEO. It also has the ability to easily import/export business listings in CSV format. Like any other free directory plugin, the Business directory to has some paid add-ons that you can integrate for advanced features in your directory website.
BePro WordPress Website Directory Plugin
BePro Listings is a free WordPress directory plugin for WordPress that can turn your WordPress website into a fully functional online directory. It comes with many add-ons that can make your everyday business tasks smooth. You can get many add-ons like yelp, Google maps, drag and drop options, name directory, local business lists, and much more with this WordPress business directory plugin.
With this web directory WordPress plugin, you can offer front-end submission. You can create listings related to classifieds, real estate, or general business listings. This plugin comes with location-based features to let you create location-aware WordPress web directory software. BePro listing Directory plugin provides compatibility with many popular WordPress plugins.
Directory Pro – WordPress Directory Plugin
Directory Pro is a premium directory plugin for WordPress. It is a straightforward directory plugin for WordPress. If you’re looking for the best WordPress directory plugin with simple features and a reasonable price then this is your WordPress business directory plugin choice.
Directory Pro supports Visual Composer and comes with Stripe and PayPal integrated. This directory WordPress plugin has many features that you can use to earn through your directory website. The directory plugin is SEO-friendly.
Name Directory- Directory Plugin
If you wish to create a name/address directory, try this directory plugin for WordPress. You can basically use this directory WordPress plugin to create a dictionary-based website or a contact directory.
The listings will be presented in the form of glossaries. The options for editing these WP directory plugins are easy and intuitive. This WordPress plugin for building online directories is free to download.
Classified Listing
This is a WordPress plugin designed specifically to create a WordPress directory for Classified listings. You can integrate this plugin into your existing website to add a section to allow classified listing posting.
It comes with all the features that you will need to create and manage classified listings. There are a lot of options that will let you manage the listings on your website. Even the users who post their listings on your website will have enough options to manage their classified adverts. Moreover, there are options to control the fields, control the number of images allowed to be posted, included PayPal, pricing options, permalink options, and location features. Even though the free version of the plugins business directory plugin comes with all the required features, you can upgrade to the pro version for more options.
Membership, Events & Directory Plugin
The membership directory plugin allows you to create fully functional directory websites for location or business listings, events, or any kind of membership group organization. This plugin lets you create any kind of membership-based website with access control.
On your membership-based website, you can create any level of membership so that different users can subscribe to different types of membership package with different privileges. The registered members renew and upgrade or downgrade their membership. There is also a feature for email where you can send daily emails or bulk emails to the members. For flexibility, the plugin allows custom field management and comes with a customizable membership form.
Simple Business Directory
You can use this plugin to create a single-page or multi-page business directory website. The free version comes with all the required features like google maps, web 2 0 directory, connection business directory, CSV import and export, payment gateways, and much more. Ideal for creating a small business directory website.
This plugin is ideal for creating directory listings like store locator, restaurant directory, etc. You can directly embed the listings into your website from the internet to create a useful information directory for your visitors. You can even create an employee or staff directory for your visitors. For the front-end users, it provides the best search and filter options to make sure that they find the relevant listings easily. Moreover, the tabbed display of categories makes browsing even easier.
Web Directory Free Plugin
This is a very simple yet useful plugin for creating a listing-based directory or a classified website. You can create a classified or a directory website for any niche very easily. Included is a powerful search system and location-based features.
Using directories pro options you can use the shortcodes to create the initial pages and start using the plugin to populate your website with listings right away. It also provides fully customizable form fields. There are so many different listing-based features. For example, a visitor can print listing information or save it as a bookmark for later use. You can even choose to download it as a PDF. The listing owner can embed images, YouTube and Vimeo video attachments. You can even use the custom fields to create more meaningful listings. There are custom icons, unlimited color options, and many other customization options to create an interesting listing. There is also a pro version of the plugin that comes with advanced features.
Simple Link Directory
A bit different from the other plugins in this list, but this is your easy option to create a resource page or an informational page with useful links. It is very lightweight and easy to use.
It lets you allow paid link submission to your website and even a claim Listing feature for the link owners to get access to edit the link on your website. The plugin is ideal for creating resource pages like a single page directory, a link directory, a video or image directory, an affiliate directory, etc. Such plugins can help bloggers create link directory pages for affiliate marketing and SEO purposes. There are a few monetization features too that can help you make money through your website.
Directorist – Business Directory Plugin
This plugin is a complete package to create a business directory website. You can use it to create a WordPress business directory website with paid listings and other monetization features. There are also advanced features like featured listings, auto listing expiration, and email alert systems.
It even supports custom fields to allow you more flexibility with what information you want the listing to display. Moreover, the directory plugin has a good, responsive design for the pages, and is really easy to use. You can make money through your directory website with paid listing submission feature, featured listings as well as listing claim feature. Moreover, there are enough customization options to let you create a beautiful directory or a classified website. It is optimized for speed and performance and should work well with almost any WordPress theme. The business directory plugin also supports the Elementor page builder for easy drag and drop page builder.
Advanced Classifieds & Directory Pro
This plugin lets you create an efficient and flexible directory website with WordPress. It supports unlimited categories and category levels. For further flexibility, you can add an unlimited number of extra fields to your category.
There are features to let you manage listings, and renew, edit or delete the listings. For the viewers, they can save the listings as favorites to view later. There are different options for the Admin can control the number of images a listing owner can upload. They can even embed videos from YouTube in their listings. There are an advanced search and filter system that lets the visitors easily find the listings of their choice. Moreover, it comes with basic monetization features to let you earn through it. Payments can be processed through PayPal or Stripe or through offline payments. There are also automated email features.
A Few Important resources for creating a directory website:
- Tutorial: This is a step-by-step guide on how to create and maintain a directory website with WordPress.
- Directory Themes: We recommend using our Directory WordPress Theme but here is a list of directory themes if you are looking for more options.
- Classifieds Theme: One of the most popular forms of directory websites is a classifieds directory website.
- Real Estate Directory: A ready-to-use Real estate Directory theme.
- Events Directory: You can easily create and maintain an events portal that can help you make money through it.
There are Different directory plugins for different users
…and you can choose the one, based on the type of web directory you want to create.
Different directory websites have different features and requirements. And If you want to create a custom web directory, it’s difficult to find a perfect Directory theme or a WordPress directory plugin.
There are multiple directory plugins for WordPress. Each of them is designed for specific purposes. For instance, there is a real estate directory plugin that you can use to create a real estate website.
Just a click and you can turn your WordPress website into a ready-to-go real estate listing directory site. Also, there is the Simple Link Directory WordPress plugin, to create simple online directories. So, you can choose a directory WordPress plugin based on your requirements.
Besides, there are directory plugins, that can let you create a restaurant directory, WooCommerce product directories, a directory of products, places, people, links, etc. You can search for one and find out the best directory plugin for your online web directory.
How to choose a directory plugin for your WordPress website?
As we know, there are multiple directory plugins with different features. Now the question is, How do you pick up an ideal directory plugin for WordPress?
Well, when it comes to pre-programmed directory plugins, it’s difficult to find one that exactly fits your requirements. But you should try finding a good directory plugin that is most flexible and easy to use.
So before you decide upon a Business directory plugin, Make sure you read reviews and use all the pre-sales facilities. You can try out the demos or free trials, whatever the WordPress plugin provider offers. Also, make sure you try out the directory plugin into your website, only after securing a complete backup of your website. So just in case, the plugin messes up your website, you have the backup to restore your online directory.
If your motive to create a web directory is to earn through it, check if there are enough monetization features. Because directory websites are not like ordinary business or eCommerce websites. They need more effort to manage and maintain. And therefore, it should provide you with enough incentive worth your time and efforts.
Besides, there can be many other features that a directory plugin must have. The responsiveness and compatibility with different themes, geo-location features, maps, custom fields, ad monetization options, and a good front-end submission system. If your directory website has a scope greater than a city, you should look for a directory plugin that has multiple city functions. Also, a good directory plugin needs to have maps, and listings searchable by Map.
Just make sure your Biz Directory plugin has all that you need, to create a global or local business directory in WordPress, effortlessly.
What should I choose: Directory plugin or A WordPress directory theme?
Unfortunately, there’s no specific answer to this question. What WordPress directory system works for you, solely depends on what type of directory website you want to create.
If you want to create a massive web directory, focused just on listings, with lots of monetization features, you must choose a WordPress Directory Theme.
For beginners, the Directory themes are easy to use and robust. They come with intuitive options and you can get started on your website in minutes. On the other hand, if you want some simple directory features on your existing website, you can use a directory WordPress plugin.
Choose from the premium, well-reputed Directory Plugins that integrate seamlessly into your website. Especially when you want to create a simple directory website, on your existing website, a directory plugin is perfect. Just install a plugin, and get started with your online directory.
When you use the plugins on your existing website, you get to keep your website design and your content as it is.
So, you can choose from among Web directory software, based on your site’s requirements.
Directory plugin with front-end submission system and easy ad monetization
Online business directories are generally a form of an online business website. Here, the directory owners find a way to make money by allowing businesses a portal to advertise their business. While the business owners find a platform to present their business features and contact details.
However, in order to let the businesses submit their own listings on your online directory website, you need a front-end admin system. Choose a WordPress directory plug-in that comes with a front-end submission form and all the features that allow the visitors to submit their listings and the admin to manage the submitted listings.
Besides, an active online directory may have hundreds or even thousands of visitors per day. Therefore you can easily earn through advertisement services like Google AdSense or simply by displaying advertisement banners on your site.
Most of the premium directory WordPress plugins come with the above-mentioned abilities. Besides, it must have location Based Search, filters, maps, galleries, and lots of similar features. You can just install them on your site, and start allowing business to submit their listing on your website.
Go for a directory plugin that lets you create and manage custom fields
There are so many different types of directory websites that you can create. Based on a different niche, and the business idea behind an online directory, the listings can have totally different fields.
Generally, you will find a niche directory plugin, based on your web directory’s requirements. But still, your business listings may or may not have all the fields you have in your mind.
To try your directory plugin and it features, you can install a free WordPress theme and try integrating the directory pro plugin and test its features before you use it on your live website. And we highly recommend backing up your live website before you try installing a new directory plugin, or try installing the plugin in a test environment before pushing it live.
Even when the directory niche remains the same, you definitely need the flexibility of adding more fields to your listings. Therefore, the ability to add custom fields to your listings, adds extensibility to your site.
However, here we have a list of some of the best Directory plugins. You can use these directory plugins to create your web directory website or a member directory. This list contains premium and free plugins that can help you start a WP Business Directory in no time.
Multi-Language Support
You can show totally different details than what your competitors do. For example, go for a directory theme/plugin that allows you to go multi-lingual.
Especially when it is a global directory that covers different regions with different linguistic preferences, you should make sure that your theme supports multiple languages.
Security
One of the most important parts of your Directory website is its security. When you download a directory plugin from the internet, make sure it comes from a reliable source to submit listings. Like Sabai directory provides different rating and review options of different features.
You should check to ensure that there aren’t any security glitches in the plugin you add to your website. This one-time inspection and research can save you a lot of trouble. A Directory website involves a lot of user data and financial transactions and sensitive user data. A slight carelessness can cause a lot of problems for you. Therefore, take every step to ensure the security of your WordPress website.
You might also like:
- Best Travel WordPress Themes to share your travel stories
- Why We recommend Bluehost for Hosting WordPress websites?
- Recommended Features for your Online Bookings based WordPress Websites
- Best Landing Page themes for creating conversion-optimized sites
- Best WordPress site themes for architects and design engineers
Choose your favorite Directory Plugin now…
So these were the most popular, versatile, and widely-installed directory plugins to get started with your online web directory in minutes. This works easily with the WordPress site as users can submit connections business directory setup requests. Make sure to check the directories pro options as well. There are also some advanced classifieds in some directory listing plugins get familiar with them.
For the free WP directory plugins, you can try the free downloadable version and check the admin interface to make sure that it has all the features and ease of use that you are looking for. You can add local businesses, google maps users can submit listings for WordPress business, you can try payment gateways, try name directory, and much more in the free version.
While if you want to go for a premium wp directory plugin or directories pro and advanced classifieds, you must study the sales page properly to find out if it has all the desired features that you want your online directory to have. You also need to compare different paid listings, premium add ons, CSV import options, and accept payment fees. Alternately, you can try contacting the support team of your WordPress Directory plugin and ask them to help you out.
The easiest way to create a directory like a pro is by using a directory theme. Use a one-time theme for the name directory for your WordPress business and submit listings right away.
Simple Business Directory
You can use this plugin to create single page or multi-page business directory website. The free version comes with all the required features and is ideal for creating a small business directory website.
This plugin is ideal for creating directory listings like store locator, restaurant directory, etc. You can directly embed the listings into your website from the internet to create a useful information directory for your visitors. You can even create an employee or staff directory for your visitors. For the front-end users, it provides the best search and filter options to make sure that they find the relevant listings easily. Moreover, the tabbed display of categories makes browsing even easier.
Simple Link Directory
A bit different from the other plugins in this list, but this is your easy option to create a resource page or an informational page with useful links. It is very lightweight and easy to use.
It lets you allow paid link submission to your website and even claim a Listing feature for the link owners to get access to edit the link on your website. The plugin is ideal for creating resource pages like a single page directory, a link directory, a video or image directory, an affiliate directory, etc. Such a plugin can help bloggers create link directory pages for affiliate marketing and SEO purposes. There are a few monetization features too that can help you make money through your website.