A directory website is one where the names, addresses, contact, and other details of like or similar individuals or organizations are grouped to be accessed from one location. Examples would be a real estate listing directory, blood banks, restaurants, etc. Online directories make it easy for people to locate any listed service. If you’re using WordPress for your website, you’ll be glad of the many Directory themes and plugins available for building your website. WordPress directory plugins can add a fully featured directory to your website.

Directory websites are a worthwhile venture as it’s possible to set up many revenue-generating streams with these websites. There are multiple options to generate revenue, from selling ads and listings to businesses to charging visitors for access to content or setting up a booking site. Featured listings, sticky listings, selling ad space, private listings, membership fees, and promoting a product are ways you can make money with a directory website.

Let’s check out some free and premium plugins that you can try for your WordPress directory website.

Free WordPress Directory Plugins

The free directory plugins in this list can effectively set up a directory on your website and allow listings. Some are simple to set up, while others require adjustments of a few settings, especially if you want to customize.

uListing

If you want to save money, time, and energy, you should also get your hands on uListing. This killer WordPress directory plugin helps you create a business listing and classified ads WordPress website in a breeze. As far as the theme you are using to make it a reality, uListing works perfectly fine with both free and premium tools. Installing, activating and setting up uListing is quick and straightforward, ideal for beginners and professionals.

uListing offers full customization options. You can create your inventory grids and lists swiftly thanks to the drag and drop builder. You also do not need to code to make adjustments and improvements with that in mind. Additional features and functionalities of uListing are neat sorting options, Paypal and Stripe payments, modifiable quick-search function and frontend listing submission. No need to think twice, take action now, go with uListing and make a difference once and for all.

Business Directory Plugin

If you wish to organize the content in your WordPress and make it searchable by users, the Business Directory Plugin is a good option. It helps you create local listing websites, directory listing websites, business provider listing, etc.

You can use the plugin for free and paid listings and receive payments via Stripe and PayFast Gateway, with full support for recurring payments. Multiple fee plans can be offered and assigned to categories for posting. Or you can receive a higher fee for a featured / sticky listing. For Featured, Latest and Random Listings, and Search, you can use widgets. It allows you to add fully customizable form fields and offers a reCAPTCHA option that will cut down on spam registrations.

Import and export of listings via CSV format is possible and so is the upload of limited number of images that can be displayed along with categories. Users can sort within categories and listings, and listing owners can edit listings without access to WP dashboard, if they have posted any item.

Search options include a quick search and an advanced search that can show or hide fields. The plugin is responsive, SEO friendly supports WPML and integrates with popular navigation plugins for easy use.

Paid add-ons can display ratings for your listings, business locations, location based filtering and zip code radius. They also help manage attachments, upload PDFs, and offer additional payment gateways and discount codes.

HivePress

HivePress is an all-around WordPress directory plugin that works for marketplaces and classifieds just as well. Also, it easily caters to different industries and niches for your convenience.

Effortless customization means you tailor HivePress to your business needs precisely quickly. Note: You can even choose between dedicated free and premium themes, but you can also integrate the plugin into yours.

So many options!

What’s cool, HivePress comes with all sorts of free and premium extensions. (Or opt for a one-time payment and purchase all extensions at once – money saver.)

HivePress is excellent to sort your out with the quick directory project creation you deserve.

GeoDirectory

As the name suggests, GeoDirectory uses geographic location to set up an online Directory website like Yelp, TripAdvisor and YellowPages. The base plugin is available for free, but the paid extensions truly enhance the plugin’s capability. You’ll have to obtain an API key for Google maps.

GeoDirectory has a robust set of features that enable millions of listings and offer tons of customization options. It has an easy-to-use frontend interface where users register, login and submit entries and reviews. They can search for listings based on zip codes or street address, and results are returned in order of proximity.

The plugin is fully responsive and compatible with multisites. It has a built-in review system, 15+ widgets (including Google Analytics Widget) and 12+ widget areas. Using the CSV format it’s easy to import and export listings in bulk. The paid extensions help to monetize your site by selling listings. These extensions also allow event-based listings, create multi-location directories, add payment gateways, etc.

Connections Business Directory

Connections is a powerful directory plugin for WordPress that can handle simple tasks such as an address book or employee directory and a full-fledged business or links directory. While the basic plugin comes with many features, the many paid extensions available allow you to add any extra function that you need.

The plugin is highly configurable. The custom fields that come with this plugin let you create almost any directory website. CSV import of nested categories and CSV export of data is supported, as well as translation into 20+ languag andnistrator dashboard can show anniversaries, birthdays and other important events. Entries can be slotted into different types – individual, organization and family. The family type of entry will allow you to group individuals together. And for some custom fields like phone numbers, users and site admins can set the privacy level.

Adding a simple shortcode to a WordPress page will display the directory at the frontend. It allows you to add responsive logos and images for each entry. You can also choose your layout from the pre-built templates and then use the powerful shortcode options to customize the appearance of your directory.

Connections Business Directory is one of the best WordPress directory plugins available today. It is compatible with most standard WordPress themes and is SEO friendly. There are a number of free and paid add-ons that can extend the plugin’s functions. With over 180 filter hooks and 300 filters, the plugin is developer friendly too.

Advanced Classifieds & Directory Pro

When it comes to Advanced Classifieds & Directory Pro plugin (ACADP), there are no limits to what kind of directory website you would like to put together. From cars, real estate, travel to restaurants, review sites or yellow pages, the list goes on and on. Also, ACADP gives you all the rights to organize your listings across many different categories and subcategories. It also has no boundaries regarding how many fields you would like to include. ACADP is a powerful and versatile WordPress directory plugin.

Other goodies of ACADP are locations and regions settings, search widget and a fully customizable layout. There are also different revenue options, payment methods and email notifications incorporated in the gem. You can start with your directory platform right away; all you need is to download and activate ACADP.

Directorist

Directorist is an exclusive WordPress directory plugin for different business purposes. With the numerous amazing and practical features, it will be pure enjoyment putting together the must-have platform with Directorist. Bear in mind, thanks to regular updates, you can expect new features and amazing updates that you can take to your advantage. Your platform will easily stand the test of time, always looking fresh and modern.

Now let’s see what is unique about Directorist. Featured listings, monetization, catchy design, email notifications, responsive layout and unlimited custom fields are a few of the goodies to get the hype going. While building a directory might sound foreign to you, with Directorist, all will become much clearer as soon as you start using it. In other words, Directorist makes sure that it applies both to beginners and professionals.

Name Directory

Name Directory is an attractive WordPress directory plugin for building unique and practical glossaries/index pages (with a search function). Upon installing and activating the plugin, you will find it appear in the left sidebar of your WordPress installation. You can access all the features and functions this tool has in store for its users. With Name Directory, you can create multiple different directories/glossaries that will decorate your website with unique new content.

In the settings section, you will find many customization options to fine-tune the layout and the overall functionality. You can enable the search function, select the number of columns, get the directory to start with a particular letter, and even translate it. For a directory that aims more toward a glossary/index style, Name Directory is one of the best solutions you can get your hands on.

LDD Directory Lite

Starting with a directory happens quickly and effortlessly once you install and activate LDD Directory Lite. This is a straightforward WordPress plugin that costs you nothing, yet it will do the trick when creating your very own directory website. There is no real need for technical knowledge, as LDD Directory Lite is for everyone, beginners and professionals. Quick configurations: You can already start benefitting from all the goodies that LDD Directory Lite has in store.

Thanks to LDD Directory Lite, you can now start all sorts of local business directories and offer organizations and agencies to submit their listings. The options are very many, that is for sure. With the simple inclusion, you can add the directory to any page you want and see it appear immediately.

Premium Plugins

With so many free plugins, you may think that there is no need to search among the premium plugins. But these plugins do have a lot to offer, both with additional features and greater support. So let’s check out a few top-selling premium directory plugins.

Sabai Directory Plugin

Sabai Directory is a feature-rich premium business directory plugin that helps create not one but many beautiful directories on WordPress. It displays listing in a beautiful list, grid, and map view. You can switch between list and map modes.

A helpful dashboard is available for users to manage their listing and bookmarks. Users can bookmark reviews, listing, and photos and search the listings by keywords, category, distance, and location. They can also vote on the pictures and reviews of listings. The most attractive feature of this plugin is its ability to build community-based local directories such as Google+ Places, Yelp, and Yahoo! Local.

The plugin provides multilocation support, allows uploading photos for listings, and shows directions on maps. You can have featured listings and custom single page listing and pricing tables on your directory. Contact form and 27 customizable email notifications are available for contacting listing owners. The plugin supports RTL, CSV import and export, and BuddyPress user profile and activity integration.

Using the Visual Form Builder, you can add custom fields and filter results using these fields. It includes a fully interactive map that can display details on hover. The map can be embedded into any page using a short code. You can choose between 16 map Google map types and add a custom marker icon to the maps. The plugin supports multiple payment gateways and currencies to receive payments.

Web 2.0 Directory Plugin

Web 2.0 Directory plugin is a completely responsive plugin that allows users to create any type of online business directory websites such as classified advertisements, real estate listing sites, or yellow pages sites. The option to search within a radius makes it ideal for a local directory.

Besides being SEO friendly and helping to build multilingual directories, it offers many necessary features include frontend listing and editing, powerful search option with content fields, rating options, management of invoices, and restriction of ads by listing levels. You can have featured and sticky listing options and allow users to choose between multiple payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe. It supports Right to Left (RTL) functionality and layouts. A frontend dashboard is available for regular users. It’s also compatible with WooCommerce payment systems and Yoast WordPress SEO plugin.

A price tag of $34 helps you earn revenues from listing renewals, listing upgrades, and claims. This plugin has out-of-the-box support for Google maps and map marker icons. You can upload images via Ajax and attach videos and vimeos as well. Visitors to the site can contact the owner directly on integration with Contact Form 7. They can also bookmark entries, print them or download them in PDF format. The plugin is built using Bootstrap and is compatible with most standard WordPress themes. It is compatible with WPBakery Page Builder, allows CSV import of images and included 12 shortcodes and 5 widgets.

Directory Pro

Directory Pro helps you build responsive layouts for your directory while allowing you to make money with it by selling listings in innovative ways. Users can subscribe for varying periods such as daily, weekly, monthly, or annually or opt for one-time payments. You can also offer free or paid trials and tailor user roles to align with the packages. The subscription can cover services like Adding a listing, accessing the site, making a reservation, selling a VIP badge, etc.

The plugin allows custom post type and is SEO friendly, fully responsive, WPML compatible and integrated with WPBakery Page Builder and MailChimp. Users can add or edit listings from ‘My Account’ at the front end and pay for listings via the Paypal payment gateway or the Stripe payment gateway. They can also contact the listing owner via a note. You can place the listing details page on a touch slider to make it easy for visitors to view on mobiles.

When it comes to new listings, you can add a badge and specify the number of days the badge is to display. The plugin also includes 7 pricing tables, 2 signup styles, coupons for signup, 11 email templates, and a host of other features and settings.

GravityView

Many of us use Gravity Forms to add forms such as Contact Forms to our website. These forms collect loads of data. The GravityView plugin helps display this data in Table view, List View, Data tables and Google Maps to serve as a directory. Using a paid add-on, you can instantly have a paid directory.

Admins will find it easy to work with this plugin. You can search entries, sort columns by values and filter entries, and opt to approve or reject entries. Add a star to an entry in the Admin Panel to display it as a featured entry. Site admins and users can edit entries right inside the original Gravity Forms. It’s possible to upload multiple media elements like images, audio and video and display them in a gallery. A drag and drop builder helps in content layout. Users can rate entries.

This plugin works well with other Gravity plugins like GravityFlow, Gravity PDF, and GFChart to do even more with your form data. GravityView allows deep integration with DataTables, a quality script for working with tabular data, for certain levels of licenses purchased. This enables you to browse, filter, and sort entries with live updates. With a paid add-on, you can import entries in CSV format. The plugin is highly customizable with a 30 day refund guarantee.

Map List Pro

An easy-to-use, fully-featured, Google map and location listing WordPress Plugin, Map List Pro for WordPress lets you quickly display your locations in a page that is sortable, searchable, and filterable. Map List Pro is perfect for creating store locators, office address and contact lists.

The geolocation capability and listing feature make it suitable for listings.

Classifier

As the name suggests, Classifier is the ideal WordPress plugin for building classified ads websites. If that is something that you are thinking of realizing, now you can with the all-around, feature-rich and easy to use Classifier. The directory listing you are about to start could be a niche or generic, Classifier handles them both without a hitch. You can focus on one industry or create multiple, offering many businesses, agencies and freelancers to submit listings.

Some superb features of Classifier include private chat, five home page designs, seven search page layouts, review system and a convenient user dashboard. Of course, your impressive creation will also operate smoothly on desktop and mobile devices and popular web browsers. Feel free to take a peek at the demo first and see how robust Classifier is.

Directories Pro

Directories Pro is a sophisticated and feature-rich WordPress directory plugin with all the necessary amenities. With Directories Pro, you can go after establishing any directory you want. From such similar to Yelp and Google Places to user, property, restaurant and local business directories to name a few. The web design you create with Directories Pro is also mobile-ready, fast performing, and in tune with web browsers.

Following are just a few of the broad array of features you gain access to. Directories Pro ensures advanced search with filtering, custom fields management, content editor, custom maps and a frontend user dashboard. It also accepts paid listings, CSV import and export, reviews and Better Notification for WordPress. Moreover, Directories Pro is also compatible with SEO and other modern web and tech practices.

Everest Business Directory

To build and establish a solid business directory, Everest Business Directory is the one WordPress plugin to use. It comes with five lists and five grid layouts, and map view. As far as the map goes, Everest Business Directory rocks Google Maps integration. While you can manage and maintain the entire directory on the back-end, your users can also submit, edit and delete listings on the frontend. To make your web platform even more convenient, Everest Business Directory includes an advanced search form to find listings quicker.

In the Everest Business Directory package, you will find several gorgeous templates which you can use out of the box or improve according to your preferences. You ct expiration date and keep the security first-grade with Google reCAPTCHA. You will also find categories and tags widgets and a shortcode. In conclusion, all you need is Everest Business Directory and nothing else.

In Conclusion

Developing a directory from scratch is both costly and time-consuming. This is where WordPress Directory plugins can prove to be handy and enable anyone to start with their directory listing website. If you prefer a WordPress theme to handle your directory, check out this list. If it’s a more specific classifieds directory you need, there are themes for that.

If your favorite plugin is not on this list, let us know about it in the Comments section.