Building a WordPress directory website? You'll need one of the best WordPress directory plugins. Here's our list of the top 8 plugins to build your directory site.
Approximate read-time: 6 minutes
Building a directory website can be very challenging. There are a lot of moving parts: forms, payments, email notifications, and a lot more. Luckily you are a WordPress user - which means you can use a plugin to make the job much easier!
There are a few different types of directory sites people can build. Business directory plugins are the most popular by far, but they aren't the only type. In this post, we'll cover plugins that can create a range of directory sites, including staff directory sites & user directories.
All the plugins listed in this post should work well with any WordPress theme. Having said that, not all plugins are created equal. In any case, we've ranked these directory plugins in order of compatibility.
WordPress directory plugin or directory theme?
Of course, many users are looking for directory themes. While these can work well, keep in mind that plugins are updated 1000% more often than themes. This is because the WordPress.org plugin directory prioritizes plugins that keep their software up to date.
Many of the options on this list have theme-like elements and allow you to visually style different parts of your directory. So with the right plugin, you wouldn't need a directory theme at all!
All this doesn't mean all WordPress directory themes are bad (ListingPro has great reviews, for example). It just means that a plugin will most often be the better choice over a highly specialized theme.
Features in the best WordPress directory plugins
Almost all the plugins on this list share a similar set of features. Where they differ? User experience, support, and user interface. Here's a list of the common features found in these plugins:
- Front-end submissions
- User registration system
- Free or paid listings
- Drag and drop form builder
- Search options
- Image options
- Styling options
- Ratings & reviews
- Integrations
If you find another plugin and aren't sure if it will be a good option for your WordPress website, check if they have the above options as a first step.
The top directory plugins for WordPress
1. Formidable Directory
Free Version ✓
Premium: Starting from $298/year
Formidable Forms is a WordPress form maker plugin that you may have heard of. They’ve been in the WordPress plugin game since 2010. For years, Formidable users actually built entire directory sites using Formidable. In 2020, the folks at Formidable made it official and released a dedicated directory plugin with a whole lot included.
Formidable Forms has a user registration system built-in. With the directory solution, this idea is taken one step further. With Formidable directories, you’ll get the most advanced drag and drop form builder, plus a directory builder that builds three types of directory: business, staff, and user. It comes with a huge number of integrations too, like MailChimp and WooCommerce.
Forms are a huge part of a directory site. The form data you collect from users should be used to automatically generate your directory website. With Formidable, that’s exactly what happens. It even includes a quick-start wizard that makes starting your directory website even easier.
With Views, automatically display form data as soon as forms are submitted. Beautifully present, search and filter directory form data on the front-end.
2. Business Directory Plugin
Free Version ✓
Premium: Starting from $199/year
With a powerful free version and an even more powerful premium version, the BD plugin has a lot to offer. With BD, it’s easy to let users submit listings and accept payments at the same time. Over 20,000 users power their sites with BD.
If you want to make a business directory site like Yelp, Zomato, or Foursquare, BD can do that. But you can also create local search directories like Yellow Pages or Medical directories like ZocDoc. The UI is easy to to use and includes a ton of options, which isn’t a very easy thing to do.
Check this one out, especially if you are putting together business listings websites.
3. Another WordPress Classifieds Plugin
Free Version ✓
Premium: Starting from $199/year
When you think about it, a classifieds site is just another kind of directory listings site. So we’d be remiss to leave a solid classifieds plugin off this list. Although the name might say otherwise, this is much more than just another WordPress classifieds plugin.
AWCP is all about being easy to use and easy to set up. So fast and easy that their users will be able to monetize very quickly. If you have an idea for a classifieds site, this plugin will give you the tools needed to create it. It even has a free version where you can test out the features before buying.
Don’t miss this one if you are looking into creating a classified ads site!
4. Sabai Directory plugin for WordPress
Free Version ✗
Premium: Starting from $29/site
The Sabai directory plugin comes with a ton of features. The only complaint users have is that their UI is a bit complicated and not very intuitive. But once you learn it, there is a lot you can do.
For starters, there are display options: choose to display listings in list, grid, or map view. The design is fully response like all the other plugins on this list too. Sabai has advanced search features that let users search by keywords, category, distance, and location - even with autocomplete.
5. Directories Pro plugin for WordPress
Free Version ✗
Premium: Starting from $39/site
Directories Pro is actually made by the same crew that built Sabai. It’s essentially the same plugin except for one main difference - a redesigned UI and more features. For starters, you can use this plugin to build an unlimited number of directories and you can change settings for each one.
One great feature (and a real time-saver) is the ability to import settings. If you are building multiple sites, then you can dial-in your preferred settings and import those when creating a new site. This would be a great feature for anyone, but developers will love this for sure.
6. LDD Directory Lite
Free Version ✓
Premium: Add-ons starting from $9.99 each
LDD Directory Lite is a free plugin with some great premium add-ons. Although not as powerful as some of the other options on this list, it does allow you to easily create a fully functional custom directory on your WordPress site.
LDD claims that it’s easy to use right out of the box. Although that’s not exactly true, it doesn’t take much to get your directory site going. Don’t expect a huge number of features, but paired with the right WordPress theme, this free solution could really work well for cost-sensitive users.
7. Connections Business Directory
Free Version ✓
Premium: Starting from $74.99/site
Connections Business Directory is another great choice if you are looking to create a business directory website with WordPress. It bills itself as a simple solution in terms of design and function. This is very true, but there is a bit of a learning curve.
The UI in the WordPress back-end is not as intuitive as other plugins on this list. Once you have that “aha” moment though, you’ll find it quite easy to use. Connections can build a range of different directories, from a simple address book directory to a traditional business listing directory.
8. GeoDirectory
Free Version ✓
Premium: Starting from $199/year
GeoDirectory is a popular WordPress plugin that focuses on creating directories with a global scale in mind. It has a free version of the plugin which can be downloaded by trading your email address. That said, the free version doesn’t really allow you to create a fully functional site. It does provide a great preview into the power of the plugin however.
This plugin has a great UI which makes navigating its many features a breeze. GeoDirectory is mainly focused on creating a business portal style of directory listing. This kind of site might not be very common, but it is very important to distributors and worldwide brands. If you fit into that category, do not miss GeoDirectory.
Wrapping up
No matter what kind of directory site you are building, the above plugins will help save you a huge amount of time. Coding a directory site from scratch is a tough job. Don’t reinvent the wheel, grab one of these plugins!
For more WordPress tips on directory sites and beyond, keep it locked to the Formidable blog. Bye for now!
More WordPress directory plugin posts
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Formidable Views: The Best WordPress Custom Application Plugin
How to Build a Job Board Website With WordPress (In 4 Steps)Are you trying to create your dream directory website? Formidable’s WordPress directory software is sure to give your dreams a fighting chance! Take advantage of our 14-day money-back guarantee and get started with your new site today!
I will pay for something like this, or make a donation even
thanks, this is a brilliantly useful step bby step guide.
been visiting this site for ages so thank you
I would pay for something like this, or thro some money your way even