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Creating a directory website can be a challenging task unless you have the right tools. Speaking of tools, the most popular and widely used tool to create a fully featured and dynamic directory website is WordPress. It has made setting up an online directory a lot easier for web users.

In fact, you can seamlessly convert any up and running WordPress website into an online directory website with the integration of directory plugins.

But with hundreds of free and premium plugins available, how do you intend to choose the right one for your business?

Well,

In today’s post, we have hand-picked some of the best options for you to help you build a custom directory for your WordPress website.

1. Simple Link Directory

Simple Link Directory is a unique directory plugin in approach. It is unique and highly advanced for one Page directory and content curation. This directory plugin enables you to create elegant and innovative link, Partners or Resources directory in few minutes.
This plugin can be used in various ways like link directory, one-page directory, link library, bookmark collection, bookmark directory, vendor directory, useful link collection, affiliates directory, partners directory, link curation and resources directory. It is considered to be the best WordPress directory plugin for this new web age.

Some of its many features are,

It enables you to build a confined list of thousands of links and display them on the one-page directory.
It has a configurable highlight color for lists.
You can also use it as Associate or Partner page or Link directory.
This directory plugin is very fast and provides very friendly support.
It will also integrate your links of the directory with the Google Analytics.

2. Advanced Classified & Directory Pro

Advanced Classified & Directory Pro is a powerful, professional, high quality and flexible directory plugin. It enables you to almost every kind of directory site. ACADP also allows you to organize your listing across infinite categories and subcategories.

Let’s check some of its features in a nutshell,

It enables you to set unlimited custom fields which make your WordPress website to accommodate all the business areas you want to advertise easily.
It also gives you a location setup which is highly configurable. This enables you to setup Google map integration.
Efficient backend management enables you to monitor all listings of the backend. You can add new listings, locations, categories and edit their details. It gives you full control over all its setting which helps you to run your website smoothly.
It also enables you to customize the layout. Now you can choose what you want to display in the frontend.
You can also add images and videos as well.

3. Staff Directory Plugin

Staff directory plugin is a company directory plugin which is an easy way to add staff directory in your WordPress website. You can choose the way of presentation in several easy layouts which are easy to understand. This allows your visitor to know your faculty or staff and your capabilities.

This plugin also avails you easy search functions to find details of staff members in the much simple way. It also displays your staff in very easy to view layout. Some of its many features are as follows,

Complete customization by allowing template system. This gives you full control over the feel and looks of the staff members.
It simplifies administration. Adding and removing staff or faculty is very easy with Staff Directory Plugin. The shortcodes are also very easy to understand.
In the display layout, there are attractive layouts which empower the user to control what fields to display such as the customizable layout of staff layout or staff grid.
This can be the perfect wayhe features of WordPress Company Staff Directory Plugin: – Employee Directory,
It enables you to search employee with its employee number, email, full name, department and job title.
It is very easy to customize employee staff profile pages.
Easy to create custom fields and display in staff profiles.
Easy to rename employee slug and taxonomy slug.
Also, have the ability to show custom fields on the frontend for the employees. to display staff phone directory.

4. WordPress Company Staff Directory Plugin

WordPress Company Staff Directory Plugin helps you to improve your organization’s internal and external communication as it provides directory search functionality in your website or intranet.he features of WordPress Company Staff Directory Plugin: – Employee Directory,

It enables you to search employee with its employee number, email, full name, department and job title.
It is very easy to customize employee staff profile pages.
Easy to create custom fields and display in staff profiles.
Easy to rename employee slug and taxonomy slug.
Also, have the ability to show custom fields on the frontend for the employees.

Let’s quickly have a glance over the features of WordPress Company Staff Directory Plugin: – Employee Directory,

It enables you to search employee with its employee number, email, full name, department and job title.
It is very easy to customize employee staff profile pages.
Easy to create custom fields and display in staff profiles.
Easy to rename employee slug and taxonomy slug.
Also, have the ability to show custom fields on the frontend for the employees.

5. Business Directory Plugin

Business Directory is the widely used, most popular and versatile WordPress plugin that has more than 20,000 active installs. The plugin allows you to add a revenue generating section, improve customer retention and increase interaction on your website. Business Directory Plugin lets you build business provider listing sites, directory listing sites, local listing websites and more.

Additional features of Business Directory Plugin
Equipped with Stripe and PayFast Gateway for accepting payments.
Supports reCAPTCHA.
Accept listing payments and provide
Comes with Built in CSV import and export feature
Free listings in your business directory.
Offers full support for rfecurring payments.
Has a fully customizable form fields
Optimized for search engines using Yoast SEO

6. Name Directory

Name Directory is a simple yet effective WordPres plugin that comes with an option to create multiple directories. It adds name/term directories to your WordPress installation and contains entries with properties such as submitter, description, and name.

Additional features of Name Directory
Allows you to create multiple directories
Comes with plenty of configuration options to customize the layout and functionality of the directory
Lets you show/hide search function, suggestion form, description, and title
Is WPML Compatible

7. Web 2.0 Directory

Web 2.0 Directory is yet another premium WordPress plugin ideal for creating different types of listing such as yellow page, wedding site, real estate, classified ads, events, boats, bikes and more. Being built on Twitter Bootstrap, Web 2.0 Directory plugin is fully responsive and SEO friendly making your website look great on almost every device and screen size.

Additional features of Web 2.0 Directory

Has Frontend dashboard for regular users
Comes with invoices management
Offers Sticky and featured listings options
Has Order directory listings
Comes integrated with Google Maps
Lets your users perform locations to search in radius
Allows quick CSV import

8. Directory Pro

Directory Pro is a simple and modest WordPress plugin used to build a beautiful and functional directory for your users. The plugin allows you to add/edit listing from front-end as well as back-end. Directory Pro also supports custom post type, which allows you to use an SEO Plugin to optimize your website for search engines like Yahoo, Google, Bing and more.

Additional features of Directory Pro
Offers PayPal express checkout with all options
Boasts of Fully Responsive and SEO friendly design layout
Comes integrated with MailChimp and Visual Composer
Offers Unlimited Subscription
Is WPML Compatible

9. Simple Directory Pro

Simple Directory Pro is a fully responsive and widely used WordPress plugin developed for business listing websites. Being built on a BootStrap framework, the plugin makes your business listing look presentable on all types of devices and screen sizes. You get the option to create premium as well as free listing and generate revenues by seamlessly monetizing it. The plugin gives you the category listing option and allows you to display business hours, payment methods, logo, images, description, social links, and contact info.

Additional features of Simple Directory Pro

Custom templates for individual listings and categories
Equipped with Google Sitelinks Search box
Offers “Get Directions” link
Has interactive embedded maps
Offers Search shortcode and listing categories shortcode
Also, Provides basic and premium listing levels

10. Sabai Directory Plugin

Sabai Direction is one of the most popular and premium WordPress directory plugin that enables you to create beautiful directories on your WordPress website. The plugin has the ability to create a community driven local business directories such as Google+, YELP, Yahoo! Local and more.

It also comes with a variety of payment options including PayPal, Authorize.net, Stripe, and 2Checkout. Being equipped with an array of customization options, the plugin allows you to change the look and feel of your website.

Additional features of Sabai Directory Plugin

Display listings in list, grid, or map view
Has Fully responsive and flat design
Offers Multi-location support
Enable you to add photos of listings
Lets your users vote reviews helpful/non-helpful
Integrated with Flexible role-based permission system
Comes with 27 customizable e-mail notifications, 16 custom Google map styles, 11 widgets and 12 shortcodes

11. GeoDirectory

GeoDirectory is a flexible and free WordPress plugin that allows you to build functional, advanced location-based directories. GeoDirectory is one of the best plugins capable of scaling to massive traffic and millions of listings, thanks to its highly optimized database structure and queries.

Create the next big Tripadvisor or Yelp with GeoDirectory!

Additional features of GeoDirectory

Built to be flexible, efficient, and lightweight
15+ widgets and 12+ widget areas.
2 different Google Maps widgets. Create unlimited categories with ajax-loading custom markers
Built-in forms for User Reviews, Send-to-Friend and Business Enquiry.
GeoDirectory is 100% WPML compatible.
Has optimized database structure

12. Connections Business Directory

Connections Business Directory is an ideal plugin for office directory, business directory, school staff, church and more. It is a modest and free plugin that works amazingly with almost every WordPress theme available out there.

Additional features of Connections Business Directory

Scalable, manage directories which contain hundreds of thousands of entries.
CSV Export of addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and dates.
CSV Import of nested categories.
Role capability support.
Extensible and developer friendly.
Robust templating support with the Template Customizer
Repeatable fields for address, phone numbers, email, IM, social media, links and dates

13. Gravity Forms Directory Plugin

Gravity Forms is the most intuitive WordPress directory plugin to build an online directory site. Equipped with plenty of customization options, the plugin is suitable for both beginners as well as experienced developers. It enables you to integrate contact forms to your existing websites and build a web based directory within minutes.

Additional features of Gravity Forms Directory Plugin

Display entries only to the creator of the entries.
Editing of directory listings by users who are logged into the plugin.
The operation is entirely based on shortcodes.
Sorting by column.
Display listing which is approved, with an easy approval access.
Directory features pagination.
Support lightboxes for uploaded Image.
Lets you easily re-organize the columns

14. BePro Listings Plugin

BePro is the most user-friendly WordPress plugin that enables front-end submissions and builds a front-end and back-end directory. The plugin offers a simple installation and configuration procedure that allows you to quickly build a directory for your business.

BePro Listings plugin is ideal for classifieds, personal portfolios, product catalogue, business directory, and real estate.

Additional features of BePro Listings Plugin

Accept Payments
Upload CSV
Allow users to search and filter by name, location, categories, price.
Clustered Google Maps
Listing Templates and Multisite.
Responsive listing and detail pages.
Custom posts and email notifications

15. WP Local Plus

WP Local Plus is a fully automated, and easy to use WordPress plugin that enables you to automatically create dynamic and content packed local business directories integrated with coupon offers, business listings, dynamic business reviews, Google Maps integration and much more.

Additional features of WP Local Plus:

Equipped with high-powered search tool
Has built-in contextual text system
Comes integrated with featured listing advertising system
Enables your visitors to get detailed information about business listings such as maps, reviews, website, location and much more
Also, comes integrated with Google Maps

16. Map List Pro

Map List Pro is a Google Map integrated, fully features and easy to use WordPress plugin that allows you to quickly show your locations in a filterable, searchable and sortable list. Powered by advanced customization options, you can easily and conveniently customize your website. The plugin also comes packed with 35+ styles. The availability of an assortment of useful features makes Map List Pro an ideal option for building contact lists, office address lists, and store locators.

Additional features of Map List Pro

Lets you create filterable, sortable and searchable lists in seconds.
Has flexible width design
Equipped with a simple location editor to create categorised locations easily
Integrated with Geo Location and location search
Equipped with advanced search function to allow Search for locations by distance
Use geolocation for directions and location distances.
Allow users to search by location and text

17. CM Business Directory

CM Business Directory is a professional WordPress plugin developed and maintained by CreativeMinds. The plugin offers you the ability to build an embeddable professional directory for your site and start generating revenue immediately.

CM Business Director enables each business directory listing to include customization options, hyperlinks, contact information, and descriptions.

Additional features of CM Business Directory

Lets you create directory categories
Display all businesses in a catalog list format
Include business description and pitch
Has a functional search directory and business logo

Jason Daszkewicz is a WordPress developer and a passionate blogger. He is a tech evangelist with a reputation to provide optimum solutions for custom WordPress plugin development and solving real life problems with the power of IT. His passion for upgrading his knowledge puts him to research on topics relevant to his industry. You can follow him on Twitter.