{"id":2150,"date":"2018-03-07T12:47:55","date_gmt":"2018-03-07T07:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedevcouple.com\/?p=2150"},"modified":"2018-03-07T13:11:59","modified_gmt":"2018-03-07T08:11:59","slug":"build-next-wordpress-directory-site-geodirectory-plugin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedevcouple.com\/build-next-wordpress-directory-site-geodirectory-plugin\/","title":{"rendered":"Build Your Next WordPress Directory Site with GeoDirectory Plugin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Directory-based websites are an excellent source of finding locations. They are used by both locals and tourists to locate places or events in a particular area. Such websites cover a range of different niches like restaurants, hospitals, listings, etc.<\/p>\n

In WordPress, there are a few choices of plugins which help you create a directory based website. However, GeoDirectory<\/a> stands out of the lot by providing all the essential features for free.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a rock solid plugin which can turn any WordPress theme into a global business directory portal.\u00a0Pretty\u00a0exciting? Yeah!\u00a0\ud83d\ude4a\u00a0So was I, when I ended up creating a demo directory site with it in a few minutes.<\/p>\n

Let’s take a peek at the rich feature-set which GeoDirectory plugin has to offer to its users\u00a0\ud83c\udf89<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udce2\u00a0GeoDirectory \u2014 A Directory Plugin for WordPress<\/h2>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

GeoDirectory<\/a> is a fantastic plugin which lets you create a directory website in WordPress. It enables you to convert any WordPress theme into a business directory, and yes, its basic plugin is totally free.<\/p>\n

Folks from GeoDirectory have been around for almost six years now, and they specialize in developing remarkable directory plugins. They have put all of their efforts into developing GeoDirectory.<\/p>\n

GeoDirectory is easily scalable. It\u00a0can support millions of listings. You do not need to worry about the\u00a0amount of traffic. GeoDirectory has got you covered. It is a lightweight and efficient plugin.<\/p>\n

It is built to support any WordPress theme so that you can create a website with your favorite design. The developers of GeoDirectory took inspiration from WooCommerce, BuddyPress, and bbPress when they started building it.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udee0\u00a0Build A Directory Website<\/h2>\n

Let’s quickly set up a new directory website in a few steps. I have already installed a website on my localhost \u2014\u00a0geodirectory.dev<\/code>. Go ahead and set up one for yourself.<\/p>\n

\u2192 Step 1<\/h3>\n

Get started with the basic plugin setup from your WordPress dashboard. Search for GeoDirectory<\/strong>. Once found, install and activate the plugin.<\/p>\n

\n

\"GeoDirectory<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u2192 Step 2<\/h3>\n

You will be automatically redirected to the\u00a0settings page of\u00a0GeoDirectory<\/strong>. Next, you need to perform the following tasks.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Set the API key for the Google Maps.<\/li>\n
  2. Save a default location for GeoDirectory \u2014 City<\/strong>, Region<\/strong>, or Country.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Change the permalinks to\u00a0Post name<\/strong> on the settings page.<\/li>\n
  4. Change the homepage of the website to a static page generated by the plugin \u2014 GD Home Page<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    \"GeoDirectory<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \u2192 Step 3<\/h3>\n

    GeoDirectory has a starter theme \u2014 Directory Starter<\/a> \u2014 and a child theme \u2014 Supreme Directory<\/a>. Install both of them and activate Supreme Directory.<\/p>\n

    \n

    \"GeoDirectory<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \u2192 Step 4<\/h3>\n

    GeoDirectory lets you import dummy data to get you started. Let’s import data by going to GeoDirectory<\/strong> > General<\/strong> > Dummy Data<\/strong>. Click on the\u00a0Insert Data<\/strong> button in front of Places CPT and the process will begin.<\/p>\n

    \n

    \"GeoDirectory<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \ud83d\udc49 Note: It will take a few minutes to complete.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u2192 Step 5<\/h3>\n

    Now go to the menus page to add one to your website. Select\u00a0Primary Menu<\/strong> as its locations and save it. Now, browse to\u00a0GeoDirectory<\/strong> >\u00a0Design<\/strong> >\u00a0Navigation<\/strong> and under the first option, select\u00a0Primary Menu<\/strong> and save the options.<\/p>\n

    \n

    \"GeoDirectory<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \ud83c\udfaf\u00a0That’s it. Go to your website and check out a full-fledged directory site at your disposal which took only five steps to configure.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    \"GeoDirectory<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \ud83c\udf52 Features of GeoDirectory<\/h2>\n

    Let’s take a look at the features which makes it an ideal choice for a business directory website.<\/p>\n

    \u2714\ufe0e Location Based Directory<\/h3>\n
    \n

    \"GeoDirectory<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/div><\/span><\/p>\n

    GeoDirectory lets you create a directory based site around a single location<\/strong>. You can set it around a city, region or a country. It helps you to focus your business directory on the locations around this region.<\/p>\n

    You can also create a global directory<\/strong> using one of their premium add-ons<\/a> \u2014 more on this later.<\/p>\n

    \u2714\ufe0e Front-End Submission<\/h3>\n
    \n

    \"GeoDirectory<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Gone are the days when you needed to provide access to the dashboard of your website for property submissions.\u00a0GeoDirectory allows you to take submissions from the front-end<\/strong> of your website.<\/p>\n

    GeoDirectory uses a simple form to perform this operation. By default, a submission form is created when the plugin is installed. You can add more fields to this form using the form builder provider by GeoDirectory.<\/p>\n

    This form builder not only saves you from the hassle of coding the fields yourself but also allows you to add any type of field you want to add to your properties.<\/p>\n

    \u2714\ufe0e Google Maps Support<\/h3>\n
    \n

    \"GeoDirectory<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Google Maps is one of the most important components of a directory based website. GeoDirectory provides you with two widgets to integrate maps<\/strong> with your website.<\/p>\n