{"id":3650,"date":"2018-03-08T14:07:56","date_gmt":"2018-03-08T09:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedevcouple.com\/?p=3650"},"modified":"2018-03-19T21:01:29","modified_gmt":"2018-03-19T16:01:29","slug":"listingpro-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedevcouple.com\/listingpro-review\/","title":{"rendered":"ListingPro Review \u2013 Top Selling WordPress Directory Theme"},"content":{"rendered":"

People looking for the best services and enterprises investing to promote their businesses has resulted in tons of directory startups. These startups cover every listing stuff \u2013 food, restaurants, bars, shopping malls, clubs, jobs, home services, or anything \u2013 you name it. <\/span>Yelp, <\/span>FourSquare, and <\/span>Zomato are a few of the directory startups worth mentioning.<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/strong>dvanced search<\/b>, <\/span>user experience design<\/b>, <\/span>performance<\/b>, and <\/span>proper listings <\/b>are a few factors which\u00a0contribute to the success of a directory listing<\/span>. While searching a WordPress directory theme for a client, I encountered this amazing theme\u00a0<\/span>ListingPro<\/b><\/a>. With ListingPro, creating a site like Yelp is just a couple of clicks away.<\/span><\/p>\n

After using ListingPro for a while now, I\u2019m quite overwhelmed to share this incredible theme with you. In this extensive review, I\u2019ll be diving into the features which makes it a best-selling WordPress directory theme. Let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Main-Image-ListingPro\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\u26a1 ListingPro<\/span><\/h2>\n

ListingPro<\/span><\/a> is a premium WordPress directory theme developed by the super awesome developers at <\/span>Cridio<\/a>. The company houses a team of WordPress passionates like Sam<\/a>, Imran<\/a>, and Naseer<\/a> with <\/span>expertise in the <\/span>directory listing<\/b>, <\/span>video sharing<\/b>, and <\/span>classified <\/b>themes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udc51<\/p>\n

ListingPro was launched in April last year and made 5<\/strong><\/span>000+<\/b> sales<\/strong> in less than one year. Also, it bragged the Bestseller 2017 Award<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/b>in<\/span> directory and listings <\/b>category on ThemeForest<\/span>. It also made a record of making <\/span>180+<\/b> sales <\/b>within <\/span>78<\/b> hours of its launch in directory niche.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Till now, it has gone through <\/span>30 updates<\/b>, which shows seriousness and concern of the developers. Check out the update log at <\/span>ThemeForest<\/span><\/a>. So, kind of pretty awesome stuff by Cridio folks. \ud83d\udc4f<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\ud83d\udc49\u00a0ListingPro uses <\/span>WPBakery<\/strong> <\/a>as a page builder to provide drag and drop page building functionality. WPBakery is a premium WordPress page builder but comes in the package with ListingPro for free. <\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49\u00a0For the backend, ListingPro doesn\u2019t use the native WordPress API to provide options and settings. Instead, it uses <\/span>Redux Framework<\/b><\/a> to provide a unique settings experience which is totally fine. In fact, most of the themes at ThemeForest including some big names like Avada relies on Redux for Theme Options.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, It was great to check this out. \ud83d\udcaf<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Pricing<\/span><\/h2>\n

ListingPro is exclusively available on<\/span> ThemeForest for $69<\/b><\/a>.\u00a0it includes future updates and up to 6 months support<\/strong>. You can additionally buy <\/span>12 months support for $21.38<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ListingPro-on-ThemeForest\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\ud83c\udf55 Features<\/span><\/h2>\n

ListingPro is jam-packed with tons of incredible features. I will try to cover most of the features that make it stand out from a directory theme perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Smart Search <\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the primary features of a directory theme is search capability. The more you streamline the search process, better will be the user experience. The search options which this theme offers, are literally dope. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2753 What you want to search \u2013 food, restaurants, real estate, etc. Or just skip it and search for every listing for a particular location.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd1e Where<\/strong> you need the listings? It includes <\/span>auto detect location feature as well as allow manual entry. <\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd0d\u00a0Advanced Filter Options:<\/strong> You can filter your result through advanced filter options. It includes filtering by <\/span>open hours, near you, by price, by category.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc53\u00a0Sorting Options:<\/strong> You can sort the results by its <\/span>views, <\/span>reviews, and <\/span>ratings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf0f\u00a0Google Maps:<\/strong> Last but not least is, it provides you the location of a particular listing on Google Maps.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u2192 Listing Features<\/span><\/h3>\n

ListingPro offers a great variety of listing features. It includes almost every detail that you can think of.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddbc\u00a0Video & Gallery: You can add a <\/span>YouTube video and even <\/span>image gallery to describe your listing.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddd2\u00a0Description:<\/strong> Describe your listing in as much detail as you want.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccc FAQs:<\/strong> Ability to add FAQs regarding the listing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udff7\u00a0Price Range:<\/strong> You can add your price ranges to perform better at search results.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2705\u00a0Verified Listing:<\/strong> If you\u2019re a business owner, you can <\/span>claim ownership to <\/span>add more authenticity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcc7\u00a0Contact Details:<\/strong> You may add contact details including <\/span>email, <\/span>contact number, <\/span>WhatsApp number, <\/span>website, and <\/span>social media handlers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u23f0\u00a0Multiple Working Hours:<\/strong>\u00a0In its recent update, multiple working hours feature was introduced. It lets you add <\/span>multiple working hours for a single day. <\/span>For example, it allows you to add working hours like 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and then 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for a single day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddfa\u00a0Google Maps:<\/strong> You can manually add longitude and latitude or pinpoint the location on maps to add in the listing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udde3\u00a0Reviews:<\/strong> Users can add reviews to your listings and even report if something looks wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out GIF of a sample listing which I created with ListingPro.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2192 Monetization<\/span><\/h3>\n

ListingPro provides an <\/span>end to end directory solution<\/b>. This means advertisers\/business owners can join your directory and get their own dashboard to handle the things.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now the thing here is, you can offer <\/span>free<\/b> as well as <\/span>paid<\/b> listings<\/b>. For the paid listings, you can <\/span>offer different packages<\/b>. Users can choose from the packages and post their listings. ListingPro allows payments through <\/span>Paypal<\/b> and <\/span>Stripe<\/b> out of the box.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u2192 Intuitive Dashboard <\/span><\/h3>\n

ListingPro provides a minimal and intuitive personal dashboard to your users. In their dashboard, users can see <\/span>stats<\/b>, <\/span>reviews<\/b> on their listings, <\/span>invoices, packages<\/b> they have subscribed,<\/span>\u00a0and see <\/span>saved<\/b> listings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u2192 Simplified Listing Submission<\/span><\/h3>\n

Submitting a listing with ListingPro is as simple as it can get. Click on the <\/span>Add Listing<\/b> button in the top left corner, add the details, drag and drop images, and you\u2019re done. \ud83c\udfaf<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u2192 Translation Ready<\/span><\/h3>\n

ListingPro contains the <\/span>.pot<\/i><\/b> which you need to get started with translation. In short, it supports translation to other languages.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"WPML-config-file-in-Noor\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\u2192 Documentation<\/span><\/h3>\n

As far as theme documentation is concerned, then ListingPro has decently covered this part as well. They are offering a well-consolidated<\/strong> Help Center<\/a> to its customers from where they can seek guidance about their queries.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcaf\u00a0Another unique feature which I really liked about their documentation is the way they have created sections for query types. People can easily get directed to\u00a0Knowledge Base, Video Tutorials<\/strong> or Help Desk<\/strong> according to their queries.<\/p>\n

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

Also, if you visit the YouTube channel of ListingPro you\u2019ll find a complete <\/span>playlist of tutorials<\/span><\/a>\u00a0on it. It contains <\/span>14 videos<\/b> to help you get started with ListingPro.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\ud83d\udd25 Setting Up\u00a0ListingPro<\/span><\/h2>\n

Considering the fact that ListingPro<\/a> is an all-purpose WordPress listing theme. Its setup is pretty much simple and straightforward. Follow the quick steps below to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Step #1<\/span><\/h3>\n

Go to WordPress dashboard and navigate to <\/span>Appearance > Themes > Add New<\/b>. Click <\/span>Upload Theme <\/b>button, select the <\/span>.zip<\/b> theme file, install, and activate it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Install-Noor-Theme\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\u2192 Step #2<\/span><\/h3>\n

After activation, it will take you through a quick settings wizard. It will install required <\/span>plugins <\/b>and import <\/span>dummy content\u00a0<\/b>on your site. All the <\/span>required plugins are built in<\/b>, you don\u2019t need to purchase or install them manually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, just two steps and your site is ready. \ud83d\ude80<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Setting-Up-Process\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\u2192 Step #3<\/span><\/h3>\n

ListingPro adds a couple of menus in the dashboard to <\/span>manage data <\/b>and a <\/span>theme settings <\/b>menu. Theme settings menu contains a very long submenu for different settings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u2699 Adding a Listing<\/span><\/h2>\n

Follow quick steps below to add a listing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Step #1<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can add listing from the dashboard or from the frontend. If you’re not adding as an admin then first you need to be a member<\/span>. Click on the Join Now<\/strong> button and Register\u00a0<\/strong>yourself<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"New-User\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\u2192 Step #2<\/span><\/h3>\n

Go to your dashboard and then <\/span>Listings > Add New \u00a0<\/b>Add title, description, images, and all the other details. Once you\u2019re done, hit <\/span>Publish <\/b>button.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Adding-a-new-listing\"<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n

And your listing is live. So, with ListingPro adding a new listing is just two steps away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Added-Listing\"<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n

Check out the GIF in features sections to see how to add listing from the frontend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd14 Is It A Perfect Theme?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s pretty amazing to see what ListingPro has to offer and what it has achieved during a short span of its life. <\/span>Tons of <\/span>sales<\/b>, <\/span>honors<\/b>, pretty long <\/span>changelog<\/b>, and <\/span>a major update on the way<\/b>. However, there are certain <\/span>grey areas <\/b>which need attention. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Redux Framework<\/h3>\n

I have mentioned earlier, ListingPro uses Redux Framework for its backend settings’ design over native WordPress API<\/strong>. It\u2019s pretty fast<\/strong> and quite good for prototyping<\/strong> and testing<\/strong>. If you check it\u2019s <\/span>GitHub repository<\/span><\/a> it has an ample community and growing well.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

But the question here is, is it really a good idea to use a <\/span>third party framework over native API in a mature product like ListingPro? I mean how do they plan to cope up with the updates and new functionalities in the core?<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\"ListingPro-Settings\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\u2192 Documentation<\/h3>\n

ListingPro offers quite a good documentation. But if you go through the videos, you\u2019ll find out some significant inconsistencies. Not all videos are recorded by the same person, the difference<\/b> in quality<\/b>, missing voice-overs<\/b>, and use of bad quality of mic<\/b> in few videos.<\/span><\/p>\n

I can understand that startups struggle in the start, but when you have achieved this much should not you improve it? Through quality documentation, you definitely build a credible user base and save them from a lot of efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Settings<\/span><\/h3>\n

The users’ dashboard of ListingPro is pretty awesome. Here,<\/span>\u00a0you\u2019ll find two type of settings<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>Sample Options and <\/span>Theme Options. At first, they are little confusing, theme options are the actual theme settings, while sample options look more like documentation for customizing the theme.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The good thing is, once you figure out these little things, you will realize <\/span>features <\/b>and <\/span>performance <\/b>of ListingPro <\/span>outclass <\/b>all these <\/span>shortcomings<\/b>. ListingPro has not yet reached its anniversary, things are evolving and I hope folks at Cridio might be considering these things. <\/span><\/p>\n

Another thing is, with Gutenberg is coming to the core soon, it could be just the right time to refactor the codebase.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udd95 UPDATE: ListingPro v1.3<\/h2>\n

Also, while talking to Sam, he told that the team is working towards a major theme update which they plan to release by the end of April which also marks the first anniversary for ListingPro. It’s going to be version 1.3 for ListingPro and some key highlights of the beta version include:<\/span><\/p>\n