Directorist is not a dedicated real estate plugin, but its flexible custom field system and map integration make it capable of powering a property listings site. The advantage over dedicated real estate plugins is cost and flexibility – Directorist handles both property listings and agent profiles within one plugin rather than requiring a complex real estate-specific platform. The limitation is that it does not have MLS integration, mortgage calculators, or other real-estate-specific features out of the box.
Is Directorist the Right Choice for Real Estate?
Directorist is appropriate for a property listings directory where agents or landlords submit listings manually, the focus is on a specific geographic area rather than a national MLS-integrated platform, and you want control over the design and data without paying for an expensive dedicated real estate solution. It is not appropriate for a large national platform needing MLS data feeds, automated property valuations, or deep CRM integration. For a local agent’s listings site or a regional rental directory, Directorist covers the requirements at significantly lower cost than dedicated real estate platforms.
Step 1: Create Property-Specific Custom Fields
Go to Directorist -> Custom Fields. The default fields cover contact and location. Real estate listings need property-specific data. Create these fields:
- Property Type (Select) – House, Flat/Apartment, Studio, Bungalow, Terraced, Semi-Detached, Detached. Mark as filterable.
- Listing Type (Select) – For Sale, For Rent, For Let, Short Term Rental. Mark as filterable.
- Bedrooms (Number) – Mark as filterable with a range selector.
- Bathrooms (Number)
- Price (Number) – sale price or monthly rent. Mark as filterable with range.
- Floor Area (Number) – in square metres or square feet. Specify the unit in the field label.
- Garden (Checkbox) – yes/no. Mark as filterable.
- Parking (Select) – None, Garage, Driveway, Allocated Space. Mark as filterable.
- Energy Rating (Select) – A through G for EPC rating (relevant for UK properties).
- Available From (Date) – for rental properties.
- Property Reference (Text) – agent’s internal reference number for tracking.
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Step 2: Configure Property-Specific Directory Type
Go to Directorist -> Directory Types. Create a directory type specifically for properties rather than using the default. Name it “Properties” with singular label “Property”. In the submission form layout for this type, order fields logically for agents entering listings: listing type first, then property type, then bedrooms and bathrooms, then price, then floor area, then description, then address, then photos.
For the single listing display, order fields to match how property seekers browse: price prominently near the top, key attributes (bedrooms, bathrooms, floor area) visible above the fold, full description, then the map, then agent contact details at the bottom. Configure this layout in the directory type’s single listing template settings.
Step 3: Map and Postcode Configuration
For a real estate directory, the map is critical. Enable the map in Directorist -> Directory Types -> Edit -> Map Settings. Choose Google Maps (requires API key) for the most accurate UK postcode and address geocoding, or OpenStreetMap for a free alternative with slightly less precise geocoding.
The map view needs to show property clusters when zoomed out and individual properties when zoomed in. Configure marker clustering in Directorist’s map settings – without clustering, a map with 200 properties shows 200 overlapping pins, which is unusable. The clustering option groups nearby properties into a count badge that expands when clicked.
Step 4: Search and Filter Configuration
Property seekers filter by: location, listing type (buy vs rent), property type, bedroom count, and price range. These are the five filters that must be immediately visible and easy to use. Configure the search form in Directorist -> Directory Types -> Edit -> Search Form. Place these five filters at the top of the search form.
Secondary filters (garden, parking, energy rating) can be in an “Advanced Search” expandable section. Showing too many filters initially overwhelms users – reveal them progressively for those who need more granular searching.
Step 5: Agent Profiles
If agents are submitting listings rather than a single company running all entries, Directorist’s vendor registration system works as agent profiles. Each agent registers, creates a profile with their photo, agency name, contact details, and biography, and their listings are associated with their profile. Visitors viewing a property listing can see the agent’s profile and browse their other listings.
Create a separate directory type for Agent Profiles if you want agents to be searchable separately from properties. This adds a “Find an Agent” section to the site in addition to the property search, which is valuable for buyers who prefer to choose an agent first rather than searching by property.
Step 6: Monetisation Options for a Property Directory
Property directories monetise differently from general business directories. Per-listing fees are common for rental portals – landlords pay to list a property. Featured placement works for agent advertising – agents pay for prominent display across the site. Lead generation (charging agents per enquiry submitted through the site) is another model but requires tracking form submissions per agent.
For a small regional site, a simple subscription model for agents (monthly fee for unlimited listings) is the least friction approach. Agents are used to paying for portal presence and a local alternative to national portals can justify a subscription if it delivers leads.