Directorist is the most approachable of the major WordPress directory plugins. The core plugin is free, the interface is clean, and a standard business directory can be configured without touching code. This guide walks through the complete setup for a working directory that accepts public submissions and can monetise through paid listing plans.
Understanding Directorist’s Structure
Directorist organises everything through Directory Types – each type is essentially a separate listing format with its own fields, categories, and settings. A standard installation uses one directory type (All Listings or Business Directory). If you want to run multiple distinct directories on the same site (businesses + jobs + events), you create multiple directory types, each with its own field set and submission form.
This multi-type architecture is more flexible than most directory plugins, which force a single listing format across the site. However, it adds configuration steps – each type needs its own fields, categories, and pages assigned.
Step 1: Configure Your Directory Type
Go to Directorist -> Directory Types. Edit the default type or create a new one. Key settings per directory type:
- General – type name, singular/plural labels, whether submissions require login
- Map – enable/disable map display, select map provider (Google Maps or OpenStreetMap)
- Submission – which fields appear in the listing submission form and in what order
- Single listing – which fields appear on the individual listing page
- Moderation – whether new listings require admin approval
Step 2: Configure Custom Fields
Go to Directorist -> Custom Fields. The plugin includes standard fields (name, address, phone, website, description, hours, social links). Add custom fields for your niche – a restaurant directory might add cuisine type, price range, and outdoor seating. Field types available: text, textarea, URL, email, phone, number, date, select, radio, checkbox, file upload.
Drag fields into the submission form and single listing template layouts in the Directory Type settings. Fields not included in the layout are not shown to users even if they have data – always verify both the submission form and the public listing display include the fields you need.
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Step 3: Set Up Categories and Tags
Go to All Listings -> Categories -> Add New. Create your category hierarchy. Directorist categories are directory-type-specific – categories you create for one directory type do not appear in others. Upload an icon for each category (Directorist uses icon fonts by default, with image icon support available).
Tags work the same as WordPress tags – vendors add them when submitting listings. Tags are useful for search and filtering when categories are too broad to capture everything relevant. A photography studio listing in the “Creative Services” category might have tags like corporate, weddings, headshots.
Step 4: Map Configuration
Go to Directorist -> Settings -> Map. Directorist supports Google Maps and OpenStreetMap. Google Maps requires an API key from Google Cloud Console (Maps JavaScript API, Geocoding API, and Places API need to be enabled). OpenStreetMap is free and requires no API key but has less accurate geocoding for addresses.
For the address field on listing submission, configure whether to use a map click-to-place interface or a text address field with autocomplete. The autocomplete (using Google Places API) is more user-friendly for vendors submitting listings but requires the Places API enabled on your Google API key.
Step 5: Monetisation With Pricing Plans
The Directorist Pricing Plans extension (premium) lets you charge vendors for listing submissions. Go to Directorist -> Pricing Plans -> Add New Plan. Configure each plan with:
- Price and billing period (one-time or subscription)
- Number of listings allowed under this plan
- Listing duration before expiry
- Which features are included (featured listing badge, photos allowed, video allowed)
Payment processing integrates with WooCommerce – vendors add a plan to cart and check out. This means your existing WooCommerce payment gateway handles plan purchases. Configure the integration in Directorist -> Settings -> Monetisation.