Welcome to Business Directory Plugin and thank you for choosing the most popular directory plugin for WordPress. This Quick Start Guide will walk you through the essential first steps to take after installing the plugin.
You can have a completely functional Directory for your site right out of the box! Follow our easy setup steps below.
Information for All Users
If you haven’t already installed Business Directory Plugin, please refer to the installation instructions. If you're still in the decision-making stage and want to know more about how Business Directory Plugin works, have a look at this quick overview video.
Business Directory Plugin works very well out of the box with the default settings, however, the steps below will guide you through some important configuration settings that every site owner should follow.
Business Directory Plugin is split into two types of modules–the core plugin, called “Business Directory Lite” available on WP.org for free, and the premium plans, which include various modules that add additional functionality and can be purchased from us. The core plugin always stays the same, regardless of whether you have purchased the premium plans. All users, including premium plan-holders, need the core plugin.
Once you have the plugin installed, follow the next steps to get started!
STEP 1 – Name Your Directory
Adding a name to your directory is a smart first step. Ideally, you won’t change this later because that can negatively impact SEO. Here's our Directory Naming Guide if you want more help with planning this.
STEP 2 – Add Categories
Categories drive your directory searches and the organization of your site, making listings super easy to find. Your category names can also be used to make your directory SEO friendly by using keywords that your website users may search. Here's our Categories Guide to show you how to do this.
STEP 3 – Add/Edit Fields
Provide a truly custom user experience by adding fields that are specific to your directory. A directory of dentists will likely have different fields from a directory of Concert Venues, for example. Check out our Form Fields Guide!
STEP 4 – Add Fee Plans & Payment Method
If you are accepting payments for listings, how much will listings cost and how will users pay? There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a payment gateway, so be sure to have a look at our Payment Setup Guide.
Additional Information for Plan-Holders
If you have purchased a premium plan, follow this final, easy step in addition to the steps above.
STEP 5 – Install the Premium Module
You'll love how easy it is to set everything up with Business Directory Plugin! Here's your Plan Setup Guide where you can install and activate new modules super fast.
Monitor new listings
— Premium Feature —
Business Directory Plugin has a quick and easy way to see new listings in the WordPress Dashboard. On the WordPress Dashboard, the most recent listings will be viewable and clickable, giving you the information you need to see how your directory is growing!
Not a plan holder yet? Check out the premium plans to add more features to your directory site today.
Recommended articles to explore next:
- Check out our tutorials for specific directory types
- Consider a theme to beautify your directory pages
- Browse the Knowledge Base
- Visit and get notifications from our Blog
- Learn marketing tips on our blog