Top 5 Best WordPress Directory Plugins in New Zealand

Finding the right WordPress directory plugin can be challenging, especially in a diverse market like New Zealand where businesses need to connect with local customers through tailored and effective online directories.

With so many plugins available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choices that may lack essential features, be difficult to customize, or fall short in delivering a seamless user experience. This can result in wasted time, money, and missed opportunities to establish a strong local presence.

Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the best WordPress directory plugins that cater to New Zealand’s market needs. These plugins offer robust features, flexibility, and user-friendly interfaces, making it easier than ever to create powerful directory websites that engage visitors and drive business growth.

Before reviewing the plugins, let’s know how you can weigh a WordPress directory plugin.

How You Can Weigh a WordPress Directory Plugin? 

Choosing the right WordPress directory plugin is crucial when you decide to create a directory website. So, how you can weigh the standard of a directory plugin? Here are some features that make a directory plugin lucrative.

ⅰ. Manage multiple directories on one platform

What if you could manage several types of directories from a single site? Multi directory option lets you manage and run multiple businesses from a single domain. This means you won’t need separate plugins or websites, saving time and money while scaling your business.

ⅱ. Customization flexibility     

All the listings won’t be listed in the same format. Whether it’s specific business details, services, or unique categories, With custom fields, you can personalize the directory listing and showcase exactly what you need.    

ⅲ. Effortless frontend submission    

Another great feature you should closely look at is to submit listings directly from the front end. Users won’t need any technical knowledge or access to your backend. This makes the process super smooth, encouraging more listings. When users can easily list the offerings without hassle, meaning you’re growing your directory business.  

ⅳ. Simplify payment gateway integration 

Whether it is a classified site or local directories simplified payment gateway plays a vital role. Popular payment gateways like Paypal, Stripe, etc are widely recognized. Ensure the WordPress directory plugin is compatible with the major gateways. So, collecting any type of fee is not a hassle anymore.

v.  Assistance whenever required

Mistakes or errors can happen! Choose a plugin that provides excellent customer support to ensure you have someone to turn to for help with any issues or questions. Regardless of the error type, constant assistance keeps your directory running smoothly and efficiently.

5 Best WordPress Directory Plugins in New Zealand 

When considering WordPress directory plugins in New Zealand, the top options combine flexibility, ease of use, and strong support. Here are five of the best plugins that cater to different directory website needs.

1. Directorist

Directorist is the most complete and versatile WordPress directory plugin for directory business enthusiasts. Regardless of your experience, anyone can create, edit, and manage a directory business without needing any code. The WordPress plugin is a perfect choice for business listings, classified ads, and local directories.

Directorist is packed with amazing features. With front-end submission, users can submit listings right from your website. It doesn’t require administrative permissions to get started with listing submission. 

Another magnificent aspect is you can monetize your site by charging for listings or offering featured placements. Mainly, this is a primary source of getting from listing owners. The multi-directory option allows you to run different types of directories on one domain, whether it’s a business directory or classified ads.

But that’s not all. The sky doesn’t limit you. Directorist is expanding wings limitlessly.  A new Directorist version 8.0 is coming, packed with groundbreaking features. The new AI-powered feature lets you create a directory within minutes. Sounds good right? It’s not end yet. Bricks builder,  minimalist user interface, and listing submission search alerts are a few of them and many more to unleash yet.

In short. Directorist is a complete solution for any sort of directory business. You should not worried about the limited investment, Directorist endless features let you create businesses in no time.

Additional Features

• Compatible with any WordPress themes like Pixetiq, Avada, Divi, Astra, and OceanWP. 
• Booking and appointment extension supported 
• Mailchimp integration to manage email database 
• Customized pricing plans to offer tiered subscription plans for listing 
• Coupon code management to convert leads to conversion 
• Listings can be marked as sold to ensure smooth navigation for visitors  
• Design directory with 25+ Elementor widgets
  

2. Business Directory Plugin 

Business Directory Plugin lets you create any sort of directory type. The core feature is enough to create directories whatever you want.  The key strength of the Business Directory Plugin is its multi-tiered directory structure, which allows users to create detailed and organized directories. Businesses having more products and services can categorize listings in a clear and user-friendly manner.  With this WordPress directory plugin, you can create customizable form fields.

Another special feature is mobile responsiveness. It ensures that your directory looks great on any device. Creating directories with the core features is simple and easy with the business directory plugin. If you need a feature-packed solution from monetization to advanced customization, a business directory plugin is the way to go. 

Additional Features

• Shortcodes to display directory listing on any preferred pages
• Create categories and subcategories for 
• Anniversary and Birthday Emails  improved the organization 
• Analyze listing performance from listing dashboards

3. Connections Business Directory 

The Connections Business Directory offers versatile extensions to create to enhance your directory’s functionality. It offers key features including CSV Import for bulk listing uploads, customizable templates to personalize your directory’s look, and a contact form for direct communication for visitors and businesses.

The SEO Pack increases visibility and Tile Plus provides better organization and a modern layout. With the Widget Pack, you can showcase featured or recent listings, social media feeds or icons,  search bar in the sidebar, and many more.

Additional Features

• Income opportunities to monetize your site  
• ROT13 Email Encryption to prevent spambots  
• Anniversary and Birthday Emails  
• Login Extension to authenticate user access 
• Link Extension to provide business links  

4. Advanced Classified & Directory Pro 

Advanced Classifieds and Directory Pro is another simple WordPress directory plugin designed for directory and classified websites. It offers multiple features like unlimited custom fields, multi-directory support to manage diverse categories, and front-end submission to manage listing with ease. Most importantly the plugin is SEO optimized and includes customizable email notifications.

Additional Features

• Online and offline payment gateway
• Fully functional Google Map integration 
• Generate recurring payments for listings  
• Facility to upload video from YouTube and Vimeo  
• Create custom widgets for any pages  

5. Hivepress

HivePress is a fantastic option if you’re looking to create a marketplace or job board. It focuses on offering minimalistic and modern themes that make your site look clean and professional. This WordPress directory plugin is beginner-friendly and customizable without needing technical expertise.   

One of HivePress’s standout features is its custom vendor profiles, which allow users to create detailed profiles for sellers or service providers. This is ideal for marketplaces where vendors need to showcase their offerings.

For the users, it is also useful to find the best vendor out of the market. Additionally, HivePress includes favorite listing lists, letting users save and revisit their preferred listings later. The vendor search filter makes it easy for visitors to find exactly what they’re looking for.  

If you want to create a sleek, modern marketplace or job board with advanced features but without the complexity, HivePress is an excellent choice. 

Additional Features

• Marketplace functionality to link versatile vendors 
• Create categories and subcategories for 
• Search alerts for any new listing submissions 
• Job board integration to allow employers to post an announcement

Turn Your Directory Website into a Revenue Stream in New Zealand 

Monetizing your directory website is a wonderful feature for directory purposes. With this plugin, you can charge for paid listing, premium placement, classified ads, and many more. Many directory plugins offer the same but with Directorist, you can take your directory website to the next level in multiple ways. Here we have selected Directorist that suits any directory listing businesses. 

Paid Listings allow businesses to pay for enhanced visibility, ensuring their services reach more potential customers. Even you can feature your listing with badges in designated areas. With Membership Plans, you can create tiered packages including exclusive perks, making it easy for businesses to see the value of investing in higher visibility.

Claim listings, allow the users to take ownership of their listing within the directory. It involves listing verification, enhancing features, and control over the content. Charging for a claim listing means you allow the directory owner to generate revenue with additional features.  control over their content while generating revenue for you. Plus, if your directory supports bookings or sales, you can earn a percentage for each transaction made through a directory platform. 

Final Words

Choosing the best WordPress directory plugin is crucial for beginners. However, each plugin offers several functionalities and features. We have reviewed Directorist, Business Directory Plugin,  Connections Business Directory, and Advanced Classified & Directory Pro, HivePress, all are specialized in different avenues. Directorist offers a complete solution where Hivepress offers versatile themes and the remaining plugins cover core functionalities.

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